NLD DECLARATION CALLS FOR ASSK RELEASE, DIALOGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000820

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM ASSK NLD
SUBJECT: NLD DECLARATION CALLS FOR ASSK RELEASE, DIALOGUE

REF: RANGOON 646

Classified By: A/DCM W. Patrick Murphy for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (SBU) On July 5 the Embassy received a request from the
National League for Democracy to deliver to U.S.
Congressional leaders a declaration signed by 114
Members-elect of Parliament calling for the unconditional
release of all democracy activists (including Aung San Suu
Kyi and U Tin Oo); a meaningful and substantive dialogue
between the NLD and the SPDC; and the convening of
Parliament.


2. (C) The signed declaration is the result of a petition
drive previewed by NLD leaders with Emboffs on May 26 and
launched on May 27, the NLD's 15th anniversary commemorating
the 1990 legislative election (reftel). Given that the
number of living and free MPs-elect resident in Burma has
dwindled since 1990--and the repercussions for past efforts
to convene Parliament--the petition was a fairly significant
undertaking. The NLD, however, has no expectation that the
SPDC will respond favorably to any of the MPs' demands.


3. (U) Begin text of letter (Post has pouched originals to
EAP/BCLTV):

29th June, 2005

Dear Madame,

The National League for Democracy collected signatures from
the elected members of Parliament, regarding the declaration
which is attached herewith. This declaration was made on
27th May, 2005 which was the 15th Anniversary of Multi Party
Democracy Election.

Appended is the list of signatures.

Also enclosed are two envelopes on the same subject. It will
be very grateful if these enclosures be forwarded to (the)
President of the Senate and to the Honorable Speaker of the
House of Representative of the United States of America.

Thanking you again.

Sincerely,

U Aung Shwe (Chairman)
U Lwin (Secretary)

End Text of Letter.


4. (U) Begin Text of Declaration (as received):

Demand of the Members of Parliament of the National League
for Democracy

Rangoon
27th May, 2005

The root cause of all the problems encountered in Burma
to-day is the failure to fulfil the stipulations in the laws
(e.g. not calling the Parliament) enacted in respect of the
Multiparty Democracy Elections which had been freely and
fairly held in 1990.

In deference to the laws enacted by themselves and the
principle of equality before the law and as a matter of
respecting the will of the people, the State Peace and
Development Council is:

Ruthlessly suppressing the National League for Democracy and
other democratic organizations in various ways;

Detaining the leaders of the National League for Democracy
and other democratic forces;

Ignoring to solve the political problems by political means
and;

Trying to realize their own unilaterally formulated political
road map;

We firmly believe that the politically meaningful dialogue
based on the principle of "clean slate" policy, as
consistently called for by the National League for Democracy
with the objectives of national reconciliation and
establishment of a democratic state, is the best means to
solve peacefully the current problems of the country.

Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional
release of all the democratic activists including U Tin Oo,
the Vice Chairman and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary
of the National League for Democracy, other ethnic leaders
and nationalities who are detained under numerous fabricated
reasons and we call for a meaningful and substantive dialogue
between the National League for Democracy and the State Peace
and Development Council and the convening of the Parliament.

We, the undersigned, having read and understood all the
above, the elected representatives of the People's Parliament
put on our signatures below at our own free will and
conscious mind without any coercion or intimidation from
anybody.

In accordance with the decision of the CEC of National League
for Democracy on 23rd May, 2005

(114 Signatures Appended)

End Text of Declaration.

Martinez