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ncgub supports nld position on natl



Subject:       ncgub supports nld position on natl convention

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NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
815 Fifteenth Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 393-7342   (202) 393-4312,  Fax: (202) 393-7343
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STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY'S
POSITION ON THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

November 22, 1995

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma is fully supportive of the National 
League for Democracy's position as clarified by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at her press conference 
in Rangoon on November 22 regarding the so-called National Convention being held by the 
military-run State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).

It is common knowledge that the convention was designed by SLORC purely for the purpose of 
legitimizing military rule in Burma and never had the intention of fulfilling the aspirations of 
the people.  Any party, organization or government that wishes to see democracy and human rights 
return to Burma will never give credence or recognition to that convention.

Strong opposition to the national convention has to be expressed and the futility of the exercise 
will have to be made known to the SLORC because the generals are hoping that they will gain 
international recognition through the convention. They are hoping that with recognition, the much 
needed assistance will come from international financial institutions as well as through 
investments.

The time now is very crucial and the international community should remain alert to developments 
in Burma. It should help strengthen the role of the National League for Democracy in shaping 
Burma's democratic future and give complete support to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's efforts to bring 
about national reconciliation.

There are obvious reasons for supporting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's proposed dialogue.   
Presently, SLORC plans to push ahead with the national convention, pass a constitution to secure 
military dictatorship in Burma, and call for controlled elections to take over the reins of the 
country.  If the process goes through, the people will continue to be enslaved without any rights 
and the country is bound to face another round of nationwide unrest.

The option offered by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy is to hold 
a dialogue toward achieving national reconciliation and subsequently to work together to build a 
truly democratic nation which is the aspiration of all the people.  This will be a situation 
where everyone, including the SLORC, wins.

There are plenty of reasons for the National League for Democracy to boycott the present 
SLORC's National Convention.  However, there is no rational reason for the generals to decline 
the NLD's offer. They should take the opportunity to prove that they truly have the people's 
interests at heart and start a process of national reconciliation with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi