[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
Text:U.S. Deeply regrets Burma's Fa
- Subject: Text:U.S. Deeply regrets Burma's Fa
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 21:00:00
Title: TEXT: U.S. DEEPLY REGRETS BURMA'S FAILURE TO CONVENE
PARLIAMENT (Calls for dialogue between Burmese government,
people) (390)
Date: 19980821
Text:
Washington -- The U.S. Department of State issued a statement
August 21 regretting the
Burmese government's rejection of the National League for
Democracy's (NLD) call to
convene the parliament elected in 1990.
"The solution to Burma's political impasse can only be
achieved through a meaningful
dialogue between the Burmese government and the
representatives of the Burmese
people," the statement said.
Following is the official State Department text:
(begin text)
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman
August 21, 1998
STATEMENT BY JAMES B. FOLEY, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
BURMA -- AUGUST 21 DEADLINE FOR CONVENING THE PARLIAMENT
In June of this year, Burma's primary opposition party, the
National League for
Democracy (NLD), called on the ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) to
convene the parliament elected in 1990 by today, August 21.
We deeply regret the
Burmese government's rejection of this historic opportunity
to respond to the NLD's call.
The solution to Burma's political impasse can only be
achieved through a meaningful
dialogue between the Burmese government and the
representatives of the Burmese
people. We note the informal meeting held on Tuesday, August
18, between General Khin
Nyunt, SPDC Secretary One, and Aung Shwe, Chairman of the
NLD. We hope that the
government's initiative in inviting Aung Shwe to this meeting
will be a first step leading to a
meaningful dialogue. We support the NLD's long expressed
commitment to reconciliation
through genuine dialogue.
If a genuine dialogue is to succeed it must be without
conditions and include all interested
groups -- the government, the NLD, including its leader Aung
San Suu Kyi, and
representatives of Burma's ethnic minorities. We hope it will
be accompanied very soon
by genuine confidence-building measures on the government's
part, including the release of
political prisoners and detained Members of Parliament.
Such a dialogue would be a means to larger ends: the
restoration of democracy in Burma,
an improved standard of living for all Burmese people, and
the resumption of Burma's
rightful place in the community of nations. To that end, the
United States remains
committed to working in partnership with all parties of good
will in Burma and with others
in the international community.
(end text)