In a warnintg seen as a sign of renewed suppression of dissidence, Lt Gen Myo Nyunt, head of the Rangoon Command, has urged members of the Burmese Defence Services to increase their vigilance.

 

Gen Myo Nyunt claimed that foreign broadcasting stations have been intigating anti-government activities and that some party members engaged in illegal activities had been holding secret meeting at the Shwedagon Pagoda platform.

 

Nyunt’s warning was the main theme on Tuesday at the first quarterly coordinating meeting of the general staff, adjutant general’s staff and the quartermaster’s staff of the Rangoon Command.

 

The Rangoon commander stressed the need for officers to be on guard and to systematically implement the followingt:

 

-keep in constant touch with the rank and file

 

-enforce close supervision and control

 

-maintain the chai of command.

 

Nyunt’s warning followed the arrest of five political activists on June 1. They were Kyi Maung  76, a leading member of the National league for Democracy, U Thu Wai, U Aye Maung, U Htun Shwe and Dr Tha Hla. They were arrested together at Dr Tha Hla’s residence.

 

Sources in Rangoon claimed that the five were not holding a meeting but were just there for social talks. “The meet every week at Dr Tha Hla’s house and then proceed to Shwedago Pagoda to pray,” one sourve said “ They do this reqularly and politics is not discussed.”

 

Observers in Rangoon believ way, Lt Gen Myo Nyunt’s speech was indirectly referring to Kyi Maung and his friends.

 

“How could they possible meet secretly at Shwedagon Pagoda? I don’t think they are idiots,” a source added. Kyi Maung, who was released in March, met US Rep Bill Richardson recently in Rangoon.

 

“That could be the reason why the military picked him up,” the source said.

 

Rep Richardson was denied permission to meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He was able to speak with intelligence chief Lt Gen Khin Nyunt and 12 ambassadors as well as some opposition leaders whom Richardson declined to name for security reasons.

 

However, he told the Voice of America recently that “some of the members of the opposition whom I met in Burma were jailed soon after I left. I think that’s really a sign of repression and I’m very disappointed.”

 

But last week, Kyi Maung was freed. His family said he was well and in good spirits, although they did not provide additional details about his detention. His four companions have not been released.

 

Several sources in Rangoon suggested that the four, including Dr Tha Hla, should be released soon as they are old and sick. The four are believed to be in their 70s and family members are seriously concerned about their health.

 

Analysts said the low-profile crackdown coincides with the approaching seventh anniversay of the democracy uprising. “Slorc is afraid that something might erupt. That is why they are ensuring that all potential activists are kept in check.” A Rangoon source said.