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27/8/98:AAP NEWS--DASSK TO RECEIVE
AAP NEWS
27/8/98: DASSK TO RECEIVE PEACE AWARD FROM MELB.UNI.
28/8/98: NLD TELL REGIME TO FREE OFFICIALS.
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BURMA-MELBOURNE VIC: BURMESE PEACE ACTIVIST TO RECEIVE
MELBOURNE AWARD
DATE: 14:34 27-Aug-98
VIC: BURMESE PEACE ACTIVIST TO RECEIVE MELBOURNE
AWARD BURMA MELBOURNE (MELBOURNE)
Burma's Nobel laureate opposition leader, AUNG SAN SUU KYI
(PRON: Ahng Sahn Soo Chee) is to receive an award in
absentia from the University of Melbourne for her public
service next month.
53-year-old SUU KYI has become an international symbol of
the peaceful struggle for democracy and human rights.
Earlier this week she ended a 13-day roadside stand-off
with the military government over her right to travel outside
Rangoon for health reasons.
The University of Melbourne says SUU KYI's husband, Dr
MICHAEL ARIS, will accept an honorary Doctor of Laws on
his wife's behalf in the university's Wilson Hall on
September 5.
AAP RTV hmg/ra/rft/jn
BURMA ASIA: SUU KYI'S PARTY TELLS REGIME TO FREE OFFICIALS
DATE: 21:22 28-Aug-98
ASIA: SUU KYI'S PARTY TELLS REGIME TO FREE OFFICIALS
BURMA (CARRIED EARLIER)
RANGOON, Burma Aug 28 AP - Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's
party demanded today that the government free seven
members detained two weeks ago when they tried to check
up on their leader during her latest roadside standoff against
authorities.
The National League for Democracy also demanded that
the military government give Suu Kyi back her car, one of the
vehicles the seven had been using. Its absence could make
further attempted trips out of Rangoon more difficult.
Suu Kyi, 53, spent 13 days in a mini-van on bridge 32
kilometres outside of Rangoon, blocked by authorities from going
further to meet party members in the provinces. She returned
to her home Monday amid fears for her health.
The detained party members include two women. The NLD said
their detention shows that the authorities used excessive
power and shows that they bear a grudge against the people.
One of Suu Kyi's colleagues reported that her health has
improved after the gruelling sit-in.
"Her blood pressure is back to normal and her health has
improved," said NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo.
"She is still under medical care and is resting."
Tin Oo said that more than 200 party members came to see her
at her home yesterday.
An official commentary attacked foreign diplomats today for
allegedly sympathising with Suu Kyi and the NLD.
"In any diplomatic relations there exist diplomatic ethics
as prescribed in the Geneva Convention," said the Mirror
newspaper.
The commentary accused diplomats of aiding and abetting
anti-government organisations, refusing to call the country
Myanmar instead of Burma, and having a negative outlook toward
the host country.
The generals who came to power in 1988 after quelling an
uprising against military rule changed the country's official name
from Burma to Myanmar. The opposition refuses to recognise the
change, claiming it was illegal.
The commentary came a day after the government claimed it
wants substantive talks with the opposition. The US Embassy
said that it was sceptical the government was serious.
Despite rhetoric about dialogue, the government continues to
attach conditions that would keep Suu Kyi, recognised in the
country and abroad as the leader of the pro-democracy opposition,
from taking part in any meetings.
International human rights groups, the United States, the
European Union and Japan, and some of Burma's regional
neighbours have all urged a dialogue with her to ease
political tensions.
But the government has failed to move toward democratisation,
instead engaging in heavy-handed repression of dissent.
Suu Kyi and the NLD have also been putting low-level but
concerted pressure on the government to release political
prisoners and convene a pro-democracy parliament whose members
were elected in 1990 but never allowed to convene.
The ruling State Peace and Development Council has been
stressing that the NLD's recently announced plan to unilaterally
call the parliament would upset attempts to hold a dialogue.
At the same time, its briefings to foreign diplomats about
the situation have included threats to arrest opposition members
and to declare Suu Kyi's party illegal.
AP bjm