Translation of NLD Proclamation(4/9

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Subject: Translation of NLD Proclamation(4/97)

[The following is translated from NLD transcript (Proclamation(4/97)
written in Burmese.]

Proclamation on the Seventh Anniversary of Multi-Party Democratic
General Elections which falls on 27 May 1997 

Proclamation(4/97)

1. Beginning from 1988, the entire country rose up in protest, an
unheard of event in our history, to demand in one voice, their lost
democratic rights. This was a daring demonstration of the true wishes of
the people. In so doing, all monks, all citizens, all students invested
their lives, their blood, their sweat in this great effort to restore
democracy.

2. To stop this great demand and to implement the wishes of the people,
State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) took control of the
state and because they were unable to turn a blind eye to the people?s
wishes, they permitted the people formation of political parties and
political activities  and openly promised to hold a democratic general
election.

3.  In these circumstances, it was necessary that a political party
representative of the people be created  to strive towards the goal of
full democratic rights and satisfy the wishes of the people.


4.  To fulfil this need, this historically significant event involving
matters relating to defence and politic that are traditionally
considered big and important, intellectuals and technicians, respected
persons experienced and skilled in matter of politics , 
economics, education, culture and state administration came together and
joined 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Bogyoke Aung San, our national
hero and father of the Burma army who had gained the full support and
confidence of the people in their great call for democracy, They founded
and registered the National League for Democracy  on 27.9.88 under the
provisions of the Law for Registration of Political Parties and it
exists and operates as a legal political party even to this day.

5.  On the 30 May, 1989, the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(SLORC) promulgated the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law ( No 14\85 )  and on
27.5.90 held the general elections to enable the people and the multi
political parties to freely and fairly elect their representatives to
the Pyithu Hluttaw. Together with 92  other political parties, the
National League for Democracy contested this election.

6.  Out of a total of   485 constituencies, the National League for
Democracy  contested 477 and their candidates won 392 seats. This result
was acknowledged and the candidates were declared to be the duly elected
representatives of the people by the Multi-Party Democratic Election
Commission. Having won 82% of the constituents by a majority of  59.8%
it is obvious that the people clearly placed their trust and support for
the National League for Democracy.






7. Section 3, Chapter 2 of the Hluttaw Law  states
		?the Hluttaw shall be convened with representatives elected 
		from the constituencies in accordance with this law? .
 For the implementation of the results of the election the only step
that should have been taken was the formation of a Pyithu Hluttaw. There
is no ambiguity about this.

8. Since no  Hluttaw was formed, it became the duty of the National
League for Democracy, and the elected representatives of the people to
come together for a first  preliminary meeting at the Ghandi Hall on the
28th and 29th July to co-ordinate a plan of action for the formation of
a Pyithu Hluttaw. The Ghandi Hall Declaration  was a public statement of
their views in the matter.

9. At the same time, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
issued Notification 1/90 on the 27 July and required all legally
constituted political parties to signify that they would abide by the
provisions embodied the said notification, paragraph  12 of which
reads;- 
		?xxx  the State Law and Order Restoration Council will implement
the 			convening  of a Pyithu Hluttaw?.

10. It than became the responsibility of the State Law and Restoration
Council to convene a Pyithu Hluttaw in accordance with the Pyithu
Hluttaw Election Law, Chapter  2, Section 3 and Notification 1/90,
paragraph 12, both of which had been promulgated by them as a follow up
of the election.
Therefore their excuse that a Pyithu Hluttaw  cannot be convened because
there is no Pyithu Hluttaw Law is not valid. The  State Law and Order
Restoration Council has been making many laws and there is nothing to
stop them from making the law necessary for the convening of a Pyithu
Hluttaw..

11. Instead, the State Law and Order Restoration Council convened a
National Convention in 1993 for the purpose of drawing up a constitution
and defining  constitutional issues. But, the National League for
Democracy believes that these matter should not be settled by a Pith
Hullo composed of the people?s representatives  and in full consultation
and  in accordance with the wishes of the people.


12. In order to bring about national reconciliation and with honest
intentions, the National League for Democracy  participated in the
National Convention for three years and always bearing in mind the
desire of the people, presented fundamental principles that needed to be
incorporated in the constitution to be a true union. However, the action
taken by the National Convening  Committee and the decisions arrived at
by the convention of the regulations and the procedures agree upon at
the preparatory meeting for the convening of the said national
convention. The National League for Democracy informed the Chairman of 
the National Convention Convening Committee that wanted to discuss
matters relating to
		(a) national reconciliation
		(b) true democracy
		(c) the creation of an acceptable and reliable constitution and until
such time as these matters could be discussed , its members would
refrain from attending the Convention but  would wait which they are
doing till this day.

13. The National League for Democracy gained the largest support from
among the ten legally existing  political parties Prior to the election
and until this day, the National League for Democracy is the part of
that has suffered the most by way of restrictions, repression, and the
oppressions. On 20.7.89 before the election, preventative measures were
taken against the leaders U Tin Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under  10
(b). U Tin Oo was subsequently charged and sentenced. After the
election, on 6.9.90, one of the leading member of the National League
for Democracy, U Kyi Maung, the returned candidate for Bahan township,
Constituency 2, was arrested and sentenced. In the
same manner, other Central Committee Members, Committee Members and
elected representatives of the people were arrested and sentenced to
imprisonment. At  all levels,- state, division, township, ward and
village there has been a systematic  pattern of oppression with arrests,
imprisonment, removal of signboards, and banning of meetings.

14. We are prevented from performing normal activities of a legitimate
political party. Added to that was a disgraceful incident when on 9
November 1996 the action of shameful destructive elements in life
threatening physical assaults on the leader U Tin Oo, U Kyi Maung and
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was condoned  by the security forces who were
present on the occasion. In the entire country, Central Committee and
Committee Members and ordinary members are facing harassment not only in
the political sphere but extending also to the socio-economic spheres.
These are undesired situations which will not benefit the people nor
will the outcome be a genuine democracy. This will not solve the
problems that the country is facing.

15. Today is the 7th anniversary of the democratic multi-party general
election that the  State Law and Order Restoration Council called. The
people  are yearning for the emergence of a Pyithu Hluttaw as a
consequential result of that election. We urged the State Law and
Restoration Council to act honestly and sincerely by convening a Pyithu
Hluttaw Law and Notification No. 1/90. made by them.

16. Political and economic problems that the country is facing will not
be solved  by suppressive and restrictive actions at all governmental
levels against the members and executives of the National League for
Democracy as is happening today. The quickest way to built a modern,
developed democratic union is by general agreement, co-operation and
participation of all the nationalities. Bearing no grudges against one
another; having only as our goal prosperity for the people; with good
and virtuous intentions we should meet and discuss and find situations.
The National League for Democracy believes that this is a only way by
which the well being of the state and its citizens can be achieved.

17. The National League for Democracy firmly  believes that national
reconciliation and genuine democracy can be achieved in the shortest
space of time.
On this the 7th anniversary of the general election, the National League
for Democracy publicly declares that we always welcome dialogue and that
we will hold fast to the following  three concepts to find solutions to
our problems 
	a) Sincerity with openness and mutual respect;
	b) National reconciliation as our objective;
	c) Orientation towards general harmony free from personal grudges.

Rangoon
Central  Executive Committee
6th Waning moon day of the month of Kason
National League for Democracy
27 May, 1997