5,000 Burmese Risk Punishment to Hear Dissident Speak

Risking harsh punishment, more than 5,000 people gathered Saturday outside the home of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to hear her deliver a speech the military government tried to prevent.

The government announced a draconian new law Friday curbing virtually all political activity in an effort to stop Suu Kyi’s weekly addresses and the newly assertive pro-democracy movement.

Authorities did not interrupt her hourlong speech, which was much milder than usual and did not criticize the regime. It was unclear whether she would face charges later.

The crowd cheered when a defiant Suu Kyi appeared at the front gate of her home in Yangon, the former Rangoon. “Long live Aung San Suu Kyi,” they chanted. “Let the cause for democracy be successful.”

Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her efforts to bring democracy to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She has met with her supporters every Saturday since being released from six years of house arrest last July.

“All along we stressed discipline and order among the crowd, which is essential for peace and tranquillity. We have always been constructive and never destructive. Our conscience is clear,” Suu Kyi said to enthusiastic applause Saturday.

After crowds swelled to 10,000 last month, the regime said it was banning the Saturday meetings--already prohibited under a law that forbids gatherings of more than 50 people but that has not been enforced.

On Friday it went further, decreeing prison sentences of five to 20 years for anyone who seeks to “undermine the stability of the state, community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order.”

Groups found violating the ban would be banned, according to the decree read on state television and radio.