BurmaNet News: August 27 2003

[editor at burmanet.org]

August 27 2003 Issue #2314

INSIDE BURMA
AFP: Thai deputy premier predicts big changes, Suu Kyi release, in Myanmar
AFP: Myanmar leader to use new PM as shield against international flack:
source
FT: Burmese shake-up unlikely to loosen junta's grip
SHAN-EU: KNLA ambush killed six and wounded seven

ON THE BORDER
AFP: Thailand to confine refugees to camps during APEC

DRUGS
Nation: Probe Wa deaths, says Chavalit

MONEY
Xinhua: Myanmar, India sign MoU on ICT cooperation

REGIONAL
IPS: China Supports Burma, But Urges Change
SHAN: Ceasefire leader: Changes get China's blessings
Nation: Guarded welcome for Burmese changes

INTERNATIONAL
BCUK: Artists Join Global MTV Campaign to Free Aung San Suu Kyi


----INSIDE BURMA----

Agence France Presse   August 27, 2003
Thai deputy premier predicts big changes, Suu Kyi release, in Myanmar

BANGKOK: Myanmar will see major political changes and the release of
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the next few months, Thailand's
deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Wednesday.

Chavalit, a former army chief and close ally of the generals who run the
Myanmar junta, made the comments after a sweeping reshuffle that saw
reputed reformer General Khin Nyunt installed as prime minister.

"I believe in the next four or five months, there will be further changes
in Myanmar's politics including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi," he told
reporters.

"The changes will lead to positive developments which will involve a
political compromise" between the regime and Aung San Suu Kyi's
pro-democracy cause, he said. "It will happen for sure according to my
information."

The ramifications of Khin Nyunt's surprise appointment as prime minister,
a role formerly held by the nation's leader Senior General Than Shwe,
remain unclear.

Some analysts believe the head of military intelligence, who is the most
outward-looking figure in the junta, is being set up as a sacrificial lamb
by Than Shwe who is aiming to deflect criticism over Suu Kyi's detention.

The Nobel peace laureate was taken into custody on May 30 after a
pro-junta mob brutally ambushed her convoy during a political tour of
Myanmar's north.

However, other observers hope the changes are the first step towards the
civilianisation of Myanmar's military government and that Khin Nyunt might
work to forge peace with Aung San Suu Kyi and mend the collapsed economy.

Myanmar has resisted intense international pressure to release the
opposition leader, and is now struggling to cope with tightened US and
European Union sanctions triggered by the political crackdown.

Chavalit also said that the changes in Myanmar will help shut down the
production of drugs which flood across the border into Thailand -- a trade
that frequently sparks diplomatic rows between the neighbours.

He said that with unity and peace in Myanmar, he expects the United Wa
State Army, an ethnic group allied to the Yangon regime, to stop producing
methamphetamines before an earlier deadline of 2005.

"The Wa will stop producing amphetamines before the year they had
announced because the Myanmar government will have solved their domestic
political problems," he said.

Fearful that the new sanctions could send a flood of refugees across the
border, Thailand is pushing Myanmar to consider its "road map" towards
democratic reform and freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi.

A senior Thai government official said Tuesday that they believe the
regime is caving in to international pressure after realising that even
their allies in Southeast Asia have lost their patience with the political
deadlock.

"The change in government is a good sign. Myanmar is under pressure from
outsiders and now only China is standing by them. If things stay like
this, they cannot survive," the official said, requesting anonymity.

"Khin Nyunt probably wants to release Aung San Suu Kyi but the decision
will ultimately be taken by Than Shwe."


Agence France Presse   August 27, 2003
Myanmar leader to use new PM as shield against international flack: source

YANGON: Myanmar's leader Senior General Than Shwe intends to remain in
power indefinitely and will use his new prime minister as a shield against
international criticism, a source close to the junta said Wednesday.

The ramifications of junta number-three General Khin Nyunt's surprise
appointment Monday as prime minister, a role formerly held by Than Shwe,
are being hotly debated in this military-run nation.

Some observers believe Khin Nyunt, the most outward-looking figure in the
regime, may be given room to tackle the country's two biggest problems --
the stalemate with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the collapsing
economy.

