The Extraordinary Session of the BSPP Congress, 23-25
July 1988
(extracted
from “The
BSPP Congress Convened
July 7: The BSPP
Central Executive Committee will convene an Extraordinary Congress of the Burma
Socialist Programme Party on
Central Committee Meeting
July 22: The ninth
meeting of the BSPP Central Committee met in the Saya
San Hall, Kyaikkasan Grounds,
BSPP General
Secretary U Aye Ko presented "the state of affairs concerning the
convening of the 1988 Extraordinary Party Congress. Joint General Secretary U
Sein Lwin presented the matter to be submitted to the Extraordinary Party
Congress: to invest in the the Central Committee the
right to amend the guiding philosophy of the Party, "the System of
Correlation of Man and His Environment", and the Central Committee gave
their decision by ballot.
U Aye Ko then
presented the matter to be submitted to the Congress "in connection with making
changes in the State economic policies and guidelines and implementing
them." The Central Committee voted.
Central Committee
Headquarters Secretary U Htwe Han then presented the
matter to be submitted to the Congress "for investing the right to the Central
Committee for amending the provisions and procedures contained in the Party
Constitution which have direct bearing on the changes to be made in the State
economic policies and guidelines." The Central Committee voted.
Other procedural
matters were approved.
U Sein Lwin
presented the questions of permitting the resignation of one Central Executive
Committee member, and of two vacancies in the Central Executive Committee, and
the Central Committee gave their decision. The decisions were approved. (WPD
7/23)
Co-Ordination Meeting
July 22: The
preliminary co-ordination meeting for convening the Extraordinary Party
Congress opened in Saya San Hall at
Panel of Chairmen
July 22: The
following were elected to the Panel of Chairmen of the Congress:
Yebaw D Ja
Yaw [Kachin]; Yebaw Phyu
[Kayah]; Yebaw Say Nay Wai Htoo [Karen]; Yebaw Aung Tha Ban
[Chin]; Yebaw Win Maung [Sagaing]; Yebaw Ohn Maung
[Tenasserim]; Yebaw Tun Shwe [Pegu]; Yebaw Aung Bwint [Magwe]; Yebaw San Maung
[Mandalay]; Yebaw Han Yin [Mon]; Yebaw
Maung Kyaw Zan [Rakine]; Yebaw Aye Thwin [Rangoon]; Yebaw Sai Tun Kyi [Shan]; Yebaw Saw Naing [Irrawaddy]; and Yebaw
Kyaw Tint [Tatmadaw]. (WPD 7/23)
Congress Opening Day
July 23: The
Extraordinary Session of the BSPP Congress opened at
Ne Win's Speech
July 23: [Text]
Party Congress delegates. I speak on matters for calling Extraordinary Party
Congress and the matters to be presented, discussed and approved by this
Congress and carried out. Other points which need to be included will also be
included. I believe the 1988 March and June bloodshed and disturbances were
meant as moves by those who took part in the disturbances and those behind them
to show lack of confidence in the Government and the Party leading the
Government.
It is necessary to
assess whether among the people of the entire country, a majority is behind
those lacking confidence or a minority. As I believe that holding a national
referendum on what they wish--a one-party system or a multi-party system--would
bring out the answer, I am asking the Party Congress to hold a referendum.
If the majority want a multi-party system, the present
Constitution's provision
under Chapter II, Paragraph 11 for the sole political party leading the State
will have to be substituted with wording in consonance with a multi-party
system. A suitable lapse of time would of course be needed for convenient
movement of the people, production of ballot cards and other requirements.
