BANGKOK, Aug 7: Myanmar pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi called Saturday for national reconciliation on the eve of the 11th anniversary of a bloody student uprising, saying soldiers need not fear retribution from a civilian government, reports AFP.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who heads the National League for Democracy (NLD). urged the ruling army and the people "to work hand in hand to achieve democracy, where the people govern the country".

"There is no question that the people's government will honour the role of the Tatmadaw (military)." said a transcript of the message distributed by the Alternative Asean Network on Burma (ALTSEAN), which said it was broadcast on Burmese-language radio.

ALTSEAN is a southeast Asian network of academics, non-governmental organisations and dissidents. Burma is the former name for Myanmar.

"We also want the Tatmadaw to know what we are trying to do for our country. To achieve this understanding we need to have the freedom to communicate and discuss," she said.

Sunday is the anniversary of the country's August 8. 1988, or 8/8/88, uprising in which hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators were gunned down and a Junta took power from military dictator Ne Win.

The NLD under Aung San Suu Kyi won an easy victory in 1990 elections but the military refuses to recognise the result and keeps the Nobel laureate under constant military surveillance at her Yangon home.

Calls by the NLD and inter-

national pressure for a transition of power have been met with harsh crackdowns, with hundreds of opposition members detained.

The junta has repeatedly spurned calls for dialogue with the NLD if Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero General Aung San. takes part.

It also dismisses accusations from the international community that it harbours drug lords and condones human rights abuses such as forced labour and rape.

Saturday's transcript also included a message from NLD vice-chairman Tin Go. who called for the military to downsize and stay out of national politics.

"The soldiers have to stay clear from party politics. Military men must work only as soldiers,” he said.