Shan Ethnic Cease-fire Group Refuse

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Dear ABSDF,

    Since you have got the letter of SNPLO written on 16th Sep 98, I am sure
that you would have got their letter dated 17th Sep 98 in which they have
clearly mentioned that they withdrew their support for NLD. I don't have their
original letter but someone read out for me on phone today and I wrote it
down. 

     This SNPLO's letter has two paragraphs and in the second paragraph it
mentioned that their Central Committee withdrew their support for NLD. This
letter was  signed by U Takalel, Chairman of the SNPLO

      By the way, I have to argue with one of your previous media release that
said Col. Myo Myint was detained was totally incorrect. His PA is very close
to me and I can confirm about it. 

ok

lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> Media Release
>  September 29, 1998
>  
>  Shan Ethnic Cease-fire Group Refuses to Withdraw Support for NLD
>  
>  Despite mounting pressure from the Burmese military junta, a
>  cease-fire group in southern Shan State has refused to withdraw
>  support for the National League for Democracy's (NLD) call to
>  convene parliament.
>  
>  The refusal was made in a politely worded letter to the junta
>  dated September 16 from the Shan Nationalities Peoples'
>  Liberation Organisation (SNPLO), following the group's meeting
>  with Burmese military officers in the Shan State capital on
>  September 4.
>  
>  The letter, signed by U Takalel, Chairman of the SNPLO, stated
>  that the group's view of the country's current political
>  situation could be different to that of the Burmese military.
>  
>  "Our views are not influenced by any foreign countries or
>  organisations. We are simply presenting our opinion that there is
>  an urgent need for the SPDC and democratic forces, including the
>  NLD and ethnic nationality groups, to solve Burma's political
>  problems without any pre-conditions."
>  
>  The group is one of three cease-fire groups that co-signed an
>  earlier letter urging the Burmese military to enter into dialogue
>  with the opposition NLD.  The other groups are the Kayan Newland
>  Party and the Karenni National Peoples' Liberation Front.
>  
>  This letter, dated August 14, stated that the National
>  Convention, set up in 1993 by the military to draft a
>  Constitution, is no longer relevant to the current political
>  climate in Burma. The groups stated that they believe now is an
>  opportune time to build a new Union of Burma in which all
>  nationalities enjoy equal rights and equal representation.
>  
>  At approximately the same time, several other cease-fire groups,
>  including the New Mon State Party, sent letters to the Burmese
>  military stating their support for parliament. However, Burmese
>  military authorities summoned the representatives of these
>  cease-fire groups and demanded that they withdraw their letters. 
>  
>  Many cease-fire groups withdrew their support.  However, the
>  SNPLO has refused to comply with the demand.  It is not known
>  whether the two co-signatories of the letter to the SPDC have
>  also refused to withdraw their support for the NLD.
>  
>  All Burma Students' Democratic Front 
>  
>  For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984
>  
>