Roughly said, it
should be set up no later than end of September. It should be held earlier than
that if possible. If, after the referendum more votes are for a multi-party
system, elections must be held at the earliest for a new parliament. Part[ies] formed by bonafide citizens, organizations and individual citizens
will have to register themselves with the elections supervisory body. Last date
for registration will have to be prescribed. The elections supervisory body
should co-ordinate with the organizations taking part to set the last date for
registration and decide whether or not individual independants
should be allowed to compete. At the end of the registration period, the
elections supervisory body should co-ordinate with the registered organizations
the date for holding elections. I believe all will be best satisfied if the
date for election is set as soon as possible. The Hluttaw elected thus, can
write the Constitution and other necessary laws according to its own wishes. I
request the organizations currently taking responsibility to assert control as
much as possible to keep the country from disarray till the organizations
formed by the Hluttaw can take over.
I request the
present organizations to hand over authority without delay, if the new Hluttaw
or the organizations formed by that Hluttaw say that they are no longer needed
or continue assistance if asked to do so for some time.
If the majority of
the people decide on a single party system, the present party and organizations
will have to continue to lead in keeping with the changes made and the
regulations which continue to be accepted. I want to specially point out my
role if the present party is to continue to lead.
As I consider that
I am not totally free from responsibility even if indirectly for the sad events
that took place in March and June and because I am advancing in age, I would
like to request Party members to allow me to relinquish the duty of Party
Chairman and as a Party member. In order to do so, Paragraph 14 subpara (c) of the Party rules will have to be amended. I
request you to do so. If you do not want to amend the rule, I request this
Party Congress to treat it as a special exemption.
Formerly, whenever
I talked of relinquishing Party chairmanship, my confidants and, colleagues
prevented me and, unhappily, I have had to stay on in this political samsara. This time my confidants have not only consented to
allow me but have also asked that they too be allowed to leave along with me
and have entrusted their resignations to me.
They are (1) U San
Yu (2) U Aye Ko (3) U Sein Lwin (4) U Tun Tin (5) U Kyaw Win. There are others, quite a
number, who have as seniors been shouldering high responsibility, who want to
retire, leave the Party. I would like this Party Congress to accede to their
wishes to do so after transferring responsibility with the emergence of the new
Hluttaw. I want to tell those wanting to retire, to leave the Party, to tender
their letters of resignation in time while this Congress is in session.
In short, (a) I
submit to this Congress to seek the decision through a nationwide vote which
the majority of the people choose from the two, a one-party system or a
multi-party system (b) if the majority supports a multi-party system, then, as
I have said before, arrangements will have to be made in accord with the terms
concerning a multi-party system, (c) if the majority of the people support a
one-party system, those of us who want to retire, must be allowed to do so in
deference to our wishes while other remaining Party members continue to
shoulder responsibilities of State, (d) please accede to the wishes of those
who want to leave with me, (e) multi-party system or one-party system,
whichever of the two the people support, may I conclude, declaring that I shall
leave the political arena and turn away from politics.
That is what I have
to say in connection with the Congress and I have said it. However, from what
is currently happening--from what happened in Taunggyi,
what is happening in Prome--I cannot say if there is
something imitative, thinking that they could do as they like against
discipline. We made arrangements to exercise restraint so that the events of
June in
What occurred in Prome started on the 16th, and we knew it only on the 17th.
When we heard it on the 17th we thought it could be controlled by the police
and the council, we hoped. As I said earlier, in what concerned preventing
bloodshed, I asked that the Tatmadaw be not used in trifling matters and that
it be used only when really necessary. I told them not to use the Tatmadaw
without my knowledge. The Prome affair however did
not subside but became bolder. So, I allowed the Tatmadaw to go in yesterday.
There is what I
said earlier that I would retire from politics. Although I said I would retire
from politics, we will have to maintain control to prevent the country from
falling apart, from disarray, till the future organizations can take full
control. In continuing to maintain control, I want the entire nation, the
people, to know that if in future there are mob disturbances, if the army
shoots, it hits --there is no firing into the air to scare. So, if in future
there are such disturbances and if the army is used, let it be known that those
creating disturbances will not get off lightly.
I now have this to
say. Be patient and listen to what I have to say. This part is separate from
the other parts concerning the convening of the congress.
