Three foreign journalists detained

[byva@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Three foreign journalists detained in Myanmar ahead of Suu Kyi interview

       Tue 01 Sep 98 - 12:05 GMT ÿ


       YANGON, Sept 1 (AFP) - Three foreign journalists were detained in ÿ
the
Myanmar capital, Yangon, Tuesday as
       they prepared to interview opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, forÿ
eign
diplomats said.

       The three -- an Australian, a Canadian and a Japanese -- all belieÿ
ved
to be cameramen, were detained near the
       Nobel peace laureate's house by intelligence agents, they added.

       They were to be deported to Bangkok on a flight later Tuesday.

       "They are just going to be deported," said one foreign diplomat.

       "We'll be at the airport to make sure everything goes alright."

       The Australian was believed to be a woman while the other two wereÿ
 men.
The Australian and Canadian were
       understood to be working for two international media groups on a
freelance basis. The employment status of the
       Japanese was unclear. All three were travelling on tourist visas, ÿ
the
diplomats said.

       Rising political tensions have focussed attention on Myanmar in reÿ
cent
weeks and several foreign journalists
       travelling on tourist visas have been briefly detained or questionÿ
ed by
security forces.

       However junta officials have generally taken a tolerant line and aÿ

spokesman said the journalists would be left alone
       but could not expect to be allowed to return to Myanmar as they haÿ
d
been easily identified during their trips.

       Two other foreign journalists -- one French and one Italian -- werÿ
e
deported last month.

                                                                         ÿ
     ÿ

          ©AFP 1998

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