ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 16, 1996 TAG: 9612160151
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Seven countries signed an agreement Sunday to take part in a military force that could be deployed under the United Nations flag to crisis spots.
The agreement was signed by the defense ministers of Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Poland, Norway and the Netherlands and the Austrian chief of staff.
The 4,000-strong Stand-by Forces High-Readiness Brigade would be deployed on orders from the U.N. Security Council in situations that are tense but present little danger of fighting.
The agreement allows each country the option of staying out of a particular operation without preventing the rest of the brigade's taking part.
- Associated Press
Burma calms protest
by medical students
RANGOON, Burma - Heavy security around a downtown Rangoon medical school was lifted Sunday after the government sent nearly all the students back to their homes in the countryside to quell the largest street demonstrations since a 1988 nationwide democracy uprising.
Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi remained confined to her home, however, disappointing about 200 followers who hoped she would come out and speak to them.
The government has accused Suu Kyi of fomenting the recent unrest, but students who staged demonstrations in Rangoon and Mandalay last week have denied any link to her or her political party. They are calling for an end to police brutality, the right to form a students union and more civil liberties.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB