Representatives of the People elected to the Parliament in the 1990 multiparty democratic elections
(Committee representing the People's Parliament)

53rd ANNIVERSARY OF UNION DAY STATEMENT

Notification 6 (2/00) (translation)

Ever since the one party autocratic system dominated the Union of Burma, there has been a steady decline in politics, society and education in all the states and now it has reached the status of least developed country in the world. That was why the masses rose up in revolt and demanded their democratic rights in 1988. But the military held on to state power and though a multiparty general elections were held the results were not honored and every endeavor to convene parliament has been prevented and disrupted resulting in the present circumstances which we are now experiencing. In politics, in the economy, in the fields of education, social welfare, foreign affairs, turmoil and problems continue. These problems did not come about accidentally. Unsolved political issues are the root cause. Why can't they be solved? Because the present government is deliberately obstructing and sabotaging the avenues and denying the people their democratic rights.

From a national perspective, to find a solution, the present authorities will have to respect the people's democratic rights. It means that - when sovereign power of the people has been freely transferred it must be honored and adhered to. The 1990 general elections were free and fair. It revealed the genuine desire of the people. Out of respect for the people wherein sovereign power resides a Pyithu Hluttaw must be convened. In this Pyithu Hluttaw the issue of unity among the nationalities must be discussed and plans for solutions must be made. A democratic convention must be held with wider participation where views can be expressed freely and talks and negotiation can take place. Thus, resolutions for unity can be achieved and problems of the nationalities will be solved.

But both the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) have done their utmost to destroy and prevent the achieving of solutions for national unity. Specially, when they dissolved many political parties formed by the different nationalities. However the parties of the nationalities that received the wholehearted support of the people in the 1990 elections, continue with their task and are working for genuine unity of the country at some future date. After the 1988 popular revolt, the different nationalities formed their own political parties in their respective regions to protect the interest of their nationals and to establish a genuine Union in the future. They contested the 1990 general elections The Shan National League for Democracy gained 23 seats supported by the majority of the Shan people. The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) won11 seats but in the regions where they lost, they still had the support of the majority of their nationals. The Mon National Democracy Front (MNDF) won 5 seats, the Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD) won 3 seats, and the Zomi National Congress (ZNC) won 2 seats. Other nationalities also won the support of their nationals in the elections and the total seats won by the nationalities in the 1990 general elections was 67.

This made the Shan National League for Democracy the party with the second largest number of seats and the Arakan League for Democracy the third. This shows that these respective parties and elected members had genuine support from their respective nationals. In finding solutions to ethnic problems, those organisations of ethnic races that have stopped their armed struggle must combine with the political parties of the nationalities.

But the SLORC and the SPDC only recognize the political parties that had the support of their respective nationals such as the Shan National League for Democracy, Shan Kokan Democratic Party, Wa National Development Party, Myo (a) Khme National Unity Party, Union Karen National League. All other parties were dissolved. However, the nationalities parties continued to work for their respective nationals and perform the national tasks assigned to them. Their goal was to establish a genuine Union so they formed a coalition of four parties which contested the election in 1990. The seats won were Shan National League for Democracy won 23, the Arakan League for Democracy 11, Mon National Democracy Front 5, Zomi National Congress 2 making a total of 41. This coalition of 4 nationalities parties and the NLD have been meeting constantly to discuss the problems and issues we are currently facing and to work out strategies for overcoming them. Exchange of views has brought about understanding and we have worked tirelessly to bring about the convening of parliament but have met with opposition and harassment of every kind. For this reason we have not been successful in establishing a Pyithu Hluttaw. But we have succeeded in forming a firm and durable Committee for Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP). This is the first time after the country gained independence that such cooperation has been achieved. This not only makes history but it will be an example that can be followed in future when occasions arise to solve problems between the different national races.

We have to plan for the
(1) Emergence of Democracy and
(2) Resolve the ethnic problems to obtain unity.
(3) Hold a National Convention when democracy is put in place
(4) Reach agreement on fundamental policies for the establishment of a true Union of States.

