ARTICLE : The end of the road

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The end of the road
( written by Byatti )  

  I cannot say if it is because the people could foresee the end of the
National League for Democracy that they were not interested in the
flourishing of a tradition inside NLD of smearing one another with soot and
getting at one another after the Thingyan.
U Than Tun , representative-elect of Dedaye Township, who did not usually
take part in the rehearsals of the NLD*s nodding dance, was one not to be
ignored. He saw things and moved fast. He met the Press at his place on 11
May.
However, I cannot say for sure why the respective journalists spiked the
news. It was perhaps for fear of getting affected by acrid fumes; it
drowned in shallow water. To put it more explicitly, it was not just normal
news for news-hunters. It was a scoop! It could be called the follow-up
story of the problems arising from the smearing with soot and savagely
throwing water at one another.
It is difficult to say if this scoop getting drowned in shallow water was
deliberately an effort to save face for the NLD*s disreputable political
role by covering things up or that the NLD*s muddled stories were not
talked about any more.
Their purpose to meet the Press was clarify the matters concerning the NLD
Politburo*s accusation against U Than Tun, representative U Tin Tun Maung
of Mingaladon Constituency and U Kyi Win of the NLD. The organizer U Than
Tun acted as the master of ceremonies and opened the press conference with
a speech on the purpose of organizing it and their attitude.
In clarifying the matters, U Tin Tun Maung explained that they assumed it
would be fruitful to submit a paper to the NLD with pure-mindedness in
connection with the issue of emergence of State Constitution.
He continued to say that whenever opportune, he met with some
representatives outside and organized to submit the proposal paper, that
the paper was not intended to bring the NLD or any person to any detriment,
and that the paper included suggestions that the NLD should review the
present activities and adopt, and carry out new strategies for emergence of
a State Constitution which is really essential for the nation.
He affirmed that they compiled the paper without any other person*s
pressure, that they did so according to their own independent attitude and
views, and that they were free from any persuasion or interference.
Similarly, U Kyi Win continued to clarify matters. He said that the NLD
allegedly accused them of certain acts, that he refuted the accusation that
they were people of the military government and those of the military
intelligence, and said that they presented their constructive views of
continued existence of the NLD.

U Kyi Win also stated that even before their paper was submitted, the NLD
feeling guilt conscious and preparing to face the challenge, issued various
declarations and announced that they were traitors to the party.
In presenting his views, U Tun Shwe, representative of Monyo Township
Constituency, said that the NLD was resuscitating the Ghandi Hall policy
and strategies; in accord with their Ghandi Hall Declaration, the handing
over power was the first priority and drafting of the State Constitution
was the second; the government issued Declaration No. 1/90 and prevented
it; and as result, a parallel government emerged in the jungles.
Under those circumstances, the legal chairman of the NLD U Aung Shwe took
lessons and removed the plan to get power, and let the NLD stand in dignity
while taking part in the steps for emergence of a State Constitution; soon,
however, NLD was confiscated as if it were recovery of some debt, and
dictatorship was established within the party; today, as the ten-member
committee was following the path of the Ghandi Hall Declaration, there was
growing difference between the government and the NLD.
Representative U Hla Soe of Minbu-Sagu Township Constituency expressed his
stand. He said he was a delegate who attended the National Convention to
draft the constitution and Chairman of NLD U Aung Shwe knew well the honest
efforts for national reconsolidation.
While they were attending the National Convention, Daw Suu Kyi called up
the representatives to her residence and told them to boycott the National
Convention. He protested it and reported that such act led to political
loss for NLD and there were difference on the matters.
Therefore, he resigned from National League for Democracy from December
1996. In other words, he had nothing to do with NLD. But he had the same
attitude on emergence of the constitution. That was why he signed and
supported the paper of U Than Tun and U Tin Tun Maung, he explained.
Although there paper was not the one that attacked the NLD, the NLD accused
all those who compiled the paper of traitors and minions of Intelligence.
They said simply they felt sorry for that.
According to them, there are over 20 representatives who resigned from NLD
as they had difference on ideology but they have not resigned yet from
being Hluttaw representatives-elect. Those persons want to cooperate any
organization for emergence of the constitution.
They said emergence of the constitution was the most needed matter of State
and they were determined to make continued efforts for it as the national
duty.
Their attitudes and stands do not hinder the future objectives of the
State. But, how much they would be able to express their attitudes and
stands is a matter of uncertainty.
According to political development, the situation they expected could not
come about. Although they said they had nothing to do with National League
for Democracy, the seats they represented were under this signboard of
National League for Democracy.
Despite NLD being an official political party, there will not be political
life in that party. Though authorities concerned have not yet taken such
action against the party as abolishing the party and declaration as
unlawful organization, people*s desire has rejected the NLD*s rights to
exist. Resignation of elected representatives from the party, voters*
submission of petition expressing their non-confidence and no support to
those representatives and resignation of most party members after removing
the signboards of the party and dissolving Township NLDs are defining the
bleak future of NLD.
Under these conditions, it is not an easy matter to choose the best way for
NLD. Especially, reforms in the party must be done decisively in accord
with the rules and regulations of Election Commission. Do responsible
persons of NLD dare face that situation?

If they try to patch up the NLD, embracing such things as law of
un-certainty chaos theory and fuzzy logic of a person, it is too late. They
have reached the end of the road.

(Translation  WY )

Source :  The New Light of Myanmar , 21, June ,1999




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