But the source close to the ruling State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) said Than Shwe was merely hoping the new premier would deflect some
of the heat from incidents like Aung San Suu Kyi's continued detention.

"The Senior General does not intend to step down at any time in the
foreseeable future and so he needs someone to offset growing international
pressure being brought to bear on him," he told AFP.

"Than Shwe is coming along in years and doesn't want too many headaches...
he needs a shield to deflect all that outside pressure... and Khin Nyunt
will hopefully serve as that shield."

As the new public face of the regime, Khin Nyunt will now have to
represent Myanmar at meetings like the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) summit and confront the regime's critics directly -- a job
Than Shwe detested.

"Khin Nyunt has been given the responsibility to deal with all those
headaches in (Than Shwe's) place," the source said.

"Khin Nyunt himself probably welcomes this new position as it suits him to
a T, despite the obvious drawbacks, because he has a personality which
thrives on high visibility."

Foreign governments and diplomats in Yangon consider Khin Nyunt the man
most accessible in the regime, where he is considered a moderate among a
coterie of hardbitten military men.

He was charged with managing a United Nation-sponsored reconciliation
process with Aung San Suu Kyi, which broke down in May when she was
arrested after her supporters were attacked by a pro-junta mob during a
political tour.

State radio announced on Monday that in a sweeping reshuffle Khin Nyunt
had lost his role as Secretary One in the SPDC, which made him the
third-ranking general in the country after Than Shwe and army chief Maung
Aye.

While some analysts argued the reshuffle meant Khin Nyunt had clearly been
demoted from the all-powerful body -- effectively Myanmar's politburo --
the source said he retained his ranking and his place on the SPDC.

"The First Secretary post is primarily an administrative one and losing it
doesn't detract anything from Nyunt," the source said, adding he would
continue to serve as military intelligence chief -- which gives him an
important power base.

In more new appointments announced Wednesday, seven deputy ministers were
named along with a new auditor-general and Yangon mayor.

Incoming deputy foreign minister Kyaw Thu, who will work alongside current
deputy Khin Maung Win, is the son of a former president who served as
ambassador to South Africa.

The new appointments are mostly up-and-coming military men, replacing old
and infirm ministers.


Financial Times (London)   August 27, 2003
Burmese shake-up unlikely to loosen junta's grip
By William Barnes

BANGKOK: The appointment of General Khin Nyunt, Burma's intelligence
chief, to the premiership will not lead to an early easing of the military
regime's political grip, according to diplomats.

The regime's hardline leader, General Than Shwe, on Monday ceded the post
of prime minister to Khin Nyunt, but retained his chairmanship of the
State Peace and Development Committee (SPDC), the official name of the
ruling junta, and his post as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

In addition, his protege, Lt Gen Soe Win, has been promoted to replace
Khin Nyunt as secretary one on the SPDC.

The fast-rising Lt Gen Soe made notably hostile remarks in January about
the undesirability of negotiating with Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition
leader.

The regime has come under intense international pressure after
government-backed thugs in May attacked a motorcade carrying the popular
opposition leader, who has since been kept in isolation in a secret
location for "her own protection".

The widely condemned move stymied fading hopes that reconciliation talks
brokered by the United Nations might lead to real political change.

There have been reports that young turks within Burma's military were
unhappy that a crude ambush reputedly blessed by Than Shwe should have
brought so much trouble down on the regime, including the irritation of
its relatively sympathetic neighbours in the Association of South-East
Asian Nations (Asean) and a US import ban.

The current reshuffle might therefore be designed to create a smokescreen
ahead of Asean and Apec meetings in October, argued one Rangoon-based
diplomat.

He pointed out that the regime had reshaped its image before, such as in
1997 when it reshuffled its leadership and changed its name from the State
Law and Order Restoration to the SPDC.

Debbie Stothard, co-ordinator of the Alternative Asean Network on Burma, a
lobby group, said: "It puts Khin Nyunt in a funny position. He has
privately implied that he is not averse to reform, but is blocked by Than
Shwe."


Shan-EU   August 27, 2003
KNLA ambush killed six and wounded seven
Battalion 103 bounces back under Lieutenant-Colonel Nay Say

On 19. 08. 2003, at 11 .00 hours, KNLA GHQ 103 Battalion ambushed LIB 299
at Maw Ker Hta Dooplaya district.

