Veteran politicians held emergency meeting

DVB (2003 July 16)

It is reported that veteran Burmese politicians held a meeting to discuss the current political difficulties of Burma after the Dipeyin (Tabayin) incident. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD leaders haven’t been released, and NLD members throughout the country are continuously being arrested, and veteran politicians are voicing their concerns on the current political situation.
Moreover, the veteran politicians have called the meeting because of the fear that the people of Burma could suffer more under the economic sanctions of the US and EU governments. During today’s meeting, it was decided that finding solutions to current difficulties through dialogue is the best way forward, said Thakhin Thein Pe as follows:

Thakhin Thein Pe : What we discussed today was – it is clear that Burma is in a situation where it is being rejected by the international community. The US and UK have rejected Burma. Only Asia and China are remaining. There are no other ways to make the situation better rather than having Burmese meet and discuss with Burmese. Let’s meet and rebuild the unity. That is what we decided in the meeting. At the moment, there seems to be no prospect for the dialogue. The Burmese people are known in the world today as bad people. To same people have to make them good again. Burmese people should be agreeable to each other and be united. Only then would the world start to see us as human beings, that’s what we believe.

The veteran politicians also held a meeting on the 14th of June after the Dipeyin incident and sent a letter with nine points to the SPDC chairman General Than Shwe. It demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD members, to reopen all the NLD offices and to solve the current difficulties by means of dialogue.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Jul 03