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NLD Korea's Message for Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

By Nay Tun Naing General Secretary of the National League for Democracy Korea Branch

Source  :  Asian Workers News No. 130 (May 19, 2002)

I am glad to share about my opinion on ¡°current political situations inside Burma¡± on half of National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Korea Branch. We are too delighted to know about the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after 19 months of under house arrest on the morning of 6 May, 2002. As you know, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not only the General Secretary of National League for Democracy but also our national leader. She is one of Noble Peace Laureates as Kim Dae-Jung, the president of Republic of Korea. I dare to say that all the Burmese People around the world are behind her to change democratic atmosphere in our beloved mother-land, Burma.

We are also profoundly honored and pleased to note that heads of states and foreign ministers from different countries all over the world, as well as many organizations, including the United Nations, Republic of Korea and the media-publications, radio and television stations-have been expressing their support for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

I would like to suggest that the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cannot be considered as a democratic victory, it nevertheless has opened up opportunities for the NLD as well as other political parties, the nation, and the people (including ethnic nationalities) to take further steps toward democracy and human rights. The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is an indication that the confidence-building phase between the NLD and the authorities has been completed. To go beyond that phase, steps should be taken for the immediate holding of substantive political talks.

We do welcome the announcement by the military government that every citizen shill be allowed to participate freely in the life of the political process. That's why, I deeply believe that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be able to freely engage in politics and also she shill travel across the country to inspect other NLD offices and meet with organizing committees in the near future. It's the most important that all political prisoners must be speedily released unconditionally. At the present moment the pace of releases is slow. The release of political prisoners on humanitarian grounds will improve political conditions.

I am very sure to say that today Burma is facing serious problems. Those are the result of the 1990 general election, national convention, drawing up of a state constitution, and other sectors such as politics, economy, social (health and education) and foreign investment are all policy matters and they should be solved through negotiation. The NLD will continue to adhere to its original policies as long as the matters remain unresolved. The NLD is always ready and willing to cooperate with the authorities in order to resolve the country's political, economic, and social issues. The NLD's approaches will be flexible in these matters.

We wish to respectfully put on record its deep gratitude to the special envoy of the UN secretary general Kofi Annan, Mr. Razali Ismail, whose efforts have helped to build confidence between NLD and the authorities. We continue to be concerned for the safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi bearing in mind the violent attack on her and other colleagues in 1996 after she had been earlier released. Given the fact that this attack by unknown group was in full glare of the security police, the government should take responsibility for her safety and ensure that events do not recur.

I admit that we do need the support and sympathy of countries who have had tremendous experience in the struggle for Democracy, like South Korea. Now South Korea is under the administration of President Kim Dae-Jung, who won Noble Peace Prize in 2000 for his utmost commitment for world peace, Unification in Korea Peninsula and also Democracy and Human Rights. Therefore, we sincerely and urgently appeal Korea government and also Korean people to support the Burmese Democratic Movements as following:

(1) To recognize the result of 1990 May 27 General Election which NLD won the landslide victory with over 82% of the vote.

(2) To pay special attention to current political developments inside Burma and closely monitor the dialogue process between NLD and military regime.

(3) To pressure Burmese military government to release all of the remaining political prisoners as quickly as possible.

(4) To refrain any cooperation or coordination with the military government in Burma, which would enhance, support or sustain their illegal rule, in order that the people of Burma would be supported and encouraged towards their's endeavors for a democratic Burma.
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