This may be the
last time I am speaking before a gathering so, after putting before you matters
concerning the Party Congress, I want to tell you about an episode which has
led to misconception by students concerning me and the entire Revolutionary
Council. The destruction of the University Students Union building on 8 July
1962 morning is known by all. Only if I reveal the role I played on July 7
evening will the events of the day become more complete, so I will do that.
Around 5 that evening I heard gunshots, so I telephoned Bo Kyaw Soe to enquire. He said Sayagyi U
Kar and family had been sent to a safe place, and
that some 8 or 9 police had been injured. Asked if the students leaders
creating disturbances had been apprehended, he said not yet and that some were
in the Student Union building. In order that no more police and Tatmadawmen may get hurt I instructed him as follows:
(a) To use loud
hailers to urge those in the union building to come out and submit to arrest,
and to warn that large-calibre arms would be used if
they did not do so.
(b) To use
recoilless gun if necessary if they failed to submit to arrest peacefully
And that it be done before dark.
Here, I will tell
you what is important. I and some of the Revolutionary Council members did not
take part in the discussion and decision for the explosion which destroyed the
building. Only when I enquired on hearing a very loud bang
like the explosion of a big bomb on July 8 morning did I learn that the union
building had been dynamited. There were also quite a number of Revolutionary
Council members who knew of it only after they heard that explosion. However,
all members of the Security Council composed of some of the Revolutionary
Council members, Security Council Chairman Colonel Kyaw Soe
who took responsibility for security, all security council
members and all officials in charge of security were at the broadcasting
station. Those persons were Security Council Chairman Colonel Kyaw Soe, Colonel Hla Han, Colonel Saw
Myint, Colonel Ba Ni and from among officers
Intelligence Colonel Maung Lwin and Chief of Police U Ba
Aye. There were also many others present. When I called Bo Kyaw Soe and asked of what I had learned of the destruction of
the union building on July 8, he (Bo Kyaw Soe)
replied that when I said on July 7 evening that recoilless gun could be used in
necessary in apprehending the ring leaders in the union building, he had
thought that he was being told to destroy the union building and had therefore
destroyed it. That being the case with the acceptance of the concept of
collective leadership, the statement by Revolutionary Council leader which
included the words "Sword with sword and spear with spear" was
broadcast.
Three or four
months later I heard that foreign correspondent circles were saying that I gave
the order to destroy the union building while I was drunk. I told Bo Kyaw Soe that I alone was being accused as the culprit who
ordered the destruction while I was drunk, and asked him to tell me about the
incidents of July 7. Then only did Bo Kyaw Soe say he
would tell the truth. He said that, previously, soon after the Revolutionary
Council emerged, some differences of opinion had appeared and that he was
trying to cover that up. The fact was that one of those at the broadcasting
station on July 7 had said that the union building was becoming a rebel
headquarters and declared that it would be good to have it destroyed and thus
whether or not to destroy it was discussed. Finally, he (Bo Kyaw Soe) said, it was decided to let me know about it and to
destroy the building if I agreed.
Bo Aung Gyi had
said he would go and submit it to `Bogyoke' and bring
a reply as to whether it was agreed or not. He (Bo Aung Gyi) left in a car
taking Ko Hla Han along. Later, Bo Aung Gyi returned
to the broadcasting station and claimed that `Bogyoke'
had agreed. The group at the broadcasting station collected explosive materials
and destroyed the building. After getting that answer, I called the
Revolutionary Council member excluding Bo Aung Gyi and told them that Bo Aung
Gyi, without submitting to me and without asking my opinion had told the group
at the broadcasting station that I had agreed to the destruction of the
building.
After learning the
truth, I called Bo Aung Gyi to my office and told him that I had discovered
that he had claimed that I agreed to destroying the
building. So I told Bo Aung Gyi--if you want to be leader and think you can
lead I will get out; do I get out or do you get out? Decide, I told him. He
said he would get out. He went back to his room and tendered his resignation.
