National Convention will be successfully reconvened with the current delegates attending

Yangon, 14 May - The National League for Democracy today issued an announcement that they would not attend the National Convention.

The 86-NLD member group led by U Aung Shwe attended the National Convention launched in 1993. In November 1995 when the National Convention was moving into top gear, all the NLD delegates made a demand for political meeting and walked out of the National Convention after sending a letter to the chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission which said they would never return to the National Convention again so long as their demand is not met. The NLD delegates were biased against the rules and regulations of the National Convention, and consequently, the Commission had to terminate their representatives in the National Convention in accord with the rules and regulations of the National Convention.

With a view to ensuring national reconsolidation, the government invited the NLD to attend the National Convention which will resume on 17 May 2004. In fact, the NLD delegates would have to apply if they want to represent their party at the National Convention. The government would decide for the NLD to attend the National Convention only after receiving their application.

Though the NLD did not make any application, in all magnanimity and goodwill to the NLD to attend the National Convention and to ensure the Convention to be a plenary meeting, the government invited the NLD delegates to the Convention. And the government made every arrangement for five NLD members representing the political parties and 49 NLD representatives-elect, altogether 54, to attend the National Convention.

The NLD gave a reason for their refusal of the government's invitation in the declaration that U Tin Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have no right to travel freely and the party has not obtained permission for reopening of its offices yet.

Chairman of the National League for Democracy U Aung Shwe did not receive the invitation when it was sent by officials to his house respectfully. Knowing their demands would not be met they intentionally asked for them. When their demands were not met they issued an announcement to the effect that they would not attend the Convention. The Government addressed and fulfilled the demands of the NLD to the most possible degree. Moreover, as emphasis is being placed on prevalence of peace and stability at a time when the National Convention is being reconvened officials held discussions with U Tin Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to retain their status quo with patience. But the NLD did not accept it and announced that they would not attend the Convention. As a matter of fact, U Tin Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were not included as delegates to the National Convention when it was held in 1993.

Though the NLD does not attend the National Convention, it will resume with delegates including delegates of political parties, delegates of representatives-elects, delegates of national races and delegates of mass and class organizations. The government will successfully continue reconvening the National Convention, the first step of the seven-point Road Map of the State, as it has announced previously.