But the SLORC/SPDC has dissolved and destroyed political parties, arrested and confined leaders of the ethnic nationalities and parliamentarians and dislocated and ruined every possibility of solving the ethnic issue. On the other hand they have plucked out a few parliamentarians willing to raise their hands and nod their heads to do and say in a systematic pattern everything they want said and done. Instead of solutions, the sore will fester under the surface. Though they have reached "cease fire" agreements with certain armed ethnic rebels no political solutions have been found nor is there any attempt or inclination to do so. This keeps the situation fluid and a change can occur any time. It is said that the "divide and rule" policy of the imperialists caused much bitterness between brothers of the same group. The policies adopted currently are worse than those of the imperialists.

Political parties representing the nationalities and parties like the NLD meet and discuss and cooperate with each other. Likewise political parties representing nationalities and ethnic national groups who have given up armed struggle meet and discuss issues. In one ethnic nationality there exist political parties and those who have given up armed struggle. Because these groups have different religious beliefs, driving a wedge between them is harmful for a long-term solution to the problem. Political parties of the nationalities must be ever wary of these harmful tactics to cause dissension. After cease-fire agreements there is the issue of opium and amphetamines that have far reaching effects and repercussions for the entire race and threatens all humanity. Other countries are involved.

It is true this problem existed before. After "cease-fire" agreements this has multiplied to such an extent that the entire world is alarmed. This can be found in the report of the UN Drugs and Narcotics Committee and other international reports. This problem is not a problem of one race. It is a national problem. Applying quick-fix methods like substitute crop growing and wholesale relocation of poppy cultivators will not solve the problem. This is just attacking the problem on the surface. Reduction of poppy plantations will not automatically reduce the manufacture of drugs. Amphetamines are manufactured with chemicals and no opium is required. Latest reports reveal that even from molasses, a product from the sugar cane, intoxicating drugs can be produced. This is a frightening thought for not just one race but for the entire human race. Therefore quick-fix remedies will not eradicate the drug problem.

The opium producing areas are where the ethnic minorities live. Their politics, welfare and prosperity is in one way or another connected with the rest of Burma. This eradication of drugs issue cannot be isolated and dealt with separately. We have many ethnic races inhabiting the land of Burma. Besides the Kachins, Karens, Kayahs, Chins, Mons, Yakhines, Shans, there are others like the Pa-os, Palaungs, Wa, Nagas and others all living together here. Politics, education, economic and living standards vary. Administration in all these areas is not the same. At one time some were kingdoms, some were ruled by chiefs like saw-bwas, saw-kes ,du-was, taung-paing and taung-okes.
Only at certain periods, some powerful Burmese kings conquered and brought them under their control. Apart from those periods, they were self governing territories.

All came under the control of the British but in February 1947 (pre-independence ) General Aung San and the leaders of the ethnic minorities reached agreement to join hands and free themselves of the British yoke. They agreed also to be equal partners with freedom to exercise their own rights and establish a Union of states. That was how the Pinlong Agreement came to be executed. These were the circumstances under which Burma gained independence in January 4, 1948 and the name UNION OF BURMA came about. But after the demise of General Aung San, those who continued to govern the country deviated from the terms of the agreement of General Aung San and the ethnic minority leaders. This led to national disunity and the ethnic minorities revolted. To resolve this, a conference was held at Taungyi in 1961 attended by all the ethnic groups. To achieve genuine union a proposal for a federal system was produced. This was used as an excuse by the army to seize power. They refer to it as "disintegration of the Union".. The one party system was introduced which took away all the rights of the minority races. More and more minority groups resorted to arms and the fires of civil war burned with greater velocity. Then after the 1988 revolt of the people, political parties were permitted to operate and despite the holding of the general elections in 1990, the result was dishonored the consequences of which are hassles and hardships in every field of life- political, economic, education, ethnic issues, national issues. These problems have not come about on their own. It is the result of this one political issue that has not been solved. Trying to solve this nationality issue without touching on the fundamental political issue will end in failure. These two issues cannot be separated.

The one and only way to solve our present problems is to hand over state power to the persons whom the people have elected as their representatives. This must be done by convening the Pyithu Hluttaw. This body must give priority to the task of unity and nationalism for which purpose a National Convention must be held. A genuine Union of the States must be established in accordance with the fundamental policies agreed upon at that convention.

Therefore on this the 53rd anniversary of Union Day, we entreat all parties and organisations to set aside personal and organizational ambitions and focus on the current problems from a national perspective by working for the triumph of democracy and a settlement of the ethnic issues.


Committee Representing the People's Parliament
12 February 2000

(Responsibility for this publication is taken by the National League for Democracy.)