Asean NGOs Support CRPP, MP detenti (r)

[maungt@xxxxxxxxxx]

Reply-To: "Maung Maung Than" <@one.net.au>
Subject: Re: Asean NGOs Support CRPP, MP detentions "Barbaric"

Dear Debbie and Altsean,

Could please explain a little bit more about the date of the announcement of
CRPP. I have recently checked most of CRPP and NLD statement . I could not
find any thing mentioning it was first announced on the 1st of September 98.
I only found that I held the first meeting on 16th of September. We were
having tent protest outside the SPDC embassy in Canberra after the 21st
August  dead line was passed . I thought it would make a big news if the
CRPP was first announced on the 1st of Sept . As you know the nature of CRPP
is an unprecendent  and very powerful ( authorized by 251
parliamentarians-elect) In fact The Australian news papers first carried the
foundation of CRPP on 17th of September 1998. Thanks for your time . Your
answer will be greatly appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
To: Recipient list suppressed <Recipient list suppressed>
Date: Friday, September 17, 1999 4:15 AM
Subject: Asean NGOs Support CRPP, MP detentions "Barbaric"


>For immediate release
>17 September 1999
>
>MEDIA RELEASE:
>ASEAN ACTIVISTS SUPPORT BURMA COMMITTEE
>
>Bangkok, Fri: A network of Asean-based NGOs has confirmed its recognition
>of the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP) as the
>legitimate voice of Burma's voters.
>
>Members of Altsean-Burma (Alternative Asean Network on Burma) agreed that
>the circumstances perpetuated by the military junta made it both necessary
>and legitimate for the CRPP to act on behalf of Parliament until Parliament
>is convened.
>
>At a recent meeting held near the Thai-Burmese border, the network vowed to
>step up the campaign to sign on more support for the CRPP from
>organizations in the region, and urged Asean member states to begin
>informal talks with the Committee. The CRPP has the mandate of more than
>half the MPs elected in 1990, and was formed in adherence to domestic law a
>year ago. (The CRPP was announced on September 1, 1998 and held its first
>meeting on September 16. It has since gained broad support from key
>international organizations such as the European Parliament and the Inter
>Parliamentary Union).
>
>"Since the massive crackdown on pro-democracy activists and mass detentions
>of elected MPs, the CRPP has played a crucial role in representing the
>interests of the Parliament. It has been able to fulfil its
>responsibilities commendably despite intense pressure and harassment from
>the military authorities. The CRPP has proved itself to be a concrete
>alternative to the junta." noted Altsean-Burma Coordinator Debbie Stothard.
>
>"The existence of the CRPP is a powerful reminder of the junta's
>illegitimacy, in fact the regime has not been able to denounce the CRPP as
>an illegal organization. The junta's response has been to orchestrate
>forced no-confidence rallies against MPs, and hold MPs as hostages against
>the CRPP.
>
>"The junta has called for the dissolution of the CRPP as a condition for
>the release of prisoners, and more recently, as a condition for political
>dialogue. Arbitrarily detaining people for use as gambling chips to
>dissolve the CRPP is barbaric. The fastest way to dissolve the CRPP is to
>convene the Parliament according to the results of the last election,"
>emphasized Stothard.
>
>To mark the CRPP's first anniversary, Altsean-Burma has produced a 32-page
>booklet on the Committee to accompany a briefing note produced last month.
>The booklet and briefing note will be used as resources in the campaign to
>broaden support for the Committee.
>
>ENDS
>
>For more information, please contact:
>Bangkok tel. (66 2) 275 1811, Tel/fax (66 2) 693 4515
>or email <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>-----------------------------------
>A L T S E A N - B U R M A
>Alternative Asean Network on Burma
>Tel: 66 2 275 1811 * Fax: 66 2 693 4515
><altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>
>