[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

NLD STATEMENT NO.18/97



The following is an unofficial translation of the NLD Statement
No. 18 regarding the meeting between the members of the NLD
Central Executive Committee and the Minister of Home Affairs of
the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), held at the
Ministry of Home Affairs on December 12, 1997.
==============================================

National League for Democracy
97-B, West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

Statement No 18/97            

1. At 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 1997 five Central Executive
Committee (CEC) members of the National League for Democracy
(NLD) (not including the chairman, two vice-chairmen, general
secretary and secretary) were summoned to meet with the Minister
of Home Affairs of the State Peace and  Development Council
(SPDC).

2. At about 13:30 p.m. (on the same day), an official of the
Ministry came to verbally inform the chairman of the NLD about
the meeting without formally informing the party in advance.
Despite this, bearing in mind the importance of developing smooth
relations and mutual understanding with state authorities, an NLD
delegation comprising five members went to meet with them at
their ministry.

3. The Minister of Home Affairs raised certain issues which his
superiors had wanted him to discuss with the NLD. In response,
the NLD delegation also stated its party positions.

4. The Minister for Home Affairs primarily raised, among other
things, two issues: the discontinuation of the NLD's regular
practice of issuing statements which the NLD has published so
many times, and matters regarding official activities of the NLD,
in particular the organizing activities of the general secretary
of party.

5. The NLD is a legal political party and was established with
the aim of bringing democracy and human rights to Burma. Being a
legal political party, the NLD therefore must perform its
official duties such as organizing activities and the issuing of
papers and statements promoting democracy. These undertakings do
not at all violate the  existing laws and orders.

6. In the meeting with the Minister, the NLD delegation discussed
these matters based on the  following two principles;

a) The NLD will hold discussions only with state authorities who
have the power to make decisions  on political matters:

b) The NLD will meet and hold talks with state authorities who
have the power to make decisions on administrative matters.

7. The Minister of Home Affairs never raised the issue of holding
a dialogue, (between the NLD and state authorities) which is a
political matter. The NLD delegation briefly told the minister
that the prevailing problems would be solved only through a
face-to-face dialogue. The minister however did not respond to
this.

8. Regarding the NLD's official duties, the party later heard the
authorities declare, "It's time for the NLD to stop its
activities... and if these are to be continued, the holding of a
dialogue and the national reconciliation that the NLD has been
talking about will be further away from reality. The NLD not the
state government will be responsible for this. And now is the
time for the leaders of the NLD to realize this and to review
their policies." The NLD contends that the accusations are
unfounded.

9. Because the NLD is a legal political party, its activities are
carried out within the framework of existing laws and orders. So
also, the publishing of necessary papers and statements is one of
the official duties of the party. This is not in violation of any
laws.

10. The NLD believes that the current social, political and
economic problems of the country can be tackled only through a
meaningful dialogue. The NLD also believes that the military
authorities have avoided this most viable  option under various
pretexts because they have no genuine desire to engage in
dialogue.

11. The NLD thereby states solemnly that the party has resolved
to strive steadfastly for the realization of a substantive
dialogue which it believes will offer solutions to the problems
of Burma.

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
Date: 5 Waning Moon of Nattaw, 1359
December 19, 1997

*****************************************************************