VOA-Burma Union day celebration on

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Subject: VOA-Burma Union day celebration on two ways

DATE=2/12/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245447
TITLE=BURMA /  UNION DAY (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GERALDINE CARROLL
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  THE HEAD OF BURMA'S MILITARY COUNCIL ISSUED A SHARP
ATTACK ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS FRIDAY AS THE COUNTRY CELEBRATED A  HOLIDAY
DEDICATED TO NATIONAL UNITY. GERALDINE CARROLL HAS A  REPORT FROM BANGKOK.

TEXT:   GENERAL THAN SHWE, HEAD OF BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT,  CALLED FOR
THE ANNIHILATION OF THE OPPOSITION, SAYING IT IS  ATTEMPTING TO DISRUPT
STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

THE GENERAL'S COMMENTS WERE MADE IN A SPEECH  COMMEMORATING  NATIONAL UNION
DAY IN BURMA. THE REMARKS WERE READ IN PUBLIC BY A MILITARY AIDE IN RANGOON.
UNION DAY MARKS THE SIGNING OF THE  AGREEMENT BETWEEN BURMA'S MAJORITY AND
MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS,  WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO BURMA'S INDEPENDENCE FROM
BRITAIN.  THE  PACT WAS ENGINEERED BY DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S
FATHER, GENERAL AUNG SAN.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI WAS REPORTED BY THE FRENCH PRESS AGENCY TO HAVE  MARKED THE
DAY BY DISTRIBUTING FREE RICE TO A CROWD OF PEOPLE  OUTSIDE HER NATIONAL
LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY PARTY HEADQUARTERS.  IN THE PAST, THE N-L-D HAS HELD
LARGE GATHERINGS FOR UNION DAY, BUT  THE PARTY HAS RECENTLY COME UNDER
INCREASED PRESSURE, WITH NEARLY ONE THOUSAND MEMBERS DETAINED AND THE FORCED
RESIGNATIONS OF
THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.

FRIDAY'S HARSH ATTACK BY GENERAL THAN SHWE ON OPPONENTS HE SAYS  ARE BOTH
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, WAS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS  DENUNCIATIONS.
BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS HAVE ACCUSED AUNG SAN  SUU KYI OF CONSPIRING WITH
FOREIGN POWERS TO OVERTHROW THE  GOVERNMENT.

THOUSANDS OF BURMESE WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE TO THE STREETS ACROSS  THE NATION
FRIDAY IN COMMEMORATIONS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.  SECURITY WAS
REPORTEDLY TIGHTENED TO DETER ANTI-GOVERNMENT  PROTESTS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/GFC/GPT/FC/GE

12-Feb-99 7:16 AM EST (1216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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