BY IGGY KIM
On May 30, Burmese troops and regime-sponsored thugs attacked a National League for Democracy (NLD) motorcade. Led by NLD founder, Aung San Suu Kyi, the motorcade was part a pro-democracy tour that began in early May. Suu Kyi received head injuries and was taken into custody.
The whereabouts of NLD vice-chairperson U Tin U is unknown. Eighteen other NLD leaders were also arrested, while the entire NLD leadership is under house arrest in Yangon. All 100 NLD offices across Burma have been closed.
The attack was instigated by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a regime-created organisation that frequently uses violence against pro-democracy supporters. The USDA was implicated in a cinema bomb blast on May 15 that injured 48 people.
The Norwegian-based Democratic Voice of Burma reported that an eyewitness said convicts dressed as monks began the attack, after stopping the motorcade at a roadblock. They were joined by USDA thugs. Troops then opened fire on the convoy. The eyewitness reported seeing that 68 bodies were taken to nearby Monywa.
The people of Monywa marched on the USDA office on May 31. They were attacked by the military, USDA and police. Three protesters were killed. The regime cut telephone lines to Monywa and, on June 1, ordered all universities to close.
Protests are planned around the world for June 19 to call for an end to ties with the military dictatorship. There will be a protest in Canberra at 1pm, at the Burmese embassy, 22 Arkna St, Yarralumla. For more information, phone Maung Maung Than on 0411 337 816.
From Green Left Weekly, June 11, 2003.
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