the aims and objectives of the veteran politicians on the political situation in myanmar

8/14/2019 The Aims and Objectives of the Veteran Politicians on the Political Situation in Myanmar

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The aims and objectives of The Veteran Politicians on the political

situation in Myanmar

February 1, 2009.

1. We, The Veteran Politicians, have taken part in the various stages of ourstruggle and fight for our countrys independence. We rose against the

British colonial rule. We revolted against the fascist Japanese militaryregime. After World War II, Myanmar finally attained independence. But on

the heels of independence the nation was faced with numerous political

problems and difficulties. We were involved in them. The military took

power in 1962. Soon after, political activities ceased and political partieswere banned. The 1988 Revolt was the outrage of the entire mass of peoplewho rose and demanded the immediate end of one-party dictatorship and the

holding of multi-party democratic elections. The military regime gave in to

these demands and allowed political parties to function again. Politicians

took the opportunity to join parties of their choice.

2. The military regime held the multi-party elections on May 27, 1990. Soon

after, most of the political parties were suppressed and banned. Only two

Myanmar parties and some ethnic nationalities parties were allowed tofunction.

3. The National League for Democracy (N.L.D) overwhelmingly supported

by the masses won a land-slide victory at the 1990 elections. Before the

elections the military leaders promised that they would hand over power to

the winner and that the military would return to the barracks. However, thepromise was never kept. Instead of handing over power to the N.L.D, the

military junta procrastinated over the power deal and gave all sorts of

reasons till this day. Instead, the military regime continued with its

unrestrained suppression of party members, especially those from the N.L.D.

It made summary arrests and handed out extrajudicial judgments sentencingprisoners to very long prison sentences. Such outrageous acts of cruelty in

breaching the rule of law have caused much grief and anger amongMyanmar society.

4. In such a lawless situation, veterans who had taken part in the countrysstruggle for independence gathered together and formed a group under the

leadership of Bohmu Aung, former member of the Thirty Comrades and


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now deceased. The main objectives of this group are: national reconciliation,

national unity and economic development of the country. On October 24,

1995 the group requested the military government to meet with the N.L.D party leaders to find ways and means to solve the countrys vexing

problems. This request was never answered even though such requests were

made as often as opportunity demanded.

5. Our aims and objectives are merely to seek the welfare and development

of our nation and the people. We are neither a political party nor anorganized institution. We stand together in a deep sense of camaraderie and

with a profound spirit of nationalism and patriotism for the common good of

people of Myanmar. In the passing years we have lost many of our comrades

there are many who are in poor health.

6. The situation in the country today demands nothing but national

reconciliation and national unity. We firmly believe that a dialogue among

the parties most concerned can achieve such an objective. The United

Nations and the international community have demanded repeatedly for a

dialogue. So have the N.L.D party and other ethnic nationalities parties. Thewhole nation is clamoring for such an engagement. But the military

government remains unmoved and refuses to engage in a dialogue.

Nevertheless, instead, it has continued with its suppression of the people byunlawful arrests and long-term imprison.

7. The military always proclaims that its 7-step Road Map is meant to

establish a disciplined democracy. However, the National Convention which

drafted the state constitution was designed and managed by the military

junta. The so-called National Convention was composed of hand-pickednominees of the military instead of elected representatives. The constitution

was evidently designed and tailored by the military to guarantee the return to

full blown, unmitigated military rule, ensuring the privileged position of the

armed forces. The Referendum which was held is evidently a sham

conducted through deceit coercion. The military is holding general electionsin 2010 which will approve the constitution.

8. The constitutional drafting process lacks participation of political parties,

civil society organizations and the people in general. The N.L.D party which

won a land-slide victory in the 1990 elections has no part in the NationalConvention. Elected members of the ethnic nationalities parties were given

no representation; workers or farmers representatives were denied


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participation in the drafting process. Thus, the National Convention lacked

the participation of the advocates of democracy and ethnic inclusion. The

constitution produced by the National Convention is now universally perceived to be a faulty process and is deeply flawed. We honestly and

humbly state that such a flawed constitution is most likely to fail the people.

It will not lead to our main objectives of achieving genuine multi-party

democracy we so desire.

9. People who claim to establish democratic state are now going against thebasic principles of democracy by their flagrant abuse of state power. The

unfettered power given to executive authorities, especially to the police force

and prison authorities, and also to the armed forces have led to summary

arrests of political dissidents and activists. They are summarily tried andsentenced to incredulously long prison sentences extra judicially, anddispatched to far-flung and remote prisons in the country. Besides, they are

denied the basic rights of political prisoners. They are not able to see their

own family members nor do they receive the medical attention they

desperately need in such horrific prison conditions.

10. The United Nations General Assembly at its various sessions had passed

resolutions on the situation in Myanmar. The U.N Security Council had done

the same on October 11, 2007. The people of Myanmar are in full agreementwith these U.N resolutions. We repeat our request to the United Nations to

continue to urge the government of Myanmar to implement theseresolutions.

11. We repeat our request to the United Nations to further urge the

government of Myanmar on the following:- In establishing a democratic state in Myanmar in the future, the

government of Myanmar should without further delay engage directly

in a dialogue with the National League for Democracy party which

won a land-slide victory in the 1990 general elections and also with

the representatives of ethnic nationalities parties;

- To release unconditionally U Tin U and Daw Aung San Su Kyifrom house arrest; also those political prisoners who are serving

long prison sentences;

- The government of Myanmar itself fairly and freely held the 1990multi-party elections. But the results of the elections are yet to be


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honoured. Instead, the military government is holding another

general elections scheduled for 2010. Such a step is evidently a

violation of democratic principles and traditions. We, therefore,urged that the proposed elections be postponed.

Veteran Politicians Colleagues

the aims and objectives of the veteran politicians on the political situation in myanmar

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