Burma Frees Top Dissident, 1,700 Others : Action Comes Amid New Rallies for Immediate Democracy

Burma’s leading dissident and about 1,700 other anti-government protesters were released by the government Thursday as thousands more rallied to demand immediate democracy, rejecting the president’s proposal to consider multiparty rule.

Aung Gyi left Insein Jail and later told a quickly organized rally of about 200,000 that an interim government must be formed to lead the nation to democracy.

President Maung Maung bowed to three days of mass protests against one-party rule on Wednesday and called for a referendum on multiparty democracy. The president--the nation’s third leader in five weeks--lifted martial law imposed Aug. 3 in Rangoon, withdrew troops from the city center and lifted curfews throughout the country.

But to the people in the streets Thursday, the moves clearly were insufficient.

March for Democracy

About 400,000 people marched through Rangoon demanding that the government give the people democracy immediately, witnesses said.

About 300 demonstrators--workers, students and merchants-- controlled Victoria Point, the southernmost town in Burma, and student leaders claimed that similar takeovers were occurring throughout the country.

In Rangoon, Aung Gyi told the hastily arranged rally, “We have complete trust in President Maung Maung and Chairman of the Council of People’s Justices Tin Aung Hein.”

But he added: “I demand Maung Maung and Tin Aung Hein form an interim government immediately to avoid anarchy and bloodshed in the country.”

Aung Gyi, a former army general, was a close associate of former strongman Ne Win, but they split over differences in economic policy.

Demonstration organizers said they plan a larger rally today near the Schwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple. They said they hope to attract at least a million people and force the resignation of the government.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the 40-year-old daughter of Burma’s assassinated national hero, Gen. Aung San, is scheduled to be the principal speaker.

“She is being touted as Burma’s Cory Aquino,” a diplomat said. Philippine President Corazon Aquino led a popular uprising that overthrew dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986.

Citing his age, the 77-year-old Ne Win, who led the 1962 coup that toppled the elected government, resigned last month as chairman of the 1.1 million-member party.

He took indirect responsibility for violent riots in March and June, saying the protests “showed the lack of trust and confidence in the government.” He called for a referendum on multiparty rule.

Sein Lwin, a widely disliked former army general, succeeded Ne Win on July 27 and moved quickly against his opposition. He resigned after at least 112 demonstrators were killed when troops fired into crowds and was succeeded by Maung Maung.

Aung Gyi, 70, who has been critical of what he calls economic and political decay under the ruling Burma Socialist Program Party, was arrested in late July.

All Will Be Freed

State-run Radio Rangoon said 1,683 protesters were released Thursday from Insein Jail. It said all others arrested nationwide since Aug. 3 in connection with the rioting would be freed except those accused of serious crimes. It was not immediately known how many dissidents remain in jail.

Those freed Thursday included 442 students, 78 government employees and 27 Buddhist monks.

The atmosphere was festive for those heading home from Insein Jail, 8 miles north of Rangoon. The sea of people protesting against the government snarled traffic in the city center and made movement difficult.

Many people wore red headbands, and the national flag was flying upside down, both symbols of defiance.

Government ministries were open but nearly empty, with no senior officials at their desks and the few junior employees on hand doing little work.

Radio Rangoon reported Thursday night that mobs had set fire to government buildings in the capital’s suburbs. Earlier reports Thursday said local government offices were deserted after they had been ransacked by mobs.

No newspapers were available because workers at all six state-run dailies were striking to demand democracy and press freedom.