The fighting initiated by a string of Claymores   lasted less than 5
minutes and left 6 dead and 7 wounded among the SPDC soldiers of which 2
were in very serious condition. Among the dead were one company commander
and one second lieutenant. So far, this battalion under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel    Nay Say has been staging a succession of very
effective Claymore initiated ambushes killing 37 and wounding 40 enemy
soldiers in 8 separate   attacks since the beginning of this year.

GHQ 103 battalion’s tactical area of operation (TAOR) borders KNLA 201 GHQ
battalion. It is essential in blocking or harassing enemy   reinforcements
and supply lines to 201-battalion area. This was proven earlier this year,
when SPDC troops tried to attack the 201-battalion headquarters at Wah Lay
Kee (Walaykee).

In 1999, Nay Say assumed command of 103 battalion after the tragic death
of Lieutenant Colonel Po Moo. Po Moo was a famous fighter and was   part
of the first batch of French trained commandos and graduated together  
with the present No. 5 KNLA   Brigade commander, Brigade General Baw Kyaw
in the late eighties.

Since last year, 103 battalion has been bouncing back after about 2 years
of low intensity, due to the loss of its charismatic commander famous for
its courage and outstanding tactical manoeuvre. Nay Say, a hard working
and good organiser, has been able to adapt to the new guerrilla warfare
tactics.  It is important to note that he gradually introduced the use of
claymores as bobby traps, defensive and ambush weapons, during the last
three years. Further, gathering of field intelligence, regular training,
good reconnoitre and thorough organisation have paved the way for its
battlefield success again like in the olden days.


----ON THE BORDER----

Agence France Presse   August 27, 2003
Thailand to confine refugees to camps during APEC

BANGKOK: Thailand will confine thousands of refugees including political
exiles at a series of detention centres during October's APEC meeting as a
security precaution, officials said Wednesday.

Colonel Panlop Pinmanee, deputy director for the internal security office,
said Thailand had informed the United Nation High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) that all political refugees must stay at a centre in
western Ratchaburi province during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) meeting.

Other refugees living outside the official camps on the Thai-Myanmar
border would be required to stay in one of nine detention centers across
the country.

"No one will be allowed to go outside their centres during the APEC
meeting," he said. "This is a security measure."

Refugee camps along the border are home to some 110,000 displaced persons,
mainly ethnic Karen from Myanmar who have fled political repression in
their home country.

The UNHCR has a policy of not disclosing the number of political refugees
in Thailand and Panlop did not indicate how many refugees he believed
would be affected by the new measure.

Thai authorities were put on alert after the arrest of alleged terrorist
mastermind Hambali in Thailand earlier this month. The Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) leader was allegedly planning an attack to disrupt APEC before his
capture.

Leaders from 21 nations will be attending the meeting to be held in Bangkok.


----DRUGS----

The Nation (Thailand)   August 27, 2003
Probe Wa deaths, says Chavalit

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday called for an
investigation into the deaths of three alleged drug traffickers, shot by
Thai police who reported that they were members of the United Wa State
Army (UWSA).

The pro-Rangoon UWSA is accused by the authorities of flooding the country
with methamphetamine pills.

Chavalit's statement came a day after the military junta of Burma
expressed scepticism over claims by Thai police that the three Wa
traffickers had crossed over from the Burmese side of the border with
500,000 methamphetamine pills.

The shootout took place on a Chiang Mai highway on Sunday.

Burmese authorities are "curious to find out how these three individuals,
who were supposedly fully armed, wearing military uniforms and carrying
500,000 methamphetamine pills, could sneak so far into Thailand, even in a
motor vehicle", a government statement said.

The 20,000-strong UWSA entered into a cease-fire agreement with the
military government of Rangoon in 1989, in return for autonomy. The group
controls areas in Burma's Shan state near the Chinese border, as well as
areas adjacent to Thailand's northern border.


----MONEY----

Xinhua General News Service   August 27, 2003
Myanmar, India sign MoU on ICT cooperation

YANGON, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) --Myanmar and India have signed here a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in information and communication
technology (ICT), official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported
Wednesday.

