Myanmar Embassy in Washington, DC p

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

EMBASSY OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR	
WASHINGTON,  DC 


PRESS   RELEASE   7 / 98        							
7 August 1998


THE NLD AGAIN TURNS DOWN 
INVITATION TO MEET



		The NLD which has been sending letters to the authorities concerned almost
on a daily basis has once again rejected their offer to meet . In order that
frank and open discussions may be made regarding the letters, the authorities
invited the Chairman of the NLD U Aung Shwe to the Office of the Ministers on
Theinbyu Road on 8 August 1998 at 9 A.M. The letter of invitation was signed
by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Brigadier-General Thura Myint Maung
himself. U Aung Shwe acknowledged receipt of the letter on 7 August at 10:30
A.M. and informed the authorities that the invitation would be submitted to
the NLD Executive Committee. Subsequently, at 4:20 P.M. the same day he
replied that the invitation could not be accepted.

		In reality, those who profess to be politicians, should nor fail to
appreciate the importance of striking while the iron is hot and should not let
slip an opportunity to enter into wide-ranging discussions that could lead to
conciliatory talks. But regretably, the NLD which has always maintained a
confrontational stance towards the authorities, decided to turn down the
invitation. Indeed, the initiation of such measured steps are necessary to
establish confidence between two sides.



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