Media Release on 25 Jan.

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Media Release
January 25, 1999

Burmese Military Forces People to Sign No-Confidence Document Against NLD MP

The Burmese military junta forced the people in a town in central Burma to
sign papers withdrawing support for and expressing no-confidence in a
prominent Member of Parliament (MP) from the National League For Democracy
(NLD), creating confusion and disbelief among the people over the new tactic.

The new tactic, perceived to be a means to increase pressure on the NLD and
its MPs, was introduced by the regime on December 15. During three rallies,
military authorities forced more than 50,000 people in Taungtha, Mandalay
Division to sign documents expressing a lack of confidence in U Than Tun,
the NLD MP elected to Parliament from Taungtha-2 Constituency.  The papers
were then handed over to the Township Election Commission. 

More than a month later, on January 22, military authorities, citing a
report from the Election Commission, announced that U Than Tun was no
longer supported by the people. The declaration did not mention whether U
Than Tun remains an MP. 

U Than Tun won 47.79% of the votes cast in the electorate in the 1990
election. However the military announcement stated that his election win
has been rejected by 89.78% of the electorate.  Local people are confused
over the announcement, particularly the inconsistent statistics.  They
believe that U Than Tun is being targeted in this manner because of his
role within the NLD and the Committee to Represent the People's Parliament
(CRPP).

U Than Tun, 77, is a member of the CRPP formed and led by the NLD in its
effort to convene Parliament. He is also the chief organiser of the NLD for
Upper Burma, head of the party's workers committee, and was a prominent
labour activist and Parliamentarian during Prime Minister U Nu's Government
in 1958.  

Foreign Affairs Secretary for the All Burma Students' Democratic Front
(ABSDF), Aung Naing Oo, said that the new tactic of using the people
against prominent NLD officials will continue.  "There are seven MPs in the
CRPP and it's highly likely that the remaining six will be subjected to
similar abuse by the military regime."

Legal sources have stated that the regime's latest move is not permitted

under any legislation in Burma.

Today's state-run Burmese newspapers denounced U Than Tun for remaining as
an MP "despite withdrawal of support from the people". The papers called
for his resignation from Parliament.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-654 4984