Press Release from Permanent Missio

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

Press Release from Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to the UN in New
York.( 19-9-97)

Positive and Sincere Attempt of the Myanmar Government at Dialogue Baffled

	Nearly two months after the first meeting between the officials of the State
Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and the representatives of the
National League for Democracy (NLD) on 17 July 1997, Lt.Gen. Khin Nyunt,
Secretary-1 of the SLORC extended on 15 September 1997 an official invitation
to the Chairman of the NLD U Aung Shwe and two other Central Executive
Committee members to an open discussion with the officials of the SLORC.

	Despite the fact that the Chairman of the NLD and the two CEC members had
welcomed the overture of the government, the meeting scheduled for the next
day, 16 September 1997, did not materialize. While Secretary-1 of the SLORC,
together with the Chairman of the National Convention Convening Committee and
Minister for Religious Affairs Lt. Gen. Myo Nyunt, Chief Justice U Aung Toe,
Attorney-General U Tha Tun and the Commander of Yangon Command Major General
Khin Maung Than, was expecting the arrival of the NLD Chairman and the two
CEC members at the meeting, it was intimated through a liaison officer that U
Aung Shwe had decided not to attend the scheduled meeting. The unpersuasive
reason given was that in spite of his capacity as Chairman of the Party U
Aung Shwe was not at liberty to engage in any discussion with the government
without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

	The persistent demand of the NLD for a dialogue not withstanding, the
sincere attempt of the government at a dialogue was thus baffled by the
intransigence of an individual who placed her interest above that of her
party -- the NLD.

*********