Reactions on Road Map by NLD MPs

DVB (August 18,2003)

Thailand has discussed the road map plan with leaders of USA, EU, Japan, ASEAN and the foreign minister of the SPDC and the UN special envoy, Mr. Razali Ismail.

Mr. Razali, himself, accepted the plan and said that he would persuade the SPDC to accept the plan. It is believed that the project could be started and implemented soon.

To find out how NLD responses to the plan, DVB have interviewed some leaders.

DVB has asked Dr. Aung Moe Nyo, the NLD MP of Pwintbyu Township, Magwe Division, his opinion on the plan.

Dr. Aung Moe Nyo : We have learnt that the SPDC is acting coolly about the road map. I guess that the plan heads to democracy. If the plan will include Daw Aung San SUU Kyi, U Tin Oo, U Aung Shwe, the ethnic leaders like U Khun Tun Oo, the ASEAN, EU, Security Council and UN organisations and neighbouring countries such as China and Japan and implement it together, it would be true to say that the plan would lead to democracy. Then we have the reason to accept it. Because the plan is heading towards democracy, I think that is why the SPDC is acting coolly. If we are to solve the affairs of Burma within Burma as proposed by the SPDC, the MPs of Burma will still be killed by guns as usual and it won’t be easy. The participation of the international community is necessary.

Dr. Thein Lwin, a MP from Meikhtila Township expressed his scepticism and his wish.

Dr. Thein Lwin : We don’t know the details of the road map. If it is done with honesty, we do welcome it. It is better than nothing. We want to have the dialogue and we are demanding it. If they can’t talk to us in bi or tri dialogues, we want to talk to them by any means…It would be if the neighbours and the international communities join us, it would be better. It is quite strange that the plan is proposed by Thailand. What we want is - a plan initiated by the UN or the USA and no people would doubt it…we do have doubt about Thailand’s motive. The people here are worried that it might be the delaying tactic. It has been 13 years since the elections. They have been delaying like this. People are suspicious that Thai might be helping the SPDC to drag their feet.

A NLD member from Mandalay who doesn’t want to be names said that he can’t accept the road map and the best method is the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

An NLD member from Mandalay : We don’t believe a bit of the road map. Its contents are written by the military government here and asked Thai to claim it as their own. That’s what we think. Win Aung (the Foreign Minister) is making the best out of it. They are acting as if they are under pressure. Thailand is never good on the people of Burma. It has always been protecting the military government and sucking the blood off Burma. It is a very damaging section for both of the countries. Another thing I want to talk about is the UN. It has never said anything about the implementation of the 1990 election. If they could depose un-elected people like the Shah, Marcos and Noriega, we do have the desire for the UN to quickly and rightfully set up the policy to clear away a military government that has been holding on power in Burma for almost 14 years. The best method would be to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to reopen all the NLD offices. That would be the best.