Members of Burma's National League for Democracy say authorities have detained three democracy activists today, just hours before a ceremony in Rangoon marking the 18th anniversary of the party's founding.
They say at least two of those detained helped lead pro-democracy demonstrations in the past.
The NLD won national elections by a landslide in 1990, but Burma's military did not allow it to assume power.
Party leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention for 10 of the past 16 years. The Nobel Peace Laureate was most recently taken into custody in May 2003. The military government announced a one-year extension of her house arrest in May.
The U.S. State Department marked today's anniversary with a statement expressing support for Aung San Suu Kyi.
The statement also praises the UN Security Council for putting Burma on its permanent agenda, and said the repression of the NLD by Burma's military government affects stability in the region.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.