I will provide
evidence to support my statements:
First evidence:
Beginning with second line on page 24 of Bogyoke Aung
Gyi's
letter dated 9 May 1988 --the person called Bogyoke
Aung Gyi who became the culprit heard Bo Hla Han tell
Rector Sayagyi U Kar who
was temporarily staying at a bungalow near Inya Lake
Hotel when he went along to Bogyoke's House with Bo Hla Han and dropped in at that house that permission had
been obtained to destroy the union building and ventured to call Bo Kyaw Soe at the broadcasting station on the phone and asked that
the matter be delayed while he took the matter up with `Bogyoke';
but when he arrived at Bogyoke's house he did not tell Bogyoke
anything; but he claims to have tried to to stop the
matter in a devious way--that is the first evidence from what he had written.
Second evidence:
When I called those concerned and asked them to write down what they knew to be
true, there was in what Colonel Hla Han submitted--I
have his letter with me--in line four, page 5 of his letter "Bogyoke Aung Gyi also arrived at that time. When there was
talk about the union, (he said) Wait, I will go and submit it to `Bogyokegyi' and ask for orders, and taking me along,
started out. On the way we dropped by to call on Sayagyi
U Kar who was at Colonel Tin Soe's house. He also talked
about the number of students killed and injured."
"At that time,
I also told the Sayagyi about the plan to destroy the
union building. Afterwards, the two of us proceeded to Bogyokegyi's house. Bogyoke Aung Gyi reported the situation when we met Bogyoke. The union building matter was not in what he
submitted. We got into the car to return."
"In the car, I
reminded him `Bogyoke, that matter has not been
included.' Bogyoke Aung Gyi said `Let it be' and I
kept quiet. When we got back to the broadcasting station, I heard Bogyoke Aung Gyi say `Okay' to Colonel Kyaw Soe"--those are the points.
So, these two
points are, as I said earlier, what were told to others without my knowledge
but as if I knew; as if I had asked them to, and others destroyed it as they
had been told that I agreed. So, taking the above-mentioned points into
consideration, I conclude by asking the entire people to judge for themselves
who the real culprit was in the destruction of the union building. (Applause)
(WPD 7/24)
U Aye Ko on Congress
July 23: BSPP
General Secretary U Aye Ko addressed the Extraordinary Party Congress on why it
was convened [excerpts]:
The Fifth Party
Congress...was held from
At the Central
Committee Seventh Meeting held on October 8 and 9, 1987, the Party Chairman
said...the situation required laying down of new
principles....
...it is with a
view to expeditiously effecting policy changes in political, economic and
social affairs in order to bring about better conditions that the Central
Executive Committee has convened this Extraordinary Party Congress.
The Burma Socialist
Programme Party is firmly standing as the sole political party leading the
state.... [Party organizations] still have to do more to function well....
[They must] keep close touch with the people and heed the wishes of the people,
get rid of bribery and corruption and do away with weaknesses....
In the judicial
field...some judicial bodies are found to have handed down judgements
which are not in conformity with the law and not in accord with directives, and
there are instances of undue individual influence, bribery and corruption....
At present in the
country, deterioration of morality and lowliness in spirit is spreading amidst
the people in various sectors. In the various State organizations and
departments, there is too much weakness in performing duties and rampant
misappropriation of public funds and property, bribery and corruption and such
practices as fostering mentors and disciples to get protection on default and
secure undue privileges.
[Review of military
and foreign affairs]
In the economic sphere...a
situation has been reached where there has been almost no development.... While
the economic situation is in such a state of affairs, private capital is being
widely used in blackmarketeering.... The majority of
the working people are having to depend on the blackmarket trade.... The value of exports fell annually
from K 918.9 million in 1983-84 to only K 785.3 million in 1986-87.... In
connection with foreign currency receipts and expenditures there was a deficit
of K 1777.2 million in 1986-87.... Mainly because of trade deficits, there was
a main account deficit of K 1949.6 million in 1986-87.... Borrowings
from abroad ...totalling K 1214.9 million in 1977-78
came up to K 1730.4 million in 1986-87. In terms of debt service ration,
it was 15.11 per cent in 1977-78 and it rose to 59.16 per cent in 1986-87....