The MoU was inked on Tuesday by Myanmar Minister of Communications, Posts
and Telegraphs Brigadier-General Thein Zaw and visiting Indian Minister of
Communication and Information Technology Arun Shourie, who arrived here on
Monday for the event.

Technological cooperation between Myanmar and India has been enhanced
during the last five years. In 2001, India built a Myanmar-India
Friendship Center for Remote Sensing and Data Processing in Myanmar, the
first center of its kind in the country, to help it develop its processing
and dissemination of data from satellite.

So far, Myanmar has established two ICT parks in Yangon and Mandalay,
respectively.


----REGIONAL----

Inter Press Service   August 27, 2003
China Supports Burma, But Urges Change
By Larry Jagan/Bangkok

Burma is beginning to find itself more isolated than it has ever been
since the generals seized power 15 years ago. Even Rangoon’s closest ally,
Beijing, has warned Burma’s military rulers that economic and political
change is essential if the two countries are to continue to develop
together.

"China’s greatest concern is regional security," said a senior Western
diplomat in Beijing. "Having seen the break-up of the former Soviet Union,
they are anxious to prevent anything that might lead to the same process
on their own borders."

There is no doubt that Beijing sees Burma’s lack of political and economic
development as a medium to long term threat to security in the region.

This was one of the key issues which emerged during last week’s visit to
China by Gen Maung Aye, Burma’s second most important military leader.
Although largely a military visit, China’s leaders discussed Burma’s
internal situation at length with Maung Aye. After all, he is one of the
three men who run the country.

Until a year or so ago, Maung Aye was also nominally in charge of the
economy. It is the lack of economic development which is currently
worrying China’s policymakers. They fear economic shortages could lead to
social unrest—and this is something that worries Beijing most.

On the face of it, Maung Aye seems to have been wined and dined as a close
ally. His visit featured prominently in the Chinese press, and his
itinerary also included a meeting with China’s top leader Hu Jintao.

This was largely unexpected as Maung Aye is not the head of state and does
not hold a key post in the government—but he is head of the army.

"Gen Maung Aye’s high-level reception reflects how important Beijing sees
its relationship with Rangoon," said an Asian diplomat in the Burmese
capital. "But below the surface there are mounting tensions between the
two sides."

While Beijing and Burma are close allies, there is no doubt that China
does not endorse the Burmese military regime unquestioningly. President Hu
Jintao and the other Chinese leaders used the opportunity of Gen Maung
Aye’s visit to underline their concerns in their discussions.

Statements issued after the two key meetings during the visit—one with Hu
and the earlier one with state councilor and former foreign minister Tang
Jiaxuan—seem to reiterate Chinese support for Burma’s military rulers.

"The current domestic situation in Myanmar [Burma] is the country’s
internal affairs, and China does not agree with foreign interference or
sanctions," Tang was quoted as saying by China’s Xinhua news agency on Aug
21.

But a close reading of the Chinese leaders comments reveal their growing
concerns about Burma’s future.

In public statements, China’s leaders stressed Beijing’s support for a
friend who they expected to be stable. They also said they supported the
national reconciliation process, urged the Burmese government to develop
the economy and improve living standards.

Hu Jintao said: "As a friendly neighbor China hopes Myanmar will remain
stable, its ethnic groups will live in harmony, its economy will keep
growing and the Myanmar people will live in happiness."

This is more than a veiled criticism of the current government and its
policies. For sometime now, the Chinese leaders have regarded Burma’s
military regime as potentially unstable.

"It is a regime without legitimacy," a senior Chinese diplomat based in
Southeast Asia said privately. "This lack of legitimacy will lead to
political instability and could pose a major threat to regional stability
in the future."

China is also concerned at the lack of economic development—not only
because China regards this as the cornerstone of political stability, but
because economic growth and prosperity in China’s southwest depends on
expanding economic relations with bordering Burma.

This can only happen if Burma’s economy maintains strong growth. Instead
of mutual prosperity, Burma’s economic crisis poses a threat to security
in the region. "Burma is an economic basketcase," a Chinese diplomat
recently confided.

