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NLD STATEMEMTS NO.71 AND 94. (r)
/* posted 25 Sep 1998 by nldburma@ in igc:reg.burma */
/* -------" NLD STATEMENTS NO.71 AND 94 "----------- */
National League for Democracy
No: (97/b) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon
Statement No: 71 (9/98)
1. NLD members that have been illegally arrested since
the 27 May 1998
by the authorities are:-
Elected Parliament members 200
Organising committee members from all levels 712
These arrests are illegal and in complete violation of
the "rule of law" which the authorities proclaim.
2. The authorities claim that the purpose of such
arrests are for "discussions" to look good in the eyes
of the people and the international community.
3. Their claim is absolutely false, ( repeat absolutely
false). The questions that are put to them which have
to be answered will bear evidence to this fact. Some of
these questions are:-
(1) What is your attitude to the present political
direction being taken by the NLD?
(2) What are your views regarding the convening of
parliament by the NLD?
(3) What are your predictions about the consequences if
the Parliament is not convened?
(4) If the Parliament is convened how will it impact on
the politics, economics, education, and social welfare
of the country?
(5) What is your attitude towards the State Peace and
Development Council?
(6) What is your attitude towards the authorities for
arresting you?
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
23 September 1998.
****************
National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegondine
Bahan Township, Rangoon
Statement 94 (10/98)
1. The Military Intelligence Service has illegally
arrested and held NLD parliamentarians, NLD members of
organising committees (States, Divisions, Townships,
Wards, and Villages), and ordinary members for no
legitimate reason but purely out of spite making a
mockery of the "rule of law " which is being
proclaimed.
2. These illegal arrests and imprisonment and abuse of
power to the extreme are being falsely reported as "
holding discussions ". This is a mean and shameful
strategy and should not be resorted to. In law,
depriving a person of the comfort and company of his
family and home life by taking him away through the use
of authority and power, amounts to illegal restraint
and imprisonment. The truth of the matter is that no
discussion took place. It was out and out arrest and
interrogation.
The questions put to them by the military intelligence
were:-
(a) Questions similar to those that have been embodied
in NLD statement 71(9/98).
(b) Calling for the convening of the people's parliament
by the NLD- is it lawful or not?
(c) Whether or not you will attend the parliament
convened by the NLD.
(d) Whether the NLD was given the mandate to convene
parliament.
3. The NLD members who are under arrest have committed
no criminal offence nor have they violated any
provision of law that is right and proper. They are
persons of good repute who desire genuine democracy and
human rights for the country and are working towards
that goal.
4. The people voted in NLD members to parliament with
one voice because they had confidence in their
integrity. They believed that the individuals they
voted for would act for the good of the country and
they approved of the policies and activities of the
party.
5. These individuals in whom the people laid their trust
and who have the ability to perform tasks for the good
of the country are now suffering arrest and
imprisonment. The military intelligence personnel are
treating these highly respectable individuals in a very
shabby manner.
(a) Instead of admitting that they had been arrested
and imprisoned, it is falsely reported that "
discussions " are taking place. Genuine discussions do
not go on for such a long period of time.
(b) In addition to these lies, they permit some of the
NLD parliamentarians to spend a day or a night with
their families or otherwise on a Saturday or a Sunday
making it appear that they are having a break. This is
an attempt to demoralise the individual and members of
his family. Such contemptible strategies should not be
adopted.
(c) Without their consent, photographs with videos and
cameras are taken of them sometimes when they are
allowed to meet with their families, or when they are
having a meal together. This is for the purpose of
presenting to the world a false picture. This is
shameful behaviour void of fellow feeling or
compassion.
(d) The military intelligence personnel deceitfully
told those NLD parliamentarians who were permitted to
return to their homes for a short visit that if they
stopped their association with the NLD or if members of
the NLD did not contact them, they would be allowed more
visits- perhaps once a week or once a month. This is an
attempt to drive a wedge in between the members of the
party, a most demeaning trait of character.
(e) Some NLD members were abruptly forced to leave
while taking a meal with the family by the military
intelligence personnel. This again reveals the lack of
common courtesy and fellow feeling.
6. The Central Executive Committee of the NLD
enthusiastically applauds the NLD parliamentarians for
not caving in but standing firm and adhering to the
policies laid down by the party, despite the mental and
physical hardships imposed on them. We announce our
pride and joy in this matter. This is evidence of the
fact that an individual's firm convictions cannot be
demolished in any way and under no circumstances.
Similarly we applaud the tenacious spirit of their
families.
7. The crafty activities of the military personnel as
enumerated above is despicable and akin to the methods
used in communist and fascist countries. Now is the
time when the NLD and other democracy activists and the
people are striving with all their might to bring about
a multi-party democratic system.
8. The activities of the military personnel are
deliberately designed to deceive the special envoy of
the Secretary General of the United Nations who is in
the country at this time. If they are genuine and want
to show it they can immediately and unconditionally
release all -by this we mean all- the NLD members who
have been restrained and or imprisoned. By now the
"discussions" should be over.
9. The National League for Democracy rebukes and
denounces the military intelligence services for the
above activities. We hereby announce that we are
determined to implement the results of the 1990 general
elections by the convening of parliament and to take
whatever necessary steps even though the
parliamentarians are being made the scapegoats. We will
stand firm and not waver one bit and continue in our
efforts to convene the people's parliament.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
29 October 1998.