NLD supports Suu Kyi’s proposal to meet Than Shwe

by Salai Pi Pi
Monday, 16 November 2009 21:09

New Delhi (Mizzima) – National League for Democracy leaders on Monday said they agreed with party leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal of direct talks with junta supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe for further discussions on lifting Western sanctions.

Nyan Win, NLD spokesperson, told Mizzima that detained party General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi had sent a second letter to Than Shwe proposing a meeting with him as a follow up of their efforts to ease sanctions.

“I prepared the letter based on what she told me and sent it to Naypyidaw [Burma’s new capital] on November 11,” said Nyan Win.

Khin Maung Swe, a member of NLD’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) told Mizzima that seven CEC members on Monday held a meeting at the party headquarters and discussed Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal.

“We agreed with the proposal for it will benefit the nation, and we will release a statement on Tuesday,” Khin Maung Swe said.

In Aung San Suu Kyi’s a letter, the Nobel Peace Laureate thanked Snr Gen. Than Shwe for conceding her request to meet US senior officials and for making necessary arrangements for fact-finding on the impact of sanctions, Khin Maung Swe said.

In September, the detained Burmese pro-democracy leader sent a proposal to Than Shwe offering to cooperate with the regime to help ease western sanctions, and requested a meeting with diplomats from the US, European Union and Australia as part of her fact-finding on sanctions.

Following her proposal, the military regime allowed the Burmese democracy icon a meeting with its Liaison Minister Aung Kyi, and also allowed US, EU and Australian diplomats to meet her.

Nyan Win, told Mizzima that Aung San Suu Kyi has been into fact-finding on sanctions and has now made the second proposal.

Her proposal is to meet Than Shwe directly and to discuss issues related to sanctions. However, the NLD did not mention why Aung San Suu Kyi felt it was necessary to meet Than Shwe directly, rather than Aung Kyi, who was appointed by Than Shwe to be his go-between.

The pro-democracy leader’s first proposal in September was timed with the US’s announcement of its new policy on Burma, which included engaging the regime directly while maintaining sanctions.

As part of the US’s new policy, Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell led delegation visited Burma in early November and met several junta officials and also Aung San Suu Kyi.

Khin Maung Swe said Aung San Suu Kyi, in her second proposal, expressed her expectations that she will be able to work with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), on activities that benefit the nation.

“She also requested Than Shwe to allow her to see and pay her respects to the NLD Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin and member U Lun Thin at their residence, as they are aging and are ill.”

Besides, Aung San Suu Kyi also requested to be allowed to meet the NLD CEC including detained Vice-chairman Tin Oo.

“She said, after the NLD CEC meeting, she will be able to work with Than Shwe on activities that will benefit the nation,” Khin Maung Swe said quoting the content of Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal.


Editing by Mungpi