Interview with U Thein Nyunt, the MP of No.1, Thingangyun Township Constituency, Rangoon

DVB ( July 19,2003 )

U Thein Nyunt [59] was a student union leader and a lawyer. He is one of the NLD MPs who boycotted the SPDC’s National Convention.

U Thein Nyunt : The act of beating up people with number is a grievous act of violence. One side said that 4 people were killed and the other side said that 70 people were killed.

The matter of 5,000 people beating up 100 people should be enquired by an independent commission which is able, lawful, independent and accepted by the people of Burma as soon as possible. It is quite late now.

Delays are the most unsuitable things in the efforts to find justice and truth. It should be set up inside Burma. Outside the country, the matter is being initiated from what I heave heard from foreign news agency. We have been constantly listening to the news.

DVB : Haven’t you seen anything done inside Burma in response to the demands?

U Thein Nyunt : I haven’t seen any sign from reading newspapers here…I haven’t seen any step to form an enquiring commission here.

DVB : What are the latest situations in your township?

U Thein Nyunt : They have not only closed our office here…one comrade told me at the court that a police came to guard our office. Since they closed the offices, I haven’t been to the office as there is no meeting there. Since the NLD was form we have been doing things with our people. As long as the people behind us, we could do politics. In my view, our current political situation is not the office politics. We mix with people and find out people’s view and let the people know of our views. That is important.

DVB : Are they restricting your movements?

U Thein Nyunt : We are the MPs who are treated according to the weather condition. [Giggles] That is our life. When I went to the court today, I met a friend of mine. He was very happy to see me. Why? I asked him. He said that our lives are so fleeting: we see each other in the morning and at night we could be gone.

DVB : …Could you tell us your views for the future?

U Thein Nyunt : My view is clear. My views are the same as those in our statement on the 13th anniversary of the election. We have the duty to solve the problems of the nation. To do that we need to invite all the MPs who were elected by the people and form a people’s parliament as soon as possible. In order to dutifully and responsibly solve the dangers of economic blockades, dangers from within and without, and all the fears for the future of the nation, the current government who called the election should respect its own election and convene a parliament in accordance with the law. Only then could be solve the problems of the nations…I believe that the only escaping route for Burma is to convene a people’s parliament.