SCMP-Media dampen hopes on rights

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South China Morning Post
Tuesday, August 3, 1999
BURMA

Media dampen hopes on rights
REUTERS in Rangoon
Australia's human rights commissioner met junta officials in Rangoon
yesterday to explore forming an independent rights organisation in Burma.
But as Chris Sidoti began his mission, official media dampened hopes for a
softening of treatment of the opposition National League for Democracy
(NLD).

Newspapers accused its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, of "brazenly spoiling
peace" and reiterated a call for legal action against her.

Mr Sidoti met Interior Minister Colonel Tin Hlaing to discuss the proposal
for a commission similar to the one set up in Indonesia in the early 1990s
during the regime of former president Suharto.

Mr Sidoti is also expected to meet opposition leaders before he leaves Burma
tomorrow.

In announcing the mission last week, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer said Rangoon had yet to decide how the body he first proposed last
year would work.

Ms Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed doubts it will be independent. Human
rights activists are also sceptical.

A commentary in two newspapers signed by "An Advocate" accused the NLD of
destroying national reconciliation.

"[Aung San] Suu Kyi especially is brazenly spoiling peace," it said.

"She is cutting the union into pieces so the neo-colonialists can swallow it
piece by piece after its disintegration. Once she succeeds in her work, the
union will be in bloodshed."

She should no longer be tolerated and forgiven, it said.

"I hereby suggest on behalf of the nationalities of the Union that the
Government should take effective action against her in accord with the
prevailing laws."

The official news agency meanwhile quoted intelligence chief
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt as saying opponents had been plotting to
incite unrest next month.

General Khin Nyunt accused them of plotting unrest to mark "four nines"
day - September 9, 1999 - just as they had on "four eights" day - August 8,
1988 - which marked the start of a nationwide democracy uprising the
military crushed the following month.