Press release of Myanmar Embassy in (r)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                                   MYANMAR EMBASSY
                                           TEL AVIV

                                P R E S S    R E L E A S E
 
                           No. 10 / 98            9 September 1998

                             The Appropriate Action To Maintain and
                                  Safeguard National Security


        The Government of Myanmar lifted restrictions placed on Mrs. Suu Kyi
in 1995. After releasing from her house arrest, Mrs. Suu Kyi and the NLD
attempted to convene a nation-wide party convention in 1996. The authorities
had to take action to prevent the meeting taking places in order to keep
peace and stability. However, the holdings of the NLD convention in the
compound of Mrs. Suu Kyi  were permitted by the authorities  in 1997 and again
in this year as situation in the country had improved.  But the NLD and Mrs.
Suu Kyi, encouraged and influenced by some foreign nations and media,
misconstrued the Government's gesture as a sign
 of weakness and adopted a confrontational stance. On 23 June 1998, the NLD
demanded the Government to convene a parliament within two months which was
due on 21 August 1998.

   When the NLD found that its ultimatum was not met, it declared its
intention to convene a parliament unilaterally.  In the mean time, the NLD
negotiated secretly with other organizations and has been encouraging the
masses to be out on streets whenever opportune to cause instability in the
nation.

   The Government of Myanmar has been holding the National Convention since
1993 in order to draft a new State Constitution.  Technically and legally a
national parliament cannot be convened in the absence of a national
constitution.  The unilateral action of convening a parliament by the NLD can
lead to a situation of paralleled government, and such situation can not be
allowed by any government of any country at any circumstances.

   The Government of Myanmar noted with concern the decision and move of the
NLD to convene a national parliament. Such an action by any individual party
would be in contravention of Myanmar law and it can lead to institutional
confusion and adversely effect the National Security and stability of the
State. To avoid this undesirable situation, the Government has taken
appropriate measures.  Some members of the NLD have been invited by the
Government to help ensure a peaceful transition to a multiparty democracy.
The NLD members have been very cooperative, and are being comfortably housed
in government guest houses. No member of NLD has  been arrested or charged
with any crime.

   Each and every government has to give priority to National Interest and
National Security over the interest of an individual or a political party. To
carry out its obligation, the Government of Myanmar has been taking
appropriate action to maintain and safeguard National Security.

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