Win Tin Denies NLD Divided Over 2010 Election

By MIN LWIN

Win Tin, a leading member of Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), denied claims that he had said the party was divided over whether it would take part in an election slated for 2010.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, Win Tin said that he was misquoted in a report by Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA), which stated that he had told a visiting European diplomat that “some [in the party] want to participate [in the election] and some do not.”

“The NLD hasn’t considered joining the military-backed election in 2010,” he said.

“I told the Italian diplomat that there are two approaches in the NLD. Some, like me, reject the constitution outright, while some want to amend the constitution after parliament is convened,” he said, adding that he was referring to a parliament consisting of representatives elected in 1990.

Win Tin, who was released earlier this year from Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison after serving 19 years, said that “throughout my prison life and since my release, I have rejected the junta-backed constitution.”

According to the DPA report, published on November 29, Attilo Massimo Ianucci, the Asia-Pacific chief of Italy’s foreign ministry, had urged the NLD to participate in the 2010 election.

“He said at present, the military occupied 100 percent of the government and after 2010, there would be only 25 percent. It is much better than the current situation,” Win Tin was quoted as saying.

In a statement issued on December 10 to the Foreign Correspondents Club of Myanmar, based in the former capital Rangoon, Win Tin reiterated that he has always rejected the junta’s efforts to write a new constitution through the military-backed National Convention, first convened in 1993. He said that he clearly stated his position on the matter in front of visiting US Congressman Bill Richardson and military intelligence agents while he was still in prison.

He added that he has always maintained three fundamental demands, summarized as “Suu Hlut Twe.”

“Suu” stands for the unconditional release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners; “Hlut” stands for the convening of the Hluttaw (the people’s parliament) with representatives elected in the 1990 elections; and “Twe” stands for dialogue between the military government and opposition groups.