NLD Reiterates Call for Dialogue

By WAI MOE

Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has reiterated its calls for unconditional dialogue between its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, according to an NLD statement on Tuesday.

Thein Nyunt, a spokesman for the NLD, said that the party issued the “special statement” with two objectives: to express its support for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s proposal for a meaningful dialogue between the ruling junta and Suu Kyi; and in response to the junta’s claims that the Nobel Prize winner had refused to meet junta envoy Aung Kyi, the party wanted to reiterate that it is ready for dialogue and does not request any preconditions for holding talks.

“We can begin dialogue with the regime without preconditions and start to resolve the problems in our country,” he said. “If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the head of the regime, Snr-Gen Than Shwe—who are the decision-makers for both parties—meet face to face, that would be great. We will not ask for any preconditions.”

He also said the NLD would like the UN secretary-general to visit Burma again, and that Ban should act as mediator between the Burmese junta and the opposition.

However, the NLD statement conflicts with the official version of events. During UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari’s visit to the country at the end of January, Burmese Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said, “After your [Gambari’s] previous visit, we twice proposed dialogue between Relations Minister Aung Kyi and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but she did not accept.

“Regarding the dialogue between the government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, our side is always holding the door open for dialogue,” he said.

Thein Nyunt said that Suu Kyi had not rejected meeting with Aung Kyi, but that her health was suffering at the time. He added that the NLD welcomed the junta’s statement that the generals are “holding the door open for dialogue.”

The NLD also responded to the government’s statement that “... confrontation, utter devastation and sanctions are not good for the nation and the people.”

It said that Suu Kyi had told Aung Kyi she was ready to cooperate with the military government, and that she was prepared to release a co-statement between the NLD and the regime on whatever terms were agreed.