EU diplomats meet NLD leaders

by Mungpi
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:49

New Delhi (Mizzima) - A delegation of European Union diplomats on Wednesday met leaders of Burma’s opposition party – the National League for Democracy – wanting to know its stand on the ruling junta’s planned 2010 elections.

Khin Maung Swe, a central executive committee member of the NLD said, the delegation, comprising 20 diplomats, visited the NLD office in West Shwegondine Street and asked how the NLD views Aung San Suu Kyi’s cooperation to help ease sanctions, and whether the NLD is seeking power-sharing with the junta in making a demand to revise the 2008 constitution.

“Our reply is that we are not seeking for power-sharing, but are demanding a revision of the 2008 constitution, so the political process can be broad based and inclusive,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima

“We are not demanding power, we are asking the government to ensure that the constitution guarantees the people their rights,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima.

The diplomats, from Bangkok’s Swedish Embassy, Rangoon’s British, Italy, German and French embassies, according to Khin Maung Swe, were mainly visiting the office to seek information that may help shape the European Union’s common position on Burma.

EU, like the United States, has maintained sanctions against Burma’s ruling junta and in April extended its sanctions for another year.

“We believe that the visit was part of the EU’s effort to find useful information in helping Burma to achieve democracy,” the NLD leader said.

The EU delegation’s visit came days after the visit by diplomats of US, UK and Australia to the NLD office. On Friday, US, UK and Australian diplomats met detained party leader Aung San SUu Kyi and also met the NLD CEC.

Welcoming the EU delegation’s visit Khin Maung Swe said, “We are glad that the EU and the international community are taking interest in the Burma issue. We would like to urge all to take further action for Burma to achieve democracy.”