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AUNG SAN SUU KYI PLANS SONS' VISIT



BURMA
Source:ABC

Suu Kyi plans sons' visit
Date: 09/04/99



Bangkok: The Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked foreign
diplomats to remain at arms length from behind-the-scenes attempts to secure
visas for her sons, Alexander and Kim, to visit.

"She wants it treated essentially as a family and private matter," said a
source in Rangoon. "Publicity would not help." The move to secure the visas
follows international criticism of the ruling military regime for refusing
permission for Suu Kyi's gravely ill husband, Oxford academic Dr Michael
Aris, to travel to Burma.

He died in Britain from cancer on March 27.

A number of foreign governments said at the time that Mr Alexander Aris, 25,
and Mr Kim Aris, 21, should be allowed to visit their mother on
compassionate grounds. 

Suu Kyi disclosed last week that her sons had urged her to visit her husband.

She had not done so because she feared the military rulers would not have
allowed her back into Burma.

Foreign observers are optimistic her sons will be given visas. "Their
position is different from Michael Aris because he openly supported Suu Kyi
politically whereas the boys have never been actively involved," one foreign
resident in Rangoon said.

- Craig Skehan