Suu Kyi key to Myanmar dialogue, pa

[byva@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Suu Kyi key to Myanmar dialogue, party says 
              Wednesday, August 19, 1998

              By Aung Hla Tun 

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's opposition said on Wednesday it had told the
military government that formal talks must include its charismatic leader Aung
San Suu Kyi, who spent an eighth day in a roadside protest. 

National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman Aung Shwe and the powerful head
of military intelligence and senior government member Khin Nyunt met in Yangon
on Tuesday, the first meeting between the government and opposition in more
than a year. 

              As they met, Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace laureate,remained
stuck in a minivan on a country bridge 32 km (20 miles) southwest of the
capital. 

She has been there since August 12, having been prevented from driving to
western Myanmar and having refused to return to Yangon. 

              NLD Vice Chairman Tin Oo termed Tuesday's meeting informal. 
``It was not dialogue. The NLD stated clearly and decided by a democratic vote
that no dialogue could take place without Aung San Suu Kyi being present,'' he
said in a statement. 

The government offered talks with the NLD on August 7 but the party turned
them down as they would have excluded Suu Kyi. 

Neither side has revealed what they discussed on Tuesday but the government
said it would hold a news briefing at 10 a.m. (0330GMT) on Thursday which
local sources said was expected to address the confrontation. 

Khin Nyunt said he hoped Tuesday's ``fruitful'' meeting would begin a series
of confidence-building talks with the NLD. 

Diplomats say Suu Kyi's protest has highlighted her lack of freedom of
movement and an NLD demand that a parliament of members elected in 1990
elections be convened by Friday. 

The NLD won the poll but the government ignored the result. 

A commentary carried in all three state newspapers on Wednesday appeared to
hold out an olive branch, hinting Suu Kyi might be able to participate in the
``national task.'' 

``I hope that if she has a clear and objective view on holding a dialogue with
the government, the people's desires and the government's nation-building
endeavors, the entire public and
              the...government will wholeheartedly welcome her approach to
              participate in the national task,'' it said. 

              But in recent days state newspapers and the government have
              appeared to blow hot and cold toward the opposition. 

              The same commentary accused Suu Kyi of ``trying to corner the
              nation'' by demanding parliament be convened and embarrass it
              overseas by staging her protests. It also accused her of trying
to
              whip up anti-government sentiment in the countryside. 

              A Monday commentary called the NLD the ``Number One
              Enemy.'' 

              The government has ignored the NLD's call for a parliament and
              has ridiculed Suu Kyi's protest by sending gifts. 

              It described Suu Kyi's protest in a statement on Wednesday as a
              camping visit at ``a small but scenic village a few miles
outside
              Yangon...alongside a gently flowing stream.'' 

              ``For their comfort and enjoyment during the camping visit, the
              government has provided a beach umbrella, garden chairs, a
              makeshift bathroom and audio tapes of religious sermons and
              pop music including Madonna and Michael Jackson,'' it said. 

              ``Local villagers and officials said Ms Suu Kyi has been
somewhat
              reclusive. She has been spending most of her time inside her
              air-conditioned camper reading novels and listening to music and
              the news.'' 

              It said it had arranged for Suu Kyi's doctor to visit her daily.
The
              NLD confirmed the doctor visited her on Tuesday. 

              After a similar six-day standoff last month, which was forcibly
              ended by the military, Suu Kyi suffered dehydration and had to
              rest for several days. ^REUTERS@ 

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