[In education]
there are still defects...such as being still unable to get the education
system meet the needs of the nation,...the number of unemployed persons
increasing from day to day; the number of qualified teachers still being low
and students from primary classes to post-graduate classes and also those
seeking to join services having to depend on private tuition.
There are
weaknesses in the field of health such as difficulty to get admitted to
hospitals...; insufficiency in medical equipment and supplies; prevalence of
bad dealings between health services staff and patients and their families and
frequent losses of lives owing to harmful substances faked as medicines....
[In agriculture] although
the controlled crops were decontrolled stage by stage, it did not ease the
situation as much as expected and the people are still having
to buy basic foodstuffs paying exhorbitant prices....
To halt and rectify
the country's economic
downslide...positive assurances and proper arrangements must be made so as to
encourage enthusiastic and increased private investment.... Changes which ought
to be made in the different lines of economic activity have been submitted
separately to this Extraordinary Party Congress....
It is essential for
the guiding philosophy [of the BSPP] to always reflect changing conditions....
In Chapter 3 of the guiding philosophy it is stated, "When the economic
relations of a given age can no longer serve the interests of his society,
man...endeavours to establish new systems which can better serve his
interest...." The matter of empowering the Central Committee to amend the
Party's guiding
philosophy...has been presented separately to the Extraordinary Party
Congress...." (WPD 7/24)
U Aye Ko on Economic Reform
July 23: [Text of
substantive portions of BSPP General Secretary U Aye Ko's address on economic
reforms:]
...In effecting
changes to reverse the present economic decline of the country, it is necessary
to mobilize and utilize the productive forces of the country in full and to
utilize the productive forces of the country by bringing public, co-operative
and private sectors to operate abreast of one another as a basic principle....
To raise
agricultural production, the following is to be done:
(a) To permit
public, co-operative and private sectors to carry out agricultural production
and trade as they want. (Including jute, rubber, cotton, industrial sugar-cane,
coffee seed and
(b) To give
assurance of the right to work the land so as to arouse enthusiasm to develop
new farm land.
(c) To grant
ownership as long as one is commercially producing long-term industrial crops
and long-term fruit-bearing trees.
(d) To permit
private individuals as well to buy and use agricultural machinery including
tractors and trailers for reclaiming more fallow land and extending
multi-cropping.
(e) To bring about
harmony and fairness between production cost and selling price of crops to
contribute towards better agricultural production and to effectively employ the
means of economic incentives including price policy.
To raise livestock
and fishery production, the following is to be done:
(a) To permit
public, co-operative and private sectors to catch and sell fish and prawns in
all inland, coastal and off-shore works.
(b) To permit
public, co-operative and private sectors to work all fisheries by auction
except those designated for research work by the State.
In forest industry
the following is to be done:
(a)
(b) Teak
extraction, local distribution and export are to be carried out by the public
sector;
(c) Extraction and
production of hardwood, other wood and forest product raw materials and
finished products and their local distribution and export are to be permitted
to be carried out by public, co-operative and private sectors.
In mining, the
following is to be done:
(a) Oil and natural
gas exploration, production and distribution work is to be carried out only by
the public sector. Exception: To allow co-operatives to work small oil wells
not worked by the State;
(b) Exploration,
production and export of pearls, jade and gems are to be carried out only by
the public sector;
(c) Apart from the
articles to be handled only by the public sector as mentioned in Sub-paragraph
(b), exploration, production and sale of other minerals are to be carried out
by the co-operative and private sectors only with the permission of the State.
