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Burma Threatens Democracy Activists

Burma`s military junta is accusing Aung San Suu Kyi`s party of being connected to terrorist groups and is threatening to dissolve the pro-democracy party. A junta spokesman told news services it has the power to outlaw the National League for Democracy (NLD). However, it has decided to be "patient and broadminded" and will refrain from doing so at the moment.

The spokesman denied the NLD`s calls to put together a power-sharing government. News reports indicate that the NLD won elections in 1990, but it has never been allowed to takeover the government. It`s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has remained under house arrest. She has spent 10 of the last 17 years as a prisoner.

Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her pro-democracy efforts. Rights groups have accused the military government of violating human rights and jailing hundreds of NLD activists. The U.S. and Europe have criticized the junta for not promoting democratic reforms and have imposed sanction on Burma.