Yangon, May 10: Myanmar's ruling junta has been ordering democracy supporters not to gather in large numbers to welcome opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on her political trips, a senior general admitted today. While it is widely known local authorities have pressured residents not to come out and greet the pro-democracy campaigner on her forays outside of Yangon, the junta had remained steadfast in its claims that Aung San Suu Kyi's trips have gone ahead unhindered.
"For the sake of security and stability, all we have done was ask (supporters) to refrain from coming out in big numbers, shouting and carrying placards to welcome her to the city or town," said military spokesperson Brigadier General Than Tun. "They can gather at their respective party offices all they want," he went on. "We are not preventing them from welcoming her in small groups of a dozen or so on her arrival anywhere." He also dismissed as "misunderstandings" the several complaints of harassment he said have already been lodged during Aung San Suu Kyi's current month-long trip to northernmost Kachin state.
"We have not limited her freedom of movement in any way," stressed Than Tun, who serves as the key liaison between Suu Kyi and the junta. Bureau Report