Media/Press Release

National League for Democracy's Press Conference

Monday, 20 February 2012 20:31

Written by Info.NLD

The NLD held a press conference at noon on 20th February 2012 explaining difficulties and harassment during campaigns for the party to domestic and international presses and journalists at the headquarters of the NLD.

NLD patron U Tin Oo made some introductory remarks to reporters and then NLD Campaign Manager U Nyan Win explained difficulties regarding election campaigns. He said that NLD Chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself went for campaigns and faced some difficulties, inconveniences and harassment. For example, before campaign trip to Hlegu Township, authorities allowed football playing ground for public assembly but Union Minister for Sport suddenly refused to allow it only one day prior to the public speech.

Only after the NLD had complained to the Election Commission, the Commission allowed it to be used in consultation with some other authorities. In Pyapon, the Sport Minister again refused to allow the football playing ground, so the NLD had to move the public assembly to another place. He was wondering if Union Election Commission had to follow the order of a Union Minister.

In some constituencies, he heard about indecent campaign promises. For example, son of Union Minister U Tint San is contesting in Myaung Mya constituency and promised that he would build roads and schools if people vote for him.

In some constituencies, our candidates were personally discredited by calling wrong names. Now our chairperson is going to Kachin State and applied for permission to campaign in Namtee Town but refused by authorities for security reason. If so, we didn't understand the reasons why they are holding elections in insecure areas. And we had to raise a question about fairness of the elections. Then he introduced Dr. Myat Nyar Na Soe who became the first elected MP of NLD to reporters. After that, they took questions of reporters.

NLD patrons U Than Tun, Secretariat members U Ohn Kyaing and U Han Thar Myint also attended the press conference.

NLD Statement No-14/02/12 on Union Day

Monday, 13 February 2012 20:53

Written by Info.NLD

National League for Democracy
(97/B) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

February 12, 2012

Statement No-14/02/12

Today marks the 65th Anniversary of the Union Day of Burma. Today is a historic day on which the Union Spirit (or) Pinlon Spirit was conceived. All the nationalities of our country unanimously determined to struggle for the restoration of the sovereignty of our country on this auspicious day.

All the nationalities regarded Bogyoke Aung San as the National Leader and followed his leadership in the struggle to regain the independence. Because of the united strength of the nationalities, the British Government had to invite a delegation led by Bogyoke Aung San for negotiations on the issues of independence.
Holding to resolutions made at the Naythurein Conference of 19 August 1946 which specified that-

"To voluntarily constitute a State with self-determination for all the nationalities of Burma.
To confer the rights of self-determination to all the Constituent nationalities"
and the statement of the Anti-Fascist People Freedom League (AFPFL) issued on 31 December 1946 which demanded:
"To give independence to the Frontier Areas together with the Burma Proper",

Bogyoke Aung San made negotiation with the delegation led by the British Prime Minister Mr. Attlee at London.

The main subject of the meeting was to form a sovereign State after giving Independence to all the peoples of Burma. Subsequently, simultaneous achievement of freedom for the nationalities together with the Burma Proper also became an important issue. Through peaceful dialogues the delegations led by Bogyoke Aung San for his far-sightedness, patriotism, nationalism, selflessness, honesty and perseverance.

The provisions in this agreement which stipulated that:-
"xxx it was agreed that full autonomy in civil administration is to be conferred to the Frontier Areas"
(paragraph 5 of the Agreement)
and
"The peoples of the Frontier Areas shall enjoy the rights recognized as fundamentals in the democratic countries"

were crucial for the nationalities. This agreement contained the fundamental principles to be applied in drafting basic constitution for our country after independence. It was observed that it held on to democratic and union principles.

With respect to the structure of Union, at the preparatory conference of AFPFL held on 27 September 1946, the National Leader Bogyoke Aung San said that-
"I want to answer the question whether we should build up a unitary State based on one dominant race. In my opinion, we cannot build unitary State giving appropriate rights to other nationalities. We must build a union."

At the coordination meeting between Union Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) held on 15 July 1989, the General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said-

"Today the national cause means democracy and equality of the nationalities. These two aspects cannot be separate in building up a truly prosperous, genuinely united and actually stable Union of Burma, no matter how you name the country of our inspiration, be it the Third Union of Burma or New Union of Burma"

It is important that the "Pinlon Spirit" or the Union Spirit founded by the National Leader Bogyoke Aung San and the leaders of nationalities thrives in the country. Only then the national reconciliation and genuine peace would be possible. A stable and peaceful Union cannot be built up and genuine development could not be achieved without peace in the country.

