NLD Executives Meet for First Time since Win Tin’s Release

By WAI MOE

Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) on Monday held its first executive meeting since the release of prominent leader Win Tin.

“The party executives attended a meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy. “The meeting was the first since the release of several leading members, including U Win Tin.”

Executive member Khin Maung Shwe said that CEC members didn’t discuss many topics at Monday’s meeting, but that the NLD leaders had negotiated the resumption of regular political party activities, such as the party’s organization and a schedule for regular meetings.

“With the exception of secretary U Lwin, all members of the CEC attended,” Nyan Win said.
U Lwin suffered from a stroke nearly one year ago.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo were also unable to attend the meeting, having been under house arrest since Suu Kyi’s convoy was ambushed by junta-backed thugs in Depayin, Sagaing Division in northern Burma in May 2003.

The party’s last meeting was held in September when it marked the first anniversary of the mass demonstrations led by monks.

The NLD CEC members are: Chairman Aung Shwe, 91; Deputy-Chairman Tin Oo, 81; General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, 63; secretaries U Lwin, 86, and Win Tin, 79; executive member Khin Maung Swe, 66, and octogenarian executive members Lun Tin, Soe Myint, Nyunt Wai and Than Tun.

Khin Maung Win said that the party’s chairman, Aung Shwe, was not very well and that many issues were yet to be discussed.

Commenting on the 2010 elections, he said that if the junta initiated a meaningful dialogue with dissidents, the NLD’s calls had been answered.