NLD Statement 175 (12/99) (r)

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

Statement 175 (12/99) (translation)

1.  We have received news relating to the cancellation of arrangements
for a wedding reception of the son of a certain Sergeant stationed at
Rangoon Division, Dala Township Police Force and the daughter of an NLD
member.

2. After the Thrizeya Reception Hall in Dala township had been hired for
the occasion, the bridegroom's father received a phone call from the
military intelligence on the night of 1st December, 1999 inquiring if
the bride-to-be had any relatives in the NLD.  He confirmed that the
wedding was to be held on the 5th December 1999 and said that he was not
sure about the relatives being NLD members. However, he didn't think it
was probable because the bride was a member of the civil service. He was
then told that at a meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had mentioned that she
would be attending the ceremony and this information had been
transmitted by the central military intelligence to their township
section.

3.  The parties concerned were keen to avoid any misunderstanding so
they went and explained matters to the military intelligence. They
admitted that one of them was an NLD member and the spouse was a civil
servant. No NLD member had been invited. All invitations were out.  Then
the military intelligence required secrecy of all the things that had
transpired and insisted that they go themselves to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
and prevent her from attending the wedding. This was agreed to because
they did not want any disruption to the arrangements. They were also
required to report back after completion of the task.

4.  Despite the above, on the morning of the 2nd December, the
bride-to-be tearfully informed her parents that wedding arrangements had
been cancelled and invitations had to be revoked.

5.  On 3rd December, the military intelligence told the Sergeant that
the case was not closed as yet and asked if they had met with Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi as yet. The Sergeant thought that since the wedding had been
cancelled on the 2nd and invitations recalled there was no need to
proceed further in the matter. But they insisted that Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi be contacted.

6. From the above it appears that the authorities are so consumed with
fear that they panic as soon as they get a bit of news and without
inquiry or justification will disrupt and prevent people from performing
their traditional cultural ceremonies regardless of the sorrow and
disappointment to the prospective bride and groom and their relatives
and parents.  This should not happen.

7.  This disruption to a wedding ceremony reflects a total absence of
fellow feeling and is an extremely mean exercise.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon

17 December 1999








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