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BURMESE VERSION



NLD Holds First General Meeting in a Decade

By MIN LWIN Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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Sixty-three senior officials of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and 95 elected members of parliament from the party gathered on Tuesday for their first general meeting in more than a decade.

“At least 150 NLD members attended the meeting,” said Soe Win, one of the attendees, adding that foreign diplomats and reporters were also present at an opening ceremony held this morning.

Members of the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy stand guard during the party's meeting Tuesday at its headquarters in Rangoon. (Photo: AP)
Win Tin, a prominent member of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) who was released last year after 19 years in prison, delivered the opening address, he added.

During the two-day gathering, the NLD will discuss the three key issues of party organization, constitutional review and the party’s stance on recent political developments, according to Ohn Kyaing, an NLD spokesperson.

Asked to elaborate, Ohn Kyaing declined to provide further details.

“We will release an official statement soon,” he said, adding simply that the party would “discuss all the issues that people are talking about.”

The most pressing issue facing the party is whether it will take part in a junta-sponsored election planned for next year. Under existing election rules, any party that fails to field at least three candidates in the election must be disbanded.

“It is a challenge for the NLD, because if the party is deregistered, what will it do?” said Nyo Ohn Myint of the exiled National league for Democracy—Liberated Area (NLD-LA).

Aung Shwe, chairman of the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party, delivers a speech during the party's meeting. (Photo: AP)
However, NLD chairman Aung Shwe indicated today that the party wouldn’t allow the junta to force its hand.

Speaking at the opening of the party meeting, Aung Shwe said the NLD would wait until new election and party registration laws come out before making a decision on whether to participate in the election.

“We have to wait and see whether they will be based on democratic principles,” Aung Shwe said at the opening of the party meeting.

The NLD has so far expressed little interest in taking part in the election, which would be the first since 1990, when the party won 82 percent of the seats. Most of the party’s 392 elected officials have since been forced to resign or have gone into exile. At least 13 are still in prisons across the country.

The last time the party attempted to hold a general meeting, in 1998, dozens of elected members were detained and interrogated by the military authorities. The party last held a meeting in 1997.

According to reports, police were deployed near party headquarters on Monday while dozens of plainclothes policemen watched the building from across the street and a convoy of four to seven trucks carrying anti-riot police cruised the city.



COMMENTS (11)
 
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Salai Thang Wrote:
09/05/2009
It is a time to dedicate our life for the nation. Is NLD ready to dedicate?

Don't say "something is better than nothing." It is a weak man's idea. Even if you aim high, you may get a middle one.

We need a hero. Otherwise, get away.

Venus & Mars Wrote:
01/05/2009
Educating to people of what really is the essence of democracy, rules of law and such are badly needed first. Unlikely to reach perfect democracy that soon, but one step forwards is better than deadlock for decades. If both sides do not compromise, absolutely no sun light for the faith of our country and citizens.

Majority ethnics are already dispersed, exploited, likely to be part of Thai minority. All educated are brain-drained. Can’t bear any longer deteriorating. Especially moral collapse at every social class is devastating. Please don't be stubborn. Just take any steps forward.

We all know that we cannot tame uncivilized roofs and Madam Macbeth. Please find ways to save our next generation not to be sinking in unethical society. Something is better than nothing, even though it won't be 100 percent democracy. To exit rules of law, evacuate from poverty, upward moral curve, basic human security is much more important than the ideal government and boycotting.

Salai Hmung Wrote:
30/04/2009

With all due respect, I’m a bit concerned and worried about the age of the NLD leadership. Look at them; most of them are in their 60s and 70s. I’ve got a feeling—but maybe I’m wrong—that what the NLD needs is not only a clear vision and fresh political thinking for the Burmese people, but also fresh and young leaders who can narrow the gab between the young and old leaderships. Otherwise, if something happens, God forbid, to the aging NLD leaders, what will happen to the party and Burmese people? The NLD should prepare for that.

Kyi May Kaung (Ph.D.) Wrote:
29/04/2009
There already is a well-articulated vision, being put together with the help of international scholars, the NCGUB and NLD. This encompasses constitutional review, economics, civil-military relations, electoral law and system etc.

See Ko Wild’s interview with U Bo Hla Tint in Mizzima.

I agree it's a clever trap set by the SPDC.

The democracy side will be damned if it does (participate in 2010 election) and damned if it doesn't.

The international community should not treat 2010 as if it were real. It's a sham election, not real.

So far things have failed not because the democracy movement "has no vision," but because the military government has the guns and the oppressive mechanism.

Donors want to see dialogue so groups talk dialogue, but in this case it won't work unless the junta really talks too.

Often it does not even see Mr Gambari, nor Mr Ban Ki-moon.

I wish people would stop blaming the victims. including the NLD.

Have you no better idea or nothing better to do?

rawna Wrote:
29/04/2009
If the NLD participates in the coming junta-sponsored election it would mean that the NLD accepts military election rules. If the NLD does not participate, the party will be disbanded/deregistered. So, it's a challenge. But even if the NLD participates, what good will come out? They will not win. Even if they do win they will not be handed power. So, please boycott the dictator Than Shwe’s election. The best thing is to boycott it.

peacebuilderdoc Wrote:
29/04/2009
Well said, Myint Thein! I hope they are discussing issues of governance and how the issues of the people will be addressed on the ground and not just abstract political issues.

Terry Evans Wrote:
29/04/2009
Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry!

Myint Thein Wrote:
29/04/2009
In the box that they are in, the NLD have no good choices.

They need to break out of the box—stop thinking about elections, constitutions, 1990, dialogue with the SPDC, Gambari, sanctions, and legal appeals.

They need instead to come up with a different and clearer vision, grounded in political and economic realities, of how Burma will become a democratic and developing country in 10-20 years time. Without this vision they will get nowhere.

Forget about asking the outside world for help, or expecting that any mix of pressure or persuasion will convince the army leadership to change their stripes.

It's not about political change at the top. It's about changing the whole fabric of the country.

plan B Wrote:
29/04/2009
For those who care to learn more and make independent decision:

http://fora.tv/2008/03/25/A_Panel_Discussion_on_the_Crisis_in_Burma

MyoChitThuNYC Wrote:
29/04/2009
It took only a decade for the NLD to hold a general meeting. They do not make any decision on joining the elections but will "wait and see," just like they've done for the last 20 years. I am disappointed by the old and ineffective leadership of Aung Shwe and the "uncles" that are in the NLD CEC. They should resign and be replaced by younger and more capable members. The current NLD leadership is so inefficient that Than Shwe keeps Aung San Suu Kyi locked up and lets Aung Shwe runs the NLD.

Yan Sai Wrote:
29/04/2009
What the NLD needs now is not to wait, but to make a policy which urges the people and international community not to recognize the 2010 election. Where is the NCGUB? Still sleeping and drinking? Where is Sein Win and its members, such as Thaung Tun? Are they really interested in Burma's politics? If not, just go away and let young people into their places. The NLD itself needs to do it right now.
Now the NLD chairman is still saying "wait." I don't understand why. A lot of evidence has shown that stupid Than Shwe and his stupid brothers-in-law have killed even the people and monks. How long do we need to wait for them to go to democratic principles? Until we're all killed? Objectively, for the sake of the country, we, the people, need to get the SPDC and NLD off the stage, and then again we will earn new fresh ideas with young people. Basically, all those guys are stupid on both sides.





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