NEWS - We support Suu Kyi, say figh

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Subject: NEWS - We support Suu Kyi, say fighters

Bangkok Post - December 11, 1999  

We support Suu Kyi, say fighters

Ralph Bachoe

The leader of the Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors yesterday denied the
group opposed Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
Ye Thi Ha said the comments made by Kyaw Ni, or Johnny, leader of the
Oct 1-2 raid on the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, did not represent the
group.
 
In a telephone interview, Ye Thi Ha said the leader of the embassy raid
was expressing a personal view. To affirm the group's position, it
issued a statement that read: "We support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's
non-violent way to democracy, and her leading role in the Burmese
democracy movement.
 
"We reiterate that we will not criticise, personally or politically, any
person fighting for democracy, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."Kyaw Ni
told the Associated Press from the jungle base of God's Army that Suu
Kyi did not really care for the Burmese people.
 
He condemned her for her non-violent approach. "I don't like Suu Kyi
because I don't think she really loves her country," he said. Her
marriage to the late Michael Aris, a Briton, proved she did not love her
country, and he would oppose her if she came to office.
 
In the statement, the group said Kyaw Ni's comments had been
misinterpreted, possibly through a language problem. If any member of
the group did make such a statement, "it was in a personal capacity and
does not represent the views of the Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors".
 
Ye Thi Ha, with another student, was sentenced to seven years in prison
in Thailand after they hijacked a Union of Burma Airways plane from
Rangoon to Bangkok in 1989. They demanded democracy be restored and that
Suu Kyi be released from house arrest.
 
The leader of the 20-strong group said it will always stand for people
fighting for democracy and that God's Army strongly supports Suu Kyi.