Therefore, it is declared that the NLD will continue to strive for a peaceful, perpetual Union where all the nationalities are united and enjoy democracy, equality, human rights and prosperity.

As per decision of Central Executive Committee (CEC) held on 2.2.2012,

CEC
National League for Democracy (NLD)

Chairman of the Ceremony's Speech on Union Day

Monday, 13 February 2012 20:46

Written by Info.NLD

National League for Democracy
(97/B) West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

February 12, 2012

Chairman's Speech

I wish health, wealth and auspiciousness to all of you.

Today marks the 65^th Anniversary of Union Day on which the national unity was built by our National Leader Bogyoke Aung San through negotiations with the leaders of the nationalities. On this historic day, February 12, 1947, the Pinlon Agreement was signed at Pinlon town in Southern Shan State between Bogyoke Aung San and the leaders of the nationalities after negotiation regarding the forthcoming independence of our country.

The National Unity could have been built after the signing of the Pinlon Agreement. It was possible to achieve National Unity only because of honesty, selflessness, perseverance of Bogyoke Aung San and the far-sightedness of the leaders of nationalities.

Successive stages of Independence struggle finally culminated with the successful negotiation process. The sovereign Union of Burma was born after National Constitution of 1947 was drafted and ratified in accordance the Pinlon spirit or the Spirit of National Unity.

But during the 65 years after the Independence, National Unity disintegrated due to several causes. Therefore, it is now important to build national reconciliation through dialogue for the establishment of a democratic union and its longevity. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy stressed the need for dialogues to resolve the problems facing the nation. Only after the national reconciliation has been achieved, National Unity can be built and the country can be genuinely peaceful.

Therefore, I want to conclude by saying that the National League for Democracy will always strive for the establishment of democracy and unity of the nationalities and perpetuation of the peace and tranquility.

NLD Secretary U Lwin Passed away

Wednesday, 07 December 2011 20:18

Written by Info.NLD

U Lwin Montury

NLD secretary U Lwin, the 88 year-old senior politician, passed away at his residence in Bahan Township, Rangoon at 8:45 p.m. on 6th December, 2011. U Lwin was one of the founders of the National League for Democracy. Since its inception, U Lwin became the treasurer of the NLD in 1988. In 1992 when the Central Executive Committee of the NLD was reformed, he was assigned as the secretary. In 2008, he was retired from political works due to his deteriorating health condition.

Some political prisoners released

Thursday, 13 October 2011 13:21

Written by Info.NLD

Some political prisoners have been released starting from 7 a.m. on 12th October 2011 according to an amnesty declared by the office of the President.

According to news collected by NLD members, 184 political prisoners were released so far up to 4 p.m. 4 political prisoners including Zarganar, a well known comedian, 5 people including U Saw Hlaing (Inndaw MP elect), 6 from Khantee prison including Su Su Nwe, 3 from Buutheetaung prison including U Indriya, U Kyaw Khin from Taung Gyi prison, Ko Naing Soe from Bamaw prison, 4 from Keng Teng prison including U Sein Win Maung, 6 from Kalay prison including Thein Lwin Oo, U Than Lwin (MP elect from Madaya) from Loi Kaw prison, 10 from Shwebo prison including Ma Lay Lay Mon, U PhalaBawma from Monywar prison, Ko Thike Minn from Sibaw prison, 4 from Lashio prison including Ko Aung Zaw Oo, Ko Thiha Win Tin from Myin Gyan prison, 2 from Meikthilar prison including Ko Nyo Win, Ko Nay Kyaw from Pa-an prison, 3 from Mawlamyaing prison including Moe Htet Lyan, 5 from Myeik prison including Ko Zaw Htoo (a) Maung Maung Htoo, 2 from Hinthada prison including Ko Than Zaw, 3 from Sittwe prison including Ko Zaw Min (a) Tay Za, 3 from Kyaunk Phyu prison including Ko Ar Kar Bo, 6 from Taungoo prison including Ko Nyi Nyi Oo, 2 from Pegu prison including Ko Wunna Aung, 26 from Tharyarwaddy prison including Ko Kyi Lwin, 16 from Thayet prison including Ma Ni Moe Hlaing, Ko Khit Ko Linn from Pakkuko prison, 6 from Ramethin prison inluding Ko Nay Zar Myo, 30 political prisoners from Insein prison including Ko Tun Tun Oo.