In manufacturing
and processing sector, the following is to be done:
-- Apart from the
production of arms and ammunition, the public, co-operative and private sectors
are to be permitted to set up small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale
industries and produce and sell the products.
In production and
utilization of electric power, the following is to be done:
-- Permission is to
be granted to public, co-operative and private sectors for the production of
hydro-electricity, electricity generated by machines and other means. However,
if such work is carried out by the co-operative and private sectors, they are
to be done according to law, rules and regulations.
In construction
sector, the following is to be done:
-- Public,
co-operative and private sectors are to be permitted to carry out such
construction works as the building of roads and bridges, structures and
buildings.
In transport and
communications, the following is to be done:
(a) Communications
work is to be carried out only by the public sector;
(b) Air and rail
transport activities are to be carried out only by the public sector;
(c) In the field of
transportation, apart from the modes mentioned in Sub-paragraph (b), public,
co-operative and private sectors are to be permitted to construct, assemble and
repair all other modes of transportation;
(d)
Public, co-operative and private sectors are to undertake all other forms of
inland transportation work.
In financial
sector, the following is to be done:
(a) Only the State
is to undertake and manage financial enterprise.
(b) The banking
systems are to be changed as necessary with a view to getting the working
people to have confidence in the banking business and conveniently deal with
the banks.
(c) The revenue
collection systems are to be changed in conformity with the changes in the
economy.
(d) Loan plans and
cash plans are to be systematically drawn up in conformity with the changes in
the economy.
In trade, the
following needs to be done:
(a) The State
sector, the co-operative sector and private sector are to be allowed to engage
in all internal and external trading business.
(b) However, in
external trading business, the main crops such as rice, paddy, and maize may be
exported only after consideration for sufficiency for domestic consumption.
(c) Private
services are to be to be expanded.
(d) Trading in
border areas is to be undertaken.
(e) Checks, curbs,
hindrances are to be avoided in order to ensure expeditious flow of goods in
the country and in order to ensure that there are no hindrnces
in commercial activity.
The following are
to be undertaken in conformity with the economic changes:
(a) In connection
with the matters of accumulating capital and utilizing higher techniques and knowhow for the sake of increasing production in all the
branches of economy, joint ventures between the public sector and the
co-operative societies, between the public sector and the private sector,
between private concerns, between governments, between the public sector and
foreign private concerns, between the co-operative sector and foreign private
concerns and between internal private concerns and foreign private concerns are
to be allowed with the permission of the State.
(b) The State is to
make effective arrangements and give guarantee in connection with business and
capital invested by private concerns in the economic enterprise permitted by
the State.
(c) The Fifth Party
Congress's guideline to
the effect that mutually beneficial co-operation with foreign countries and
foreign economic organizations be undertaken for limited periods of time when
large amounts of capital investments are needed and knowhow
and machinery and equipment are required to be undertaken; and laws and by-laws
needed for such undertakings are to be made.
(d) The laws and
rules made for each kind of business are to be reviewed and revised in order
that the public sector, the co-operative sector and the private sector can do
business without any difficulty.
The following are
to be undertaken in connection with the mass communications:
(a) The
broadcasting work and television work are to be undertaken by the public
sector.
(b) The public
sector, the co-operative sector and the private sector are to be permitted to
undertake newspaper, journal and magazine publishing work.
The following are
to be undertaken in connection with the public entertainment.
-- The public
sector, the co-operative sector and the private sector are to be permitted to
undertake cinema hall construction and film screening anywhere including cities
and the public sector, the co-operative sector and the private sector are to
continue to be permitted to undertake thabin and
musical entertainment.
