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AFP- Italian journalist Deported



Italian journalist turned away from Myanmar

       Mon 17 Aug 98 - 16:00 GMT 

       BANGKOK, Aug 17 (AFP) - An Italian journalist was turned back at
Yangon's international airport by military
       authorities who accused him of using an improper way of entry,
official Myanmar media reported Monday.

       Belgium-based Maurizio Giouliano was refused entry to Myanmar after
arriving at Yangon airport on Sunday, TV
       Myanmar said in a broadcast monitored here.

       "He was found to have falsely stated his occupation as a student in
his visa application," it said.

       He was found to have failed to apply for the proper standard
journalist visa, according to the report.

       It was the Italian national's second trip to Yangon this month, the
report said.

       "We know they are here," a junta official told AFP, referring to
numerous foreign reporters travelling to Myanmar.
       "They can come once, they can come twice but after that they won't
come back again."

       Last weekend authorities deported 18 foreign pro-democracy activists
after suspending five-year prison sentences on
       them on charges of attempting to incite unrest in the country.

       The 18 were detained on August 9 for handing out leaflets promoting
democracy and human rights.



          ©AFP 1998