Hope emerges in divided Myanmar<\/p>\n
By Deborah Charles<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (Reuter): The first meeting in two years between a top
\nMyanmar military general and leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's
\nopposition party is a key step towards improving relations
\nbetween the two sides, diplomats and a government official said
\nlast Friday.<\/p>\n
Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, one of the most powerful men in Myanmar's
\nmilitary government, met National League for Democracy (NLD)
\nchairman Aung Shwe and two other party leaders last Thursday for
\ntalks.<\/p>\n
It was the first time any senior member of the State Law and
\nOrder Restoration Council (SLORC) had met NLD officials since Suu
\nKyi was released from six years of house arrest in 1995.<\/p>\n
"It's an absolute shock, a real surprise," said one diplomat
\nabout the talks, which government and NLD sources said dealt with
\nrecent allegations by the SLORC that the NLD was involved in
\nterrorist activities and had received financial assistance from
\nforeigners to help in their actions.<\/p>\n
A senior government official told Reuters by telephone from
\nYangon that last Thursday's meeting was part of a government plan
\nto improve communication between the two sides.<\/p>\n
"This is the government's step-by-step approach according to
\nits own schedule," the official said. "Both sides have had a
\nchance to express what they want to say...and get explanations on
\nwhatever they have doubts about. It is good."<\/p>\n
"We decided the time had come to meet with them, but it's not
\ndue to external pressure," he added.<\/p>\n
He said it was not timed to coincide with Myanmar's admission
\nto the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week.
\nSome ASEAN officials had been reported to have urged SLORC to
\nhold talks with the NLD.<\/p>\n
Suu Kyi has made repeated requests to the SLORC for dialogue
\nsince her release two years ago, and many foreign governments
\nhave condemned Yangon for ignoring her plea for negotiations.
\nThe two sides have become deadlocked over the past year as the
\ngovernment intensified its crackdown against the democracy
\nmovement, arrested party members and attacked the NLD and Suu Kyi
\nthrough state-run media and speeches by top officials.<\/p>\n
Last month, Khin Nyunt accused the NLD of accepting more than
\n$85,000 from two covert U.S. agents. He also linked the NLD to
\nrecent bombings in Myanmar. Suu Kyi denied the accusations.
\nDiplomats welcomed the talks but were cautious over whether it
\nsignified the beginning of a true dialogue.<\/p>\n
"It's definitely a step in the right direction and we haven't
\nseen any step in the right direction since I've been here," said
\none diplomat who has lived in Yangon for two years.<\/p>\n
"It's certainly positive, but whether it's going to run on or
\nnot we'll just have to wait and see," the diplomat said.
\nThe government official was also wary of saying this was the
\nbeginning of a series of talks.<\/p>\n
"It's premature at this stage to expect future meetings," he
\nsaid. "It would depend on the deeds or actions the NLD will
\npursue in the future."<\/p>\n
NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo told Reuters last Thursday the talks
\ndid not constitute a dialogue as they did not include Suu Kyi.<\/p>\n
"But we welcome the talks in general," he said. "We would also
\nwelcome any dialogue with the SLORC if it is in the true spirit
\nof reconciliation," he said.<\/p>\n
The NLD won a landslide victory in a 1990 election. The SLORC
\ndecided not to recognize the results and the NLD was never
\nallowed to rule.<\/p>\n
The SLORC seized power in 1989 after brutally suppressing
\nnationwide pro-democracy demonstrations which left thousands dead
\nor imprisoned.<\/p>\n
The government has been accused of widespread human rights
\nabuses. The United States imposed economic sanctions against
\nMyanmar earlier this year for the abuses and its failure to
\nrecognize the 1990 victory of the NLD.<\/p>",
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