[Closing
exhortation] (WPD 7/24; repeated 7/25)
Second Day of Congress
July 24: On the
Second Day of the Extraordinary BSPP Party Congress, 15 delegates implored
Chairman U Ne Win to reconsider his resignation,
12 delegates endorsed the economic changes proposed by U Aye Ko, and three
delegates endorsed giving the Central Committee the right to amend Party philosopy. [Summaries of these interventions contained
little of substance] (WPD 7/25)
Pyithu Hluttaw Convened
July 24: An emergency
session of the Fourth Pyithu Hluttaw was convened by Council of State
Proclamation No. 3/88, beginning at
Party Congress Concludes
July 25: The
Extraordinary Congress of the BSPP concluded on its third day, with 1,061 out
of 1,089 delegates present. General Secretary U Aye Ko
responded to the second day's
discussion [see below]. The Congress then voted [favorably] on the changes in
economic policies, on investing the Central Committee with the right to amend
the Guiding Philosphy of the Party, and to amend
Party Constitution provisions relating to the changes in economic policy. These
decisions were announced. Joint General Secretary U Sein Lwin then submitted
matters relating to not holding a national referendum, to permit the Party
Chairman [U Ne Win] and Vice-Chairman [U San Yu]
to resign from Party duties and not to resign from Party membership but to
retire, and not to permit the resignations of other leaders who submitted their
resignations. He "procured the decision of the Congress on these
matters." The Congress then concluded. (WPD 7/26)
U Aye Ko's Replies
July 25: General
Secretary U Aye Ko replied to the delegates
discussions [excerpts]:
Esteemed Chairman
and Party Congress delegates,
The Party Chairman
delivered a speech of
special significance to the nation at the first...session
.... The Party Chairman, expressing his belief in connection with the
events that took place in March and June 1988 that it was an expression of lack
of confidences in the Government and the Party leading it by those who actually
took part in the disturbances as well as those who supported them from behind.
He pointed out the need to assess whether the majority of the country's population is on the side of
those who lack confidence or whether only a minority is on their side. He said
that as it is his belief that holding a national referendum on what the people
wish, a one-party system or a multi-party system, he asked this Party Congress
to hold a national referendum.
Party Congress
delegates from the 14 Party Regional Committee areas and from the Tatmadaw
Organizing Committee...submitted that since arrangements have already been made
to bring about economic changes and other allied changes, it is necessary at
present to give priority to the success of economic enterprises. The
disturbances that broke out in some townships actually arose out of some petty
personal quarrels. These disturbances arose as a result of machinations by a
handful of people while the majority of the people throughout the country did
not take part, desiring only to live in peace and tranquillity. With regard to
the adoption of the one-party system and the leadership role of the Lanzin Party of the State, they pointed out that these had
been approved by an overwhelming majority of people in the national referendum
held in 1973.
The delegates
earnestly discussed at this Extraordinary Party Congress the matter of whether
a national referendum should be held or not on the adoption of a one-party
system or a multi-party system. Hence the matter of obtaining the decision of
the Party Congress in connection with the holding of a national referendum will
be dealt with separately.
The Party Chairman
made a request to the Extraordinary Party Congress to permit him to resign as
Party Chairman and also as Party member, and also to permit five other Party
leaders to retire from the Party along with him at the same time.
...all Party
delegates...expressed deep sadness at it and emphatically submitted to to this Congress not to accept the resignations of the
Party Chairman and the other leaders. Citing instances of practical
achievements, they also described how the Party Chairman and the other Party
leaders are personalities with great historic traditions and rich experiences
fully able to provide leadership to overcome difficult and stringent conditions
being faced in the country. Moreover they emphatically expressed great concern
that the country would be left in disorder and disarray if the leaders of such
great traditions resigned.
It is clear that
their discussions in this matter of resignation of the Party Chairman and the
other Party leaders at this Extraordinary Party Congress reflect not just their
individual sentiments but those of the delegates of the regions to this
Congress and those of the entire mass of Party members.
