NLD Issues Statement

[ncgub@xxxxxxxxxxx]

The National League for Democracy has issued a  Press Statement
dated September 28, 1996.
 
 
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Press Statement  
by U Aung Shwe 
Chairman of the National League for Democracy 
28 September 1996 
 
There is no foundation to the accusations made by the State authorities 
that arrangements for the All Burma Congress of the National League for 
Democracy were made in collusion with the United States and other 
foreign powers.   It is the policy of the NLD, as a party which has 
received the mandate of the people of Burma through free and fair 
elections, to maintain friendly relations with as many diplomats as 
possible in the interest of international understanding. 
 
It should not be necessary for a political party to seek permission 
from the authorities to carry out its legitimate activities.  It is the 
legitimate work of a political party to hold party conferences at 
regular intervals.  It should be noted that the NLD has in the past 
held conferences without seeking permission from the government.   The State 
Law and Order Restoration Council, which claims that it is seeking to 
promote multi-party democracy, should do everything it can to encourage 
the movements of political parties.  Steps to prevent normal party work 
from proceeding belies such a claim. 
 
It is only appropriate that the NLD should choose to hold its party 
congress on the eighth anniversary of its founding.  The assertion of 
the authorities that the NLD intended to adopt resolutions and to make 
demands aimed at creating confusion and undermining the stability of 
the state is entirely untrue.  The NLD is a responsible political party 
which is constantly striving to achieve conditions that will ensure 
peace and progress within the nation. 
 
The SLORC and the USDA {{Union Solidarity and Development Association}}  
have recently marked their respective anniversaries with great pomp and publicity.  It is 
therefore hard to understand why the NLD should not be able to hold a 
party congress without interference from the authorities. 
 
The authorities are claiming once again, as they did when they detained 
elected representatives of the NLD last May, that representatives and 
members of the NLD arrested over the last few days are merely being 
held for questioning.  Such arrests are irresponsible and, in view of past 
experience, the explanation is unacceptable.  It is typical of the 
present military regime that they should try to resolve political 
dfferences through draconian measures instead of finding a constructive 
course of action which would be of benefit to all concerned.  The NLD 
calls upon the authorities for the immediate release of all those who 
have been arrested and for an end to the restrictions imposed on the 
legitimate activities of the party. 
 
Aung Shwe 
Chairman 
National League for Democracy 

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