China’s policymakers and planners have not forgotten their experience in
Burma nearly two years ago when Jiang Zemin made a state visit. "Mobile
phones did not work, fax machines did not work—nothing worked," said a
Chinese diplomat.

For Beijing, the issue is how to influence Rangoon without endangering
their close relationship. It is not the Chinese way to exert pressure
publicly—at least on their friends. But Beijing has made it clear to the
Burmese leaders that they regard political and economic reform as
essential for continued stability.

"Maung Aye was told that Aung San Suu Kyi should be released immediately
and a political dialogue with her and the NLD [National League for
Democracy] started," a Chinese source in Beijing revealed. The Chinese
leaders, according to sources in Rangoon, see this as a first step in a
process of political liberalization.

They have advised Burma’s leaders that they must deal with the opposition
leader and accommodate her. But they have also told Rangoon that Suu Kyi
and the NLD need not be seen as the be all and end all, and they should
also be starting a real dialogue process with other political parties and
ethnic groups.

"China supports Asean [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] on the
Myanmar issue," China's foreign minister Li Zhaoxing told counterparts at
the Asia-Europe Meeting in Bali a month ago. In effect he was telling the
other foreign ministers that China’s policy endorsed the Asean approach
and supported the view that Suu Kyi should be released and national
reconciliation resumed.

In the past 12 months or more, Chinese leaders have repeatedly said
Beijing supported UN envoy Razali Ismail’s efforts to break the political
deadlock in Burma.

But though Beijing is committed to seeing political and economic change in
Burma—it wants to see it introduced gradually. It fears, as do Burma’s
generals, that speedy democratic change could lead to social unrest and
instability—something Beijing feels must be avoided at all costs.


Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)   August 27, 2003
Ceasefire leader: Changes get China's blessings

It was clear the latest reshuffle in Burma's top leadership was affected
following the green light by Beijing, said a leader of a ceasefire groups
from northern Shan State yesterday.

"Gen Maung Aye's visit to China (from 17-22 August), I think, is very
indicative," said the 50-year old former resistance fighter, who requested
anonymity. "China, to my knowledge, has been very much supportive of Gen
Khin Nyunt, to the extent of granting him asylum in their country had
things turned out for the worst in Burma. Any attempt to remove him, I
believe , will not be taken kindly by Beijing."

It means, in practive, that Wa and other former pro-communist rebel groups
that had signed ceasefire with Rangoon, need not concern about its
breakdown at least in the foreseeable future, according to him. "Gen  Khin
Nyunt, through his deputy, urged us to maintain our cooperation with the
Burmese military," he said.

The 9 ceasefire groups representatives had not met the all powerful
Military Intelligence chief on the appointed date on Saturday, 16 August,
but only his deputy Maj Gen Kyaw Win.

As to the reports of Burmese army's protracted preparations in the north
last month ostensively against the Wa, as China's People's Liberation Army
took up positions along the Sino-Burma border, he commented without
elaboration,  "That was Rangoon's signal to both Bangkok and Washington:
The Wa issue could be dealt with not through Rangoon but through Beijing
since Wa are its proteges."

A well-connected businessman in Tachilek also informed that he noticed
nothing irregular in the authorities' conduct of their affairs following
the surprise announcement on Monday, 25 August, that appointed Gen Khin
Nyunt as the new prime minster and Lt-Gen Soe Win as the ruling military
council's new secretary-1 in his place. "Believe me," he assured S.H.A.N.,
"the so-called change has taken place with the sole aim to lure the rest
of the world into believing that from this day on, everything is going to
be better. But I'm sure nothing essentially is going to change."

He added with a laugh: "You may call it old wine in a new bottle. But, to
me, who doesn't like to drink, it's old stew in a new bowl."

Rangoon's Monday announcement has set tongues wagging as to whether or not
Gen Khin Nyunt's new appointment was essentially a demotion or a promotion
and whether or not it augurs well for the much anticipated peace and
reconciliation process in the strife-torn Burma.


The Nation (Thailand)   August 27, 2003
Guarded welcome for Burmese changes

The government yesterday welcomed the appointment of General Khin Nyunt as
the head of the Burmese government, but senior officials familiar with the
authoritarian regime cautioned against rushing to conclusions about the
new power structure and what it could mean for the future of Burma.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the new power arrangement was a
demonstration of a clear division of labour between the ruling junta and
the administrative branch under the newly appointed premier.

