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BBC-Burma marks Union Day



Friday, February 12, 1999 Published at 11:19 GMT

World: Asia-Pacific

Burma marks Union Day

The Burmese military government has threatened strong action against its
opponents during ceremonies to mark Union Day, the anniversary of a
pre-independence agreement with the country's ethnic minorities.

The chairman of the military government, Than Shwe, called for the
annihilation of destructive forces at home and abroad.

Hundreds of people gathered at the headquarters of the Democracy leader,
Aung San Suu-kyi, who handed out rice to the crowd.

She made no speech.

But a spokesman for the movement in Bangkok said the party had remained
strong despite the forced resignation of many of its members in recent
months.

>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service