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Media Release

Burma

26th September 1998
ABC Demanding recognition of the
"Committee representing the Pyithu Hluttaw".

"It is high time the international community gave complete legal and
political recognition to the Committee representing the Pyithu Hluttaw,"
said U Tin Tut, who was elected in the May 1990 election in Burma for the
NLD and now resides in Australia.

The Australia Burma Council (ABC) recognises the "Committee" as the only
legal body inside Burma with the authority to convene a parliament.  We
support the call by U Tin Tut for the international community to give legal
and political recognition to the "Committee" as a matter of urgency.  The
ABC will make every effort to lobby the Australian Government and all
Members and Senators of the Parliament to secure recognition for the
"Committee" and the implementation of economic sanctions should the military
refuse to comply with the decisions of the "Committee".

In a statement released on the 25th September U Tin Tut reiterated his
support for the 10 person committee which was set up by the NLD to represent
the Peoples Parliament.  "The Committee will speak on behalf of the Peoples
Parliament until the political climate in Burma is conducive to a full
Peoples Parliament being convened.  The  "Committee representing the Pyithu
Hluttaw" has my moral and legal support", he said.

Background

In May 1998, the 8th anniversary of the 1990 General Elections in Burma, the
NLD issued an ultimatum to the military of Burma that Parliament must be
convened by the 21st August.  The military responded by illegally detaining
(as at 17th September) 195 NLD elected politicians, 639 NLD members and
hundreds of students and NLD supporters.  Aware of the potential for this to
occur the NLD insured their plan by acquiring the legal authority of 250 NLD
elected politicians representing 54.6% of the surviving Peoples Parliament
members, 41 elected politicians from the Shan, Rakhine, Mon and Zomi and 10
elected politicians (in exile) from the NCGUB.

On the 14th August 1998 the NLD also secured the support of political
parties, representing non-Burman ethnic states, which did not participate in
the 1990 General Elections. They are: the New Mon State Party, (NMSP), a
signatory of a cease-fire agreement with the military, the Shan
Nationalities Peoples Liberation Organisation (SNPLO), a signatory of a
cease-fire agreement with the military, Karenni Nationalities Peoples
Liberation Front (KNPLF), a signatory of a cease-fire agreement with the
military and the Kayan New Land party (KNLP).

With this legal authority the NLD has now formed the "Committee acting for,
and on behalf of, the Pyithu Hluttaw which were elected at the 1990
Multi-party General Elections", abbreviated to "Committee representing the
Pyithu Hluttaw".

Media Information:	Dr Myint Cho		(02) 9264 7694
                                 	Amanda Zappia		(02) 6297 7734


Free Burma Coalition, Australia

Working for the:
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Federation of Trade Unions, Burma
Australia Burma Council

PO Box 2024, Queanbeyan  NSW  2620
Ph: +61-2-6297-7734  Fax: +61-2-6297-7773