However, appointing Khin Nyunt prime minister effectively pushes him out
of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the highest
decision-making body of the regime.

For all that, his reign over the powerful military intelligence agencies
continues.

The reshuffle marked the first time that junta chief Than Shwe had ceded
any measure of power to one of his lieutenants.

The prime minister's post has been under his belt, along with those of
head of state, SPDC chairman, minister of defence and supreme commander,
since 1992.

"The reshuffle shows Burmese rulers have become more international, and
the move will be welcomed," Thaksin said.

Thaksin declined to speculate whether the reshuffle would pave the way for
the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi or lead to democracy
in Burma. "But there is a positive sign on that," he said.

Thaksin also said that the Thai "road map" proposal for national
reconciliation would be better placed for Rangoon's consideration with
Khin Nyunt as his counterpart.

Deputy Prime Minister Chava-lit Yongchaiyudh said the reshuffle was not a
demotion of the intelligence chief Khin Nyunt since he remained the third
most powerful figure in Burmese political line-up.

The ageing leader Than Shwe has hived off some of his power and
responsibilities to younger officers, said Chavalit, who is considered a
good friend of the Burmese junta.

Than Shwe is in his 70s and Khin Nyunt in his 60s.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said the government would convey
its congratulations to the new Burmese premier.

He added that Khin Nyunt's premiership projected a positive image of Burma
since he was well known in the international arena.

However, Supreme Commander General Surayudh Chulanont warned about jumping
to any conclusion.

He said the reshuffle was not unexpected given Than Shwe's advancing years
and need to offload his burden onto younger colleagues.

"It's premature to say if the new change will pave way towards democracy
in Burma," he said.

Deputy chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Kobsak Chutikul
said the announcement was testimony to the uncertainties that continued to
plague the authoritarian rulers.

"In such a regime one is never certain who has the authority to make a
decision on what at any given time," Kobsak said.

A Rangoon-based diplomat said Khin Nyunt's appointment signified that
power was shifting to the more moderate elements in the military regime
and that this could lead to the continuation of political dialogue with
the opposition National League for Democracy.

The diplomat attributed the reshuffle to pressure from the international
community in the wake of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention on May 30.

However, the reshuffle can also be perceived as a time-buying tactic and a
way to reduce the tremendous pressure from the outside world, he said.

It is still premature to attempt to guess what real changes the reshuffle
will bring about, the source said.

He advised a wait-and-see position for a week or two to see what direction
the junta would now pursue.


----INTERNATIONAL----

ARTISTS JOIN GLOBAL MTV CAMPAIGN TO FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI

BONO, BOB GELDOF, LENNY KRAVITZ, MACY GRAY AND CHRIS MARTIN FEATURE IN
CAMPAIGN TO FREE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, WHO HAS BEEN
ARRESTED AND IMPRISONNED BY BURMA'S MILITARY REGIME.

London, 21 August 2003 -- Some of the music industry's biggest names are
joining a global campaign by MTV and Burma Campaign UK being launched on
21 August 2003. The campaign, which will be broadcast on MTV branded
channels around the world, features a series of appeals backed so far by
Chris Martin, Bono, Bob Geldof, Macy Gray and Lenny Kravitz. Viewers are
asked to visit www.mtvburmaaction.com or www.vh1burmaaction.com and email
the UN Security Council and world leaders urging they take action to free
Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We have to make a stand against this gross violation of human rights."
Chris Martin said, "The world's leaders aren't doing enough to rectify the
situation in Burma and this campaign can provide a global call for Aung
San Suu Kyi's release." Leader of Burma's democracy movement, Aung San Suu
Kyi has spent most of the last 14 years under house arrest. She was
arrested again on May 30th 2003 when a pro-government militia attacked her
and her supporters. Up to 100 people are thought to have been killed in
the attack.

Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to the international community for help.
"Please use your liberty to promote ours," she asks.
--------------------------------

The European regions that will be showing the promo from next Wednesday are:

Italy 27th
Poland 27th
Romania 27th
Spain 27th
Nordic 27th
European 27th
UK & Ireland 27th