AP-Myanmar Said To Detain 16 Activi

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Subject: AP-Myanmar Said To Detain 16 Activists

Wednesday September 1 12:25 PM ET

Myanmar Said To Detain 16 Activists

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Sixteen pro-democracy activists have been detained in
Myanmar for fear they will demonstrate against the military regime on Sept.
9, an auspicious date for many in Myanmar, the country's leading opposition
party said Wednesday.

The National League for Democracy said those detained included nine of its
members and expressed concern there would be more arrests ahead of the
so-called ``Four Nines'' day, or 9-9-99.

The date is notable because the number nine is considered special in
Myanmar, also known as Burma.

A similar date, August 8 - the tenth anniversary of 8-8-88, the date of a
failed pro-democracy uprising - passed without major incident.

Anti-government activists, particularly those in exile, have been predicting
a popular revolt on that day even though there is little evidence residents
are ready to rise up and face the military force that crushed street
protests 11 years ago.

The NLD statement condemned the ``indiscriminate arrests'' and called for
the detainees to be released as soon as possible. No confirmation of the
arrests was immediately available from the government.

The NLD also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross - allowed
inside Myanmar's prisons for the first time earlier this year - to
investigate the arrests and ensure the welfare of the detainees.

Myanmar exiles began a protest Wednesday linked to the ``Four Nines'' date,
chanting for democracy outside the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

They appealed for international support to bring about the convening of a
parliament elected in 1990. The vote was overwhelmingly won by the NLD, led
by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

``We will carry on our daily demonstration to create awareness among the
people about the 9-9-99 anniversary,'' said Zaw Win, a protest leader.

On Tuesday, Myanmar authorities arrested a British activist for illegally
entering the country to stage a one-man protest against the military regime.
James Mawdsley, 26, was arrested in the northeastern city of Tachilek
carrying 500 anti-government leaflets, state media reported.