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Burma Students Granted Right to Form Unions

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Associated Press

President Maung Maung today rejected protesters’ demands for an interim government but said he will allow the formation of student unions, which have been illegal in Burma.

Earlier today, striking employees closed the capital’s airport despite a government warning. Striking public employees said 1 million people would turn out for an anti-government rally at a park, but only about 100,000 showed up.

In a speech broadcast over state-run Rangoon radio, Maung Maung said any changes in Burma’s one-party government must follow constitutional procedures.

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He said the government already plans a meeting Sept. 12 to consider holding a referendum on one-party rule, a process that could lead to general elections and amendment of the constitution.

In what was seen as a gesture to students who have been at the vanguard of pro-democracy protests, Maung Maung said the government would permit student unions as long as they were “properly formed.”

On Sunday, students announced that they had formed an illegal student union.

The airport strike halted all international flights and further isolated the Southeast Asian nation. Union Burma Airways last Friday suspended both domestic and international service, but flights by other carriers had continued from Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand.

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The All Services General Strike Committee, an illegal government association that was formed Tuesday, had called for 1 million workers from government departments and state-owned corporations to rally at Bandoola Gardens, the capital’s largest park. But by noon today only about 100,000 showed up.

On Wednesday, the government of President Maung Maung warned that it would take action against demonstrators illegally occupying government buildings and facilities.

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