Media Release on August 29, 1999

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Media Release 47/99
August 29, 1999

A high-ranking military officer's car attacked by hand-grenade in Rangoon

The car of a Burmese Army official, Col. Win Swe, was attacked by a
hand-grenade thrown from a second, unidentified car while driving along the
Min
Yae Kyaw Swar Bridge on Lay Daung Kan road of Tamwe Township in Rangoon. The
explosion badly damaged the vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta, and injured two of
the
Colonel's relatives in the car. One victim sustained a head injury while the
other was badly wounded in his left arm; they are both currently hospitalised
at the Rangoon General Hospital. 

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on August 18, 1999, and the motive behind
the grenade attack is yet to be substantiated.

"Nobody knows for the certain reason [for the attack]. Both sides may have
military background, and it is obvious that ordinary people don't have bombs,"
a Rangoon resident commented. Col. Win Swe is currently stationed at a
military
base in Oke Kyin, Hlaing Township of Rangoon. 

According to Aung Thu Nyein, the General Secretary of the All Burma Students'
Democratic Front (ABSDF), "The incident reminds me of a previous bomb blast at
Gen.Tin Oo's resident which killed his daughter. Tin Oo is a powerful rival of
Gen. Khin Nyunt. The Burmese people, including many military men, are
convinced
that no ordinary man from the street would risk such an attempt. This kind of
action is likely to be undertaken by military men who often deem themselves
above legal repercussion." 

"These kinds of incidents, including the recent explosive attack in Tamwe,"
Aung Thu Nyein continued, "tend to occur as a consequence of vicious
internal -
including social and economic- rivalry among the military cliques, and
possibly
relating to drugs as well."

For further information, please contact - 01 960 4026, 01 654 4984


--------------------------------------------------------------
All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)
P.O. Box 42, Hua Mark P.O, Bangkapi, 10243, Bangkok
<caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxx> <lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>