Date : 2003-10-14
SUMMARY
Road Map Of United Nationalities League For Democracy
&
Current Political Situation.
1. INVESTIGATION OF THE TABAYIN EPISODE.
The United Nations should investigate the event of 30 May 2003
at Tabayin.After such an investigation, a Truth Commission (similar
to that in SouthAfrica) should be formed so that the process of
forgiveness andreconciliation can commence. To pretend that nothing
happened would onlyserve to build-up suspicion in both camps.
2. THE POLITICAL ROAD MAP PROPOSED BY THE STATE PEACE
AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (SPDC) SHOULD BE SUSPENDED.
The political road map announced by the Prime Minister General
Khin Nyunt on
the 30 August 2003 will not lead to democracy. It will not reduce
suspicion and hatred. It does not respect the wishes of the people
as expressed in the1990 free and fair multi-party general elections
organized by the State Lawand Order Restoration Council's (SLORC).
It should not be implemented.
3. IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF POLITICAL
PRISONERS WHO WERE INCARCERATED SINCE 1988.
Freedom to participate in political activities is the birthright
of everycitizen of every country. It is undemocratic to consider
as an enemy someoneor a party, which does not have the same views
as yourself, or your party,and to imprison them and to debar or
disqualify that political party.Therefore, the release of all political
prisoners who have been incarcerated since 1988 will help in solving
the current political turmoil.
4. THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY AND THE SPDC
SHOULD MEET AND EXCHANGE VIEWS.
The NLD political party, which won the majority of seats in the
1990 election, is duly registered and recognized by the Election
Commission. The SPDC is a military government that appropriated
authority to restore law and order in 1988. Both have the responsibility
to unravel the political mess that exists today. They should meet,
not shrouded in secrecy, but with an openness for the whole world
to witness.
5. THE BASIC DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS SHOULD BE RESTORED.
The SPDC, which governs the country today, is laying the foundation
for democracy. They have made a worldwide declaration that a new
democratic state will be established. Therefore, every restrictive
order or action must be abolished and all citizens must be permitted
to exercise the basic democratic rights, which are freedom of thought,
freedom of expression, freedom to publish and freedom to participate
in politics within the bounds of the democratic system. This should
be implemented within three months from commencement of dialogue
between the NLD and the SPDC. Those who believe that the military
has a part to play in the nation's political future should resign
from the military and establish a political party. Civil servants
who have the desire to be politicians should do likewise.
6. THE RESULTS OF THE 1990 GENERAL ELECTIONS SHOULD
BE RECOGNIZED AND USED AS A BASIS FOR A TRANSITION.
The NLD and the SPDC should in consultation and negotiation decide
the date on which state power is to be transferred. Prior to a formal
transfer, an interim coalition government should be first set up.
This interim government or authority should comprise the Committee
Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP) and the military government's
representatives and it should be completed within three months.
7. AN AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED TO CONVENE A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Should agreement be reached for the convening of a National Convention,
it must be based upon the outcome of the 1990 elections. The elected
representatives of the people must be the basic members of the National
Convention. Special elections should be conducted to fill vacant
positions in the various electorates. All delegates must act in
accordance with the rules and procedures adopted in the National
Convention. For the purpose of a wider understanding and in depth
discussion, suitable delegates to the convention may be appointed
by the interim government/authority. But the number of such appointees
shall not exceed the number of the people's elected representatives.
8. AN INTERIM COALITION GOVERNMENT.
The Interim Coalition Government should act as a supervisory body
to the
National Convention and formulate the basic guidelines and requirements.
The
NC should be started afresh and not as a continuation of the defunct
convention. The National Convention should draw up the basic principles
that must be written into the Constitution within 6 months of its
formation and the Interim Government should give a time frame for
presenting the same to the Parliament. Only the Interim Government
should have the authority to extend the time by three months if
necessary.
9. THE 1993 NATIONAL CONVENTION
All operations by the National Convention between the years 1993
to 1996 should be wiped off the slate. The National Convention being
proposed should be regarded as new and to start with new procedural
rules, which are to be
negotiated and formulated.
10. THE NEW DRAFT CONSTITUTION
Based on the draft constitution prepared by the National Convention,
the
Parliament must within 6 months complete and confirm the new Constitution.
11. NEW ELECTIONS
Within 6 months of the Parliament confirming the new constitution,
a general
election should be held with international supervision.
12. A NEW PARLIAMENT
Within 6 months of the elections, a Parliament must be convened.
The Parliament will be responsible for forming the new government,
transferring of state power, and all other matters relating to the
state.
We, the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD) believe
that the above Road Map can be acceptable to all.
End
Summarized and distributed by the
EURO-BURMA OFFICE
Square Gutenberg 11-2, Brussels 1000, Belgium
Telephone: 00 32 2 280-0691, Fax: 00 32 2 280-0310
Email: burma@euro-burma.be
|