The Party Congress
delegates are totally unconsenting about these
matters of permitting the resignation of the Party Chairman, other leaders from
Party membership, and similar resignations of other persons in leading
positions. However, the Party Constitution already contains a provision that
could permit retirement of a Party member on account of old age or health. Some
who are shouldering duties in leadership are still able in respect of age and
health to go on undertaking responsibilities of the Party and the State. That
there is need for continuity in leadership and continuity of endeavours for
realization of the objectives of the Party has also been stressed in the discussions
of the Party Congress delegates.
So, decision of the
Congress will be taken in a separate arrangement on the matter of permitting
retirement from the Party and on the matter of not permitting some leaders to
resign and having them continue performing duties....
The delegates who
discussed the matters unanimously agreed that the Central Committee should be
authorized to carry out the matter of changing the Party's guiding philosophy and
Constitution as they are broad ones and there could be difficulty in preparing
them completely during the present session of the Extraordinary Party Congress.
As they have discussed the matters without any additional suggestions, the
Central Committee shall proceed with the task.
On economic
changes, there were suggestions and so I shall now reply to them. [Remainder of
speech devoted to
extensive economic commentary, most of it restating the proposed economic
changes contained in U Aye Ko's earlier address to the Congress]. (WPD 7/26)
U Sein Lwin Becomes Chairman
July 26: The tenth
meeting of the BSPP Central Committee met at
Central Committee
Headquarters Secretary U Thein Ngwe "submitted
matters relating to Party duties and meting out punishment and the Central
Committee approved the matters."
Central Committee
Headquarters Secretary U Aung Thein then
"submitted matters relating to annulling the Private Enterprises Rights
Law and the Central Committee members gave decision." Other matters
considered were "holding elections in connection with the duties and
vacant seats of the Central Executive Committe
members" and "matters concerning the Pyithu Hluttaw."
The Central
Committee elected U Sein Lwin as Chairman of the Burma Socialist Programme
Party, Thura U Kyaw Htin as
Party Joint General Secretary, and U Khin Maung Gyi, Dr. Maung Maung, and Lt.Gen. Than Shwe as members of the Party Central Executive Committee.
U Sein Lwin gave a short address [text below]. (WPD 7/27)
U Sein Lwin's Speech
July 26: Following
his election as Chairman of the BSPP, U Sein Lwin made the following address
[text]:
Comrade Central
Committee members,
You comrades have
given me a very heavy duty--that of the Party chairmanship. I will perform this
duty to the best of my ability. I would like to request you to help me, in the
performance of this duty.
Another matter is
that since ours is one and the only party, it is
necessary for us to always seek out mistakes and defects in our serving the
interests of the State and to carry out the tasks in accordance with the wishes
of the people.
In this regard our
experiences have shown us that mistakes and defects are caused not by work
principles but mostly by personnel and as such I would like to ask you to
present the matter of the Party Units and the Party Regional Committees taking
prompt action in the matters caused by personnel and of always scrutinizing the
personnel and taking action. If they are found to have been caused by work
principles, it is imperative that they be speedily submitted to the higher
level.
I would like the
Party organizations concerned to always study ways and means of having the
people carry out, without any difficulty, the economic changes principally laid
down by the Extraordinary Party Congress and submit them to the higher
organizations at different levels for further action.
There are Party
organizations and cadres in the respective organizations and at the respective
departments. There are also Party members. However, on various pretexts, they
are overbearing on the people with such ways as bribery, causing wastages and
hindering work and malpractices. I would like to warn the Party fraction
leaders, Party cadres and Party member service personnel and workers to put an
end to such practices soonest.
In conclusion I
would like to urge you to strive to achieve success as quickly as possible in
effecting the economic changes laid down by the Extraordinary Party Congress in
whatever capacity you may be serving and wherever you may be assigned. (WPD
7/27)
Prime Minister Fired
July 26: Council of
State Notification No. 97/88 provides that as it has been found that Prime
Minister U Maung Maung Kha
was not free from responsibility of the consequences of the disturbances that
broke out during March 1988, he has been removed from the premiership with
effect from