SPDC to hold Pagan "victory" rally for road map

DVB ( 22 October, 2003 )

There has been mass rallies held at the big cities in various states and divisions to support SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt's seven-point road map. According to news received on 19 October, the SPDC is planning to hold a victory celebration concerning the road map in Pagan on 21 October.

For this reason, it has been learned that Kyant Phut (vernacular acronym for Union Solidarity and Development Association) members and government employees from various states and divisions have been marching towards Pagan. They are to report to the Kyant Phut Central Supervisory Office which is opened in Nyaung-U and then proceed to Pagan.

The police have been assigned the duty to provide security for those attending the Pagan victory celebration. An NLD (National League for Democracy) member told DVB that 1,000 people from Yenanchaung Township in Magwe Division have been ordered to attend the victory celebration, in other words, the road map supporting rally.

NLD member : We heard that there is going to be a rally to support Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt's seven-point road map in Pagan Nyaung-U on 21 October. They will include Kyant Phut members and government employees from across the nation. About 1,000 to 1,500 people from each township will have to attend, mostly Kyant Phut members and employees. The rally will be held in Pagan. In our township, at first we heard 1,500 but now only 1,000 people will have to attend. People are commenting that they are planning to hold the rally to coincide with the APEC Leaders' meeting which is on 20-21 October.