Bombing plan in Myanmar foiled by arrests: gov't

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 28, 2003

YANGON, July 26 Kyodo

Myanmar's government said Saturday an alleged plot to bomb several sites in the capital Yangon was foiled by a series of arrests this month.

Col. San Pwint of the Defense Ministry told a press conference that dissidents both inside and outside the country led by Kayin National Union rebels planned to bomb several sites including the Martyrs' Mausoleum on Martyrs' Day last Saturday.

Surveillance by the authorities, acting on the knowledge of the bombing preparations, led to the arrests on July 16 of Zar Naing Tun and Zaw Myo Htet at Thon-ze, about 100 kilometers north of Yangon.

Interrogation of the two led to the arrests of six more suspects from various parts of Myanmar who had assembled in Yangon on July 17, San Pwint said, saying a total 12 people have so far been arrested.

''We received information that dissidents, including the Shan United Revolutionary Army, Kayin-ni National Progressive Party, and All Burma Student Democratic Front, all led by the Kayin National Union rebels, were sending bombers to Yangon to launch bombing attacks on July 19, Martyrs' Day,'' Deputy Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Kyaw Win said at the press conference.

''Their ultimate objective was to create a public uprising like the anarchic unrest in 1988 in the country. The government will never allow that to happen again,'' he said.

''Whether (National League for Democracy leader) Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders are aware of these plans or not, only these leaders will know. Anyway, the activities for public unrest will obviously support the NLD political movements in Myanmar,'' Kyaw Win added.