NLD Special Statement– 2/12/09

National League for Democracy
No. 97/b, West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

February 17, 2009

Special Statement – 2/12/09

1. The State Peace and Development Council issued the Statement No. 1/2007 on 4th October, 2007 regarding the dialogue between Senior General Than Shwe, the Chairperson of SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of NLD. Instead of arguing each other about some facts described in the paragraph (7) of above mentioned statement, these two people who are playing a decisive role for the future of our country, should meet each other without prior conditions. Therefore, it would be the best way for them to solve the problems face to face instead of corresponding each other.

2. Dialogue becomes an international practice in the age of globalization in order to solve domestic as well as international problems. NLD has also been attempting to bring about a dialogue for the benefit of the country and its people. NLD always welcomes the authorities' remarks saying the door for dialogue is always open. It is also needed to meet one another and solve problems through the 'open door of dialogue'.

3. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has publicly issued her position on 6th May, 2002, in which she said that she would accept any dialogue in flexible manner in order to have best result for Burmese people.

4. Confrontation, utter devastation, economic sanctions and total block which are described in the paragraph (7) of SPDC's Statement No. 1/2007 are not beneficial to the country and all people. Therefore, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi informed authorities through U Aung Kyi, Minister for Relation, that she was ready to cooperate and issue the joint communiqué to prevent these problems from happening. NLD, with a good will, urges again these two people who could decide the country's problems, to make a dialogue.

5. It is not true that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi refused to meet U Aung Kyi, Minister for Relation on 2nd September, 2008. In fact, she was not able to meet him at that time. It is important that dialogues benefit the country and its people.

6. When the NLD CEC members including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with Mr. Ibrahim Gambari on 2nd February, 2009, we explained lack of rights to defend with lawyers and lack of rights for lawyers to enter court room when authorities placed lawsuits against democracy and human rights activists, long sentences and lack of proper procedures on legal appeals, and so on, to demonstrate lack of rule of law. In so doing, we just emphasized the 'rule of law' which is one of authorities' political goals.

7. Another point we discussed with special envoy was about economic development for our country.. NLD representatives responded that it could not be discussed as we still did not know the causes for economic development and how to bring about it.

8. Moreover, UN General Secretary issued a statement calling for the SPDC, NLD and democratic forces to meet one another without prior conditions with intention for the National Reconciliation and meaningful dialogues.

9. NLD welcomes the above mentioned statement. However, although NLD has been attempting to bring about a dialogue in flexible manner, SPDC is still absent to do so to bring about the dialogue.

As per the decision of the Central Executive Meeting held on 16-02-09,

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon