Hunger strike ... Burma`s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has not eaten for four weeks, and there are fears she will starve to death.
Aung San Suu Kyi on hunger strike
Has not eaten for four weeks
There are fears she will starve to death
DISSIDENTS from Burma fear that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will starve herself to death.
They said yesterday the Nobel Peace Laureate was definitely on a hunger strike and refusing food rations from Burma`s ruling military junta as well as rescue packages from concerned supporters.
National League for Democracy figures and exiled student leaders who have arrived on the Thai-Burma border from Rangoon this week have flagged their deep concern about Ms Suu Kyi`s health.
"She is very weak. We don`t know what is going to happen at this stage," said one student leader.
Asked if he thought Ms Suu Kyi might kill herself, he replied: "We really don`t know, but she is getting weaker and it doesn`t look good."
A senior Karen National Liberation Army figure said Ms Suu Kyi`s opportunity to play any role in the country`s future was diminishing.
"I would say she has no future role," said Colonel Nerdah Mya, son of the venerated General Bo Mya, who died in 2006.
"I think she will die in jail, under house arrest," he said during an interview inside Burma surrounded by bodyguards.
Colonel Nerdah, who has a junta-sponsored bounty on his head, conceded it would be a blow for all Burmese opposition groups if Ms Suu Kyi died.
But should the situation change in Burma and free and fair elections be held, he said he felt she could lead the country.
Colonel Nerdah said anyone could become president if they were the people`s choice.
"Anyone who wants to be president must be elected, anyone who wants to be a member of parliament must be elected," he said.
"But until we get rid of the SPDC (the ruling military junta) then everything we are talking about here is just a dream. There`s no point," he said.
Ms Suu Kyi is said to have refused food for almost four weeks now, but Burma`s police chief, Khin Yee, has dismissed such claims.
The revered opposition leader won general elections in 1990 but the country`s military rulers annulled the result and prevented her from assuming power.
Her father, General Aung San, is considered to be the father of modern-day Burma.
