Myanmar Prime Minister Behind Attack on Suu Kyi, U.S. Govt Says

October 21, 2004- (Bloomberg) Myanmar's new prime minister was involved in a decision to attack an opposition rally last May led by Aung San Suu Kyi, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, citing reports received by the U.S. at the time.

Lieutenant General Soe Win was ``directly involved in the decision to carry out the brutal attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy on May 30, 2003,'' Boucher said yesterday in Washington according to an e-mailed statement. ``We find it to be a report that is worth taking into account.''

Myanmar's military government said in a statement on Tuesday Soe Win replaced General Khin Nyunt, who was allowed to retire as prime minister on health grounds.

The U.S. government said the leadership change will harm any progress toward democracy by Myanmar's military leaders, who have run the country formerly known as Burma since 1962. Myanmar's junta hasn't commented on the U.S. statements.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy, has been under house arrest since May 2003.

``We reiterate our call on Burma to engage in a meaningful dialogue and to engage in genuine national reconciliation and release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners,'' Boucher said, according to the transcript. ``We see no indication that the leadership change will have any tangible impact on relations between the junta and the democratic opposition.''

U.S. Report

A State Department report in April on human rights in Myanmar referred to a ``premeditated, government-sponsored attack'' on Suu Kyi's convoy in May 2003. It said a videotape of the incident ``demonstrated the clear role of government- sponsored provocateurs.''

Khin Nyunt, 65, was moved to the post of prime minister in August last year. He announced the government's plan for making democratic changes in August 2003 that included a national convention to draft a new constitution.

The convention, which began in May, is being boycotted by the National League for Democracy because opposition leaders remain in detention.

Myanmar has been under international sanctions since its military rulers nullified election results in 1990. The U.S. strengthened sanctions in July last year, including freezing the assets of its leaders and banning imports of goods.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said yesterday the leadership change may harm moves toward democracy by Myanmar'sjunta, AFP reported from Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.

Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia are members of the 10- country Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

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