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NLD's statement 20(8/98)
It is unofficial translation.
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National League for Democracy
No: (97/b) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon
Statement No: 20 (8/98)
1. On 24.7.98 at 9:05 hours Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the General Secretary
of the National League for Democracy and a Central Executive Committee
Member peacefully and quietly were travelling t Bassein by car.
2. The purpose of this journey was to raise the morale of NLD
parliamentary members and their families. Respected and honourable NLD
members of parliament were being deliberately humiliated and subjected
to provisions of law designed for habitual offenders committing the most
despicable crimes imaginable. This mission is entirely in keeping with
Burmese cultural practices and in fulfillment of their responsibility as
leaders of the NLD.
3. The NLD and the General Secretary did not have the slightest
intention of causing any disturbance when they set out on this peaceful
mission. What happened on that journey is set out below as told by them.
(1) On 24-7-98, (19:05 hours) about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away, near
Anyasu village the road was blocked by the authorities with barbed wire
and security forces encircled the car. The next morning at about 10:40
a:m the car was lifted and pushed on to a near-by wooden bridge that
crossed a stream.
(2) Wooden blocks were placed against the four wheels of the car by the
authorities. One Dina car (No: 4 kagyi/9518) blocked the road at the
head of the bridge which was replaced by another big car (No: pa/3614
TE-10) at about 11:30 a:m.
(3) In the evening at about 16:05 hours, Police Brigadier-General Aung
Nwai and one Deputy arrived on the scene and tapped on the door of the
car. Then he tried to open it by force in a rude manner. Unlike the
authorities at Minhla town in Pegu Division and Pantanaw town in
Irrawaddy Division, these people had no authority to use their
discretion in making immediate decisions. Besides, because of their
uncivil and rude behaviour, the General Secretary refused to open the
doors of the car.
(4) Barbed wire rolls were placed behind the car that night at about
19:10 hours. But these barbed wire rolls were removed on 26.7.98 when
the authorities brought reporters, some diplomats and military attaches
to view the scene. The security forces also changed into civilian
clothes for this viewing.
(5) On 25.7.98 at 8:33 hours the wooden blocks that were wedged to the
car wheels on 24-7-98 were removed. So at 10:52 hours, as there was no
barricade in the front, the car was started and while heading towards
Bassein, the security forces came out and again blocked the road. Two
minutes later (10:54) they pushed the car from the road back to the
little wooden bridge.
(6) One security man purchased a container of pure water for the party
but he was never seen again.
(7) Early 26.7.98 at about 6:52 hours when they started to drive towards
Bassein they were prevented again. The security forces stretched barbed
wire across the road and blocked their passage before they again pushed
the car back on to the bridge (about 7:04 hours).
(8)At about 8:00 hours they tried to buy some water for drinking but the
authorities prohibited them saying that they had
"orders from higher up".
(9) At about 8:50 hours, Major Yan Naing from the Military Intelligence
arrived and said "Aunty, where are you going?" The General Secretary
replied, "We are going to the NLD elected representatives whose
movements have been restricted and have had to sign bonds." She also
said " Making out to the diplomats that these measures were taken
because there was no security personnel was a big lie."
(10)At 12:07 the road was cleared of all barricades that had been placed
there previously and the security men changed their uniforms for
civilian clothes . Two security men in civilian clothes sat and waited
at the opening of a small hut by the road where the car would drive by.
(11)A second request to purchase drinking water was made to the
authorities but permission was refused. As there was no more water for
drinking they had to collect the rain water with their umbrellas at
about 13:30 hours.
(12)All food and water was exhausted by 26.7.98. The authorities would
neither allow the members of the League to supply them with food and
water nor did they supply the food themselves.
(13)On 27.7.98, Major Yan Naing came again and spoke to U Hla Pe, thee
Central Executive Committee member. He said " Uncle, you are old and you
can achieve nothing by going on like this. You have had a good deal of
experience in the political field, and there is much more to be done in
future. I tell you this for your benefit." The General Secretary then
responded by saying " Don't utter words with the intention of causing
split."
(14)At 12:25 in the afternoon, Major Yan Naing came again and the
conversation that took place was as follows:-
Major Yan Naing?" Big Sister and Uncle, the best thing for you is to
return to Rangoon."
General Secretary?" A public road can be used by everyone, but to
prohibit a particular person from using it has no meaning".
Major Yan Naing?" This action has been taken by the responsible area
authority for purposes of security."
General Secretary?" Security personnel are included here. Don't come and
lie to us."
Major Yan Naing?" Big Sister, the information that you have got is not
true. There has been no arrest whatsoever in the Irrawaddy Division."
General Secretary?." You may ask in-charge of the Irrawaddy Division who
is here right now."
The Chairman of the organising committee then gave the names of the NLD
M.Ps against whom action had been taken under the Movement Restriction
Act.
Major Yan Naing?" Do not talk to me about this. It is the action of the
security authorities of the area."
General Secretary?" The government that is in control is responsible for
the unjust actions of its servants. There should be one law for all.
