Yangon, July 05: Photographs of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talking and dining with Myanmar's ruling generals appeared in official newspapers today, but there were no indications the bitter rivals had met recently. The photographs, carried in all three official newspapers, were accompanied by a stinging commentary against Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner held by the junta since a bloody confrontation may 30. Diplomats said this did not augur well for Suu Kyi's early release.

The photographs showed Suu Kyi shaking hands with junta leader senior gen. Than Shwe and eating with him and other top military figures at what a caption said was a ``family dinner''. Another caption said "frank and cordial exchange of views can lead to consolidated national political future of the nation.''

The newspapers did not say when or where the meetings took place, and the regime has made no mention in recent days that its leaders had held discussions with Suu Kyi, who was taken into custody following a clash in northern Myanmar between her followers and government supporters.

Two Myanmar dissidents yesterday testified before a senate panel in Thailand that a drunken mob of about 3,000 people - some dressed as monks - surrounded Suu Kyi's motorcade, stripping the clothes off supporters and beating them mercilessly with bats, rods and spears.
The testimony by witnesses Khin Zaw and Wunna Maung was the most comprehensive and detailed yet of the May 30 violence.


Bureau Report