BoHmu Aung's statement in English

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

It is unofficial translation.

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A SOLICITATION BY BOHMU AUNG AND HIS POLITICAL COLLEAGUES FOR IMMEDIATE 
DIALOGUE AND UNITED EFFORT TOWARDS RECONCILIATION AT THE MOMENT OF 
BURMA'S POLITICAL CRISIS

1. We make this appeal in a genuine spirit motivated only by our deep 
concern for the good of our people and country because of: 
our personal involvement in the struggle for Burma's independence;
our efforts to defend and preserve that sovereignty;
our desire for the unity of all the nationalities of the Union and our                         
concern to prevent its disintegration and
our loyalty to our brothers, leaders and comrades who sacrificed their 
lives at different stages of our struggle.

2. Since the 24 November 1995, we have repeatedly appealed and written 
for dialogue to bring about unity and reconciliation while disclosing 
the political, economic and social problems that the country has been 
facing.

Those problems have not diminished but have increased to such a 
magnitude that we are now overcome with the stark distress and grief. We 
do not write this just to be negative and critical. We have studied and 
analysed the facts and now present the situation accurately.

3. We are deeply perplexed at the present political impasse and fear 
that it will peak in crisis that will spell disaster. The people have 
the same foreboding.

4. The past experience of use of force in setting a conflict because of 
different political views resulted in loss of lives, properties and 
wealth , the bitter fruits of which are still being tasted. There has 
been no peace. Can we not avoid the kind of turmoil in other lands for 
the same reasons?

5. There should not be a head-on confrontation in today's political 
crisis. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and the National 
League for Democracy (NLD) are not opposition parties. They are not 
enemies because of rank and class. There is no deep-seated enmity with a 
desire for revenge and retribution. We firmly believe that solutions can 
be found to all our social, political and economic problems if they work 
together in a spirit of goodwill like brothers and sisters seeking 
genuine reconciliation.

6. The SPDC has taken every opportunity to declare that they do not 
intend to hold on to power forever. They have stated  that their 
objectives is to draft a constitution and created a true democratic 
system for the prosperity and development of the country.

The NLD is requesting the SPDC to convene parliament and honour the 
results of the general elections of 1990 which was an act of the leaders 
of the military.

It must be presumed that what is being said and done by both sides is 
what they believe to be in the interest of the country and to overcome 
the difficulties and  problems the country is facing.

You can not achieve your objectives by working independently of each 
other. Making accusations, levelling charges, and working in opposition 
to each other will only  result in greater hatred, desire for revenge, 
suspicion and mistrust. You will eventually be swallowed up by these 
vices. Recent incidents experienced in the country will bear witness to 
this fact.

7. Therefore, if you truly want to serve the country, if you have a 
genuine love and loyalty for the country and if you desire to overcome 
the problems we are faced with today, the only way is by  
reconciliation. The SPDC and the NLD must come together in a common and 
harmonious action to discuss with the ethnic nationalities and other 
democratic forces and formulate a united strategy for peace and 
development. This is an appeal and request made with all due respect.

8. Before it is too  late, you should meet and discuss the problems like 
fellow citizens and countrymen, brothers and sisters with patience and 
understanding, without suspicion and hatred but with mutual trust and 
forgiveness in your hearts and minds. Only then your objectives will be 
attained and the country will be rejuvenated and all the people will 
surely bless  you.

The earlier or the quicker you meet and discuss the problems, the 
earlier and quicker our fears will end and the quicker you can solve the 
problems of the country.

9. We declare our readiness and willingness to give our services in any 
way for the sake of national unity. We are not motivated by personal 
gain or fame. Our main desire is to promote peace and unity.


(Bohmu Aung)
on behalf of my political colleagues

5 August, 1998  


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