Cannot the central government taken action and put right the wrongs done
by the area commanders? The Central authorities should control the area
commanders."
(15)28.7.98 (11:00 a:m) The General Secretary's personal physician Dr.
Tin Myo Win came to attend to her. The Doctor found that there was no
drinking water and for the first time, on his recommendation, permission
was granted for the purchase of 3 containers of pure water for drinking.
Before returning, the doctor left five hundred kyats with the
authorities to supply them with 5 containers of drinking water. When the
General Secretary agreed to be attended by her physician, Major Yan
Naing brought his camera men but she refused to submit herself to
medical treatment in the presence of these people.
(16) Though Dr. Tin Myo Win had given money at about 10:00 in the
morning, for five containers of water, the authorities delivered them
only at 16:05 hours.
(17)On 29.7.98 at about 12 noon, Dr. Tin Myo Win was brought by the
authorities to attend to them. The food and medicines and clothes that
he had brought for the general secretary had to be left at the
inspection gate of the Police Battalion No: 9 that was posted there. He
could take her only some of the medicines which they approved. Dr. Pyone
Ei Moe, the lady doctor was not permitted to accompany him but was
herself subjected to a body search.
(18)At 17:00 hours, The Chairman, Deputy Chairman and a member of the
Central Executive Committee went and saw the General Secretary and
party. They were not allowed to take them the food and clothing that
they bought. All had to be left at the gate. These things were given
back to them on their return.
(19) A suggestion given by the SPDC to a CEC member through Major Thura
has to be brought before all the Central Executive Committee members of
the League. Therefore, a reply was given to Major Thura that it would be
necessary for them to meet with the General Secretary and U Hla Pe to
discuss the matter and come to a decision. Major Thura said that it
would not be appropriate for all to go and gave permission for the
Chairman, Vice-Chairman and one member only to see them. ( This explains
the reason for the visit to the barricaded place on the bridge.) After
discussing the SPDC's proposal. It was decided to put a counter-proposal
to them and by a unanimous decision the Chairman took the responsibility
to implement the terms of that decision.
(20) The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and a CEC member left the barricaded
General Secretary and the party at 19:40 hours and at 21:00 hours
arrived back at the house of U Lwin (CEC member). Before they could act
on their decision,, the authorities grabbed, seized and forcefully
removed the General Secretary and her party from their vehicle, and took
them back.
(21) It was because the General Secretary sent for the Chairman through
a messenger that he and three others went to see her. She was not
entrusted to their care by the authorities.
(22) This was how she was brought back. At night (about 20:10 hours),
Major Thura (who had at one time been posted on security duty in her
compound) with about 50 of his forces, arrived on the scene. There was a
long line of cars already parked in readiness on the road.
(23) Ko Tun Myint, Ko Nyunt Shwe (NLD members) and U Hla Pe (Central
Executive Committee member) were forcefully and physically seized and
shoved into the motor vehicles that were standing by.
(24) At the same time, having been deprived of food and water, the
exhausted and weak General Secretary was lying supine in the car. Major
Thura and his party entered the car and using physical force seized her
bodily, thus committing acts amounting to assault and battery. Without
her consent they took her back to her residence. Without her consent or
permission, they drove her private car back also.
(25) Major Thura's version given to U Than Tun (CEC member) on 30-7-98
(16:00 hours) was:-
For about 15 to 20 minutes he requested Daw Aung San Suu Kyi but she
said that she could give him only five minutes and that he was to go and
ask U Than Tun in the morning. She kept counting the minutes do when
five minutes was up he had no choice. He lifted her up and places two
female medical nurses on either side of her. The soldiers drove this car
and returned her to her home.
4. An assessment of he facts given above are as follows:-
(a) By committing acts of illegal obstruction and illegal capture and
detention a deliberate situation has been created to bring about
confrontation.
(b) Criminal acts including intimidation, battery and assault, and theft
have been committed.
(c) Acts violating the provisions of Articles 3, 9, 13(1) and 25(1) of
the Declaration of Human Rights relating to basic human rights of
individuals have been committed.
(d) Refusing to let them proceed on their journey, cutting off all
contact with their surroundings and environment and denying them access
to food and drinking water amount to behaviour and actions endangering
the lives of the General Secretary and her party. Then, when they were
weak and exhausted, physical force was applied against them. If medical
assistance had not been provided, the General Secretary could have lost
her life.
(e) Previously on two occasions the General Secretary's life had been
threatened. Once, on
9-11-96, a group of hooligans attacked and struck her car endangering
her life while the security forces looked on and did nothing,
Again on 25-6-98 the General Secretary was hurt in a melee when a group
of youths of the NLD were on their way to the reading session, the
authorities blocked their passage and beat them up. Activities of the
authorities jeopardising her life has occurred three times in all.
(f) The present operation was deliberately planned in advance.
(g) Though they proclaim that women are being protected, the fact is
that the Noble Peace Prize Laureate, Democracy leader, General Secretary
of the National League for Democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's life is
being threatened by illegal activities.
These facts are categorically and explicitly set out for all to know and
understand.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
August 3, 1998
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