The UN, the United States and opposition groups have voiced concern. Since 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi has been subjected to violent government-orchestrated attacks several times.

In June 1989, her car was shot at by troops near Mayangone junction, Rangoon. The government’s excuse was that the soldiers did not recognize Suu Kyi and the shooting was the result of a misunderstanding. The explanation rang hollow-she was already one of the most photographed and instantly recognizable faces in Asia.

Also in 1989, as she traveled across the country building support for her National League for Democracy Party, or NLD, there was regular harassment from the military. In Irrawaddy Division, for instance, Suu Kyi on several occasions had guns pointed at her and on one occasion was told by a captain that if she crossed the line, his troops would shoot her.

In November 1996, as Suu Kyi and NLD vice chairman Tin Oo drove to meet a crowd near Kokkine junction, Rangoon, a 200-strong mob attacked their car with iron bars and rocks. She was unhurt but Tin Oo suffered minor injuries. Witnesses said the young thugs arrived on military trucks. The attack took place in a lane in front of the house of senior NLD member Kyi Maung -a lane to which public access is not permitted.

More recently, on May 30, 2003 Aung San Suu Kyi’s convoy was ambushed by a government-orchestrated mob in Depayin, in Burma’s northwest Sagaing Division. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of her supporters were killed and hundreds more injured. Since then, Suu Kyi and Tin Oo have been under arrest.

On December 16 this year, the NLD announced its concern for her security, given the new government restrictions on the conditions of her house arrest. “We are gravely concerned about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s security as there is no one to take care of her security at present except for two women who are assisting her,” the NLD statement said.

Up until December, Suu Kyi’s personal physician Tin Myo Win was allowed to visit her three times a week but now he is permitted only once a week. In the past, she had thirteen NLD guards, but the junta decreed this month that she was allowed only six. In protest, Suu Kyi dismissed all of her security detail.

Kyaw Thwin, an NLD member who won a seat representing Kayan, Rangoon Division, spent ten years in prison. He claims that prison authorities mixed galena (lead sulfide) with the drinking water and as a result many prisoners suffered bone problems. He is concerned that the government might try to poison Suu Kyi, an action that would be easier now that she has no security detail.

Nyo Ohn Myint, currently foreign affairs deputy for the NLD in exile, was one of Aung San Suu Kyi’s bodyguards in 1988 and 1989. He claims that the role of the NLD guards is very important because they test all meals before she eats.

“In the Ukraine the opposition leader was poisoned, so maybe Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could be also poisoned,” said Nyo Ohn Myint. “I do not trust the junta with her life.”