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Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 18:10:39 +0000
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Subject: No talks, with Suu Kyi, says Myanmar junta
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                      No talks, with Suu Kyi, says Myanmar junta 
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(From V. Jayath)

Jakarta July-22: Any dialogue, discussion national re-conciliation in Myanmar will have 
to be through the national convention that has been mandated to finalize the New 
constitution the Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, say here today.

Addressing an hour-long press conference this morning he said, the National League for 
Democracy[NLD]walked out of the convention and "lose the chance for dialogue." If 
wanted to joint the process or a fresh dialogue the avenue was through the convention.

Answering the question, he made it clear that the National League for Democracy leader 
Ms Suu Kyi was now an individual and there could be many such person who would ask 
a dialogue with the Government.

"What is the subject for the dialogue?" he retorted when another journalist wanted to 
know If the junta would initiate a dialogue with the National League for Democracy. 
The State Law and Order Restoration Council[SLORC] had clear spelt out its agenda and 
objectives_social, polotical and economic. And the national convention was working on a 
new construction.

MR. OHN GYAW SAID THE 1990 ELECTION RESULTS WERE SET ASIDE BY 
THE SLORC BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VALID CONSTRUCTION IN MYANMAR
 AND A "SO CALLED WINING PARTY" WOULD NOT EVENT KNOW HOW LONG 
COULD GOVERN. HE ARGUED THAT THE ARMED FORCES HAD SAVED AND 
PROTECTED THE COUNTRY TIME AND AGAIN. AFTER SECURING 
INDEPENDENCE THEY SAVED THE COUNTRY IN 1962 AND AGAIN IN 1988.
THE DANGER NOW WAS FROM AN ATTEMPT TO WORK ON PARALLEL 
CONSTITUTION.

Asked about progress the constitution making exercise, he said about three_quarters of the 
work have been done. We can not fix a time frame for this. If we say in one year, it would 
be putting limitation on the representatives. Any topic must be decided by consensus and 
accommodation because we don't want to be hasty or go  back to the 1962 situation." The 
previous constitution had been drafted in haste and had shot-comings. 

Mr. Ohn Gyaw did not rule out a role for the armed forces for the future administration  
but a consensus had been reached already in multi-party system of democracy and a 
presidential form of government with  two Houses of Parliament. The guidelines for 
political parties would be spelt out and they would have to be registered with the Election
Commission before  the next election is held. 

Foreigner Minister made it clear that bilateral issues could not be raised in the Asia 
platform and the grouping was committed to a policy of  'non-interference' in the 'internal 
affairs' of any country. He was ready to explain the "real position" to anybody.

Myanmar, he noted, had no "enemies" but he was conscious  that "some power" were 
"manipulation' the world financial institution such as the World Bank on funding 
development project in this country. "It is a classic case of the big powers not liking a 
country and trying to manipulate restriction. We are trying to cooperate with the World
Bank, it is not our making." he explained.

He asserted that "there were no compulsions or obligation" for any country to sign the 
U.N Convention on Human Rights. Like some other countries in Asia, we have to take 
into consideration  our culture, ethos and the standards of development before accepting 
these declaration.

On the recent arrest of  National League for Democracy activists the Minister argued that 
they were not arrested but invited to explain the purpose of their meeting or conference, 
because the Government could not allow the drafting of a parallel constitution by 
individuals. He clarified that media reports on a band on meeting in front of Ms. Suu Kyi's 
house were wrong. on July 7, the SLORC issued an order that would only ban the drafting 
of a constitution by any individuals or group. It made not mention of meeting in front 
anybody's house.

Talking of visit by journalists to Myanmar, he said the Foreign Ministry in Yangon would 
clear application for visas. Journalist who had consistently written against the Government 
and its objectives should not visit the country, he argued. Asked about the death of 
Nicholes, an Honorary Consul for a Scandinavian country, Mr. Ohn Gyaw explained he 
was a citizen of Myanmar. Against medical advice and his health condition, he had 
consumed some food that made him collapse and he died subsequently because of that. 
He had been sentenced even in 1983 for illegal possession of foreign exchange and was 
therefore not qualify or entitled to be an Honorary Counsel fro any country. "Whether 
conclusions others want to draw, they are free to do so, but these are the facts of the case,"
he argued.

He said the Government had no objections to diplomats in Yangon meeting any person, so 
long as it did not tantamount to " interference in internal affairs." He was aware of the 
meetings of some Asean diplomats with Ms. Suu Kyi.

Answering a question on relations with India, Mr. Gyaw said "you have changed 
Governments too often, but all leaders recognized the role of bilateral ties with Myanmar." 
He mentioned specially that relations with the Foreign Ministry were good. Some 
organizations and personalities had also established relationships with individuals in 
Myanmar.

He noted that India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka had a long and historic association and were 
active in the post-World War era. Myanmar was keen on having good relation with 
neighbors.

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