National League for Democracy
No, 97/B, West Shwe Gun Daing RoadBahun Township,
Rangoon 29 August 2008
SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT – 15/08/08
1. It is observed that the Sixth Mission of UN Secretary General'sSpecial Advisor Mr Gambari, from 18-23 August 2008, has failed toproduce any tangible political progress, who came with the viewtowards realizing both (A) the consecutive UN General Assembly annualresolutions from 1994 through 2007, which call for a) theimplementation of 1990 election results, b) building a democraticstate (in Burma), and c) convening a politically meaningful dialogue,and (B) the Security Council President's Statement, dated 11 October2007, calling on the (SPDC) authorities a) to release with noconditions all political prisoners and detainees including Daw AungSan Suu Kyi and b) embark speedily on politicaldiscussions/dialogues/negotiations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,political parties, and leaders of ethnic nationalities.
2. During his last mission, Mr Gambari failed to secure a meeting withthe senior most military leader who can actually make decisions onbehalf of the State Peace and Development Council. Nor was Mr Gambariable to secure opportunities to meet with with elected MPs from ethnicnationalities parties and individuals representing pro-democracyforces. Instead Mr Gambari only went along with the SPDC-determineditinerary/schedule, thus having wasted invaluable time.
3. During their meeting with Mr Gambari, the NLD leaders told him thatthe popular outcome of the free and fair elections held in 1990 mustnot be nullified and that it is impossible to build a 'democracy'while utterly disregarding the outcome of the popular, free and fairelections (of 1990). Additionally, the NLD leaders queried about MrGambari's views on the 1990 elections results. He chose not to answerthis question.
4. Moving on, the NLD leaders told (Mr Gambari) that the Constitutionof 2008 was drawn up by the SPDC unilaterally and with no legitimateauthority to do so, that the Constitutional Referendum held in May2008 was a sham, with the authorities not seeking to find out aboutthe genuine desire of the public while violating Referendum Rules andRegulations and resorting to all nasty and dirty tricks in order toforcibly secure the desired outcome (of the Referendum). For thesereasons, the NLD unequivocally reject both the Referendum and theConstitution, Mr Gambari was told. Furthermore, (the NLD alsoinformed Mr Gambari) the said Constitution can in no way be considereda step in the right direction. In light of this(conclusion/observation by the NLD), he should not be raising theissue of, and discussing, the upcoming elections, the NLD told MrGambari.
5. Despite the fact that the NLD leaders had presented their party'sviews, Mr Gambari told the SPDC Authoritative Spooks Team "that withthe view towards securing international community's trust andacceptance regarding 2010 general elections, the SPDC should accept UNexpertise and assistance." In addition, Mr Gambari said in hismeeting with the SPDC Team that "once the Election Commission has beenestablished, he would like to further discuss and seek cooperation(with the SPDC) on the issue of providing the SPDC UN technicalassistance." Consequently, there is growing disquiet, dissatisfactionand discontent amongst the Burmese public that strongly desire(genuine) democratization.
6. On the subject of Mr Gambari having an opportunity to meet with DawAung San Suu Kyi, NLD Chairman (U Aung Shwe) told Mr Gambari that itwas SPDC's business. However, Mr Gambari asked the NLD leaders tohelp secure ways to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In response, NLDChairman and General Secretary told Mr Gambari that they thought therecould be some positive outcome if Mr Gambari and Daw Aung San Suu Kyiwere able to meet . With that in mind, Mr Gambari should try tosecure SPDC's permission for the NLD leaders and Daw Aung San Suu Kyito meet, the NLD leaders responded to Mr Gambari.
7. To date Mr Gambari has come to Burma 6 times, having trieddiplomacy. But, the NLD has concluded there is absolutely no progresson any of the following:
A) the release of political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi;
B) starting a politically meaningful dialogue between the SPDC andpro-democracy forces including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; and
C) democratic change and development in Burma.
By the decision taken by the Central Executive Committee in itsmeeting held on 28 August 2008.
Central Executive CommitteeNational League for Democracy
Credit: The English unofficial translation by Dr Zarni
