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▪-¤-▪

The aims and objectives of The Veteran Politicians on the political

situation in Myanmar

February 1, 2009.

1. We, The Veteran Politicians, has taken part in the various stages of our struggle
and fight for our country’s independence. We rose against the British colonial rule. We
revolted against the fascist Japanese military regime. After Word War (2) Myanmar
finally attained independence. But on the heels of independence the nation was faced
with numerous political problems and difficulties. We were involved in them. The
military took power in 1962. Soon after, political activities ceased and political parties
were banned. The 1988 Revolt was the outrage of the entire mass of people who rose and
demanded the immediate end of one-party dictatorship and, the holding of multi-party
democratic elections. The military regime gave in to these demands and allowed political
parties to function again. Politicians took the opportunity to join parties of their choice.

2. The military regime held the multi-party elections on May 27, 1990. Soon after,
most of the political parties were suppressed and banned. Only two Myanmar parties and
some ethnic nationalities parties were allowed to function.

3. The National League for Democracy (N.L.D) over whelming supported by the
masses won a land-slide victory at the 1990 elections. Before the elections the military
leaders promised that they would hand over power to the winner and that the military
would return to the barracks. However, the promise was never kept. Instead of handing
over power to the N.L.D, the military junta procrastinated over the power deal and gave
all sorts of reasons till this day. Instead, the military regime continued with its
unrestrained suppression of party members, especially those from the N.L.D. It made
summary arrests and handed out extrajudicial judgments sentencing prisoners to very
long prison sentences. Such outrageous acts of cruelty in breaching the rule of law has
caused much grief and anger among Myanmar society.

4. In such a lawless situation, veterans who had taken part in the country’s
struggle for independence gathered together and formed a group under the leadership of
Bohmu Aung, former member of the Thirty Comrades and now deceased. The main
objectives of this group are: national reconciliation, national unity and economic
development of the country. On October 24, 1995 the group requested the military
government to meet with the N.L.D party leaders to find ways and means to solve the
country’s vexing problems. This request was never answered even though such requests
were made as often as opportunity demanded.

5. Our aims and objectives are merely to seek the welfare and development of our
nation and the people. We are neither a political party nor an organized institution. We
stand together in a deep sence of camaraderie and with a profound spirit of nationalism
and patriotism for the common good of people of Myanmar. In the passing years we have
lost many of our comrades there are many who are in poor health.

6. The situation in the country today demands nothing but national reconciliation
and national unity. We firmly believe that a dialogue among the parties most concerned
can achieve such an objective. The United Nations and the international community have
demanded repeatedly for a dialogue. So have the N.L.D party and other ethnic
nationalities parties. The whole nation is clamoring for such an engagement. But the
military government remains unmoved and refuses to engage in a dialogue. Nevertheless,
instead, it has continued with its suppression of the people by unlawful arrests and long-
term imprison.

7. The military always proclaims that its 7-step Road Map is meant to establish a
disciplined democracy. However, the National Convention which drafted the state
constitution was designed and managed by the military junta. The so-called National
Convention was composed of hand-picked nominees of the military instead of elected
representatives. The constitution was evidently designed and tailored by the military to
guarantee the return to full blown, unmitigated military rule, ensuring the privileged
position of the armed forces. The Referendum which was held is evidently a sham
conducted through deceit coercion. The military is holding general elections in 2010
which will approved the constitution.

8. The constitutional drafting process lacks participation of political parties, civil

society organizations and the people in general. The N.L.D party which won a land-slide
victory in the 1990 elections has no part in the National Convention. Elected members of
the ethnic nationalities parties were given no representation; workers’ or farmers’
representatives were denied participation in the drafting process. Thus, the National
Convention lacked the participation of the advocates of democracy and ethnic inclusion.
The constitution produced by the National Convention is now universally perceived to be
a faulty process and is deeply flawed. We honestly and humbly state that such a flawed
constitution is most likely to fail the people. It will not lead to our main objectives of
achieving genuine multi-party democracy we so desire.

9. People who claim to establish democratic state are now going against the basic
principles of democracy by their flagrant abuse of state power. The unfettered power
given to executive authorities, especially to the police force and prison authorities, and
also to the armed forces have led to summary arrests of polical dissidents and activists.
They are summarily tried and sentenced to incredulously long prison sentences extra
judicially, and dispatched to far-flung and remote prisons in the country. Besides, they
are denied the basic rights of political prisoners. They are unable to see their own family
members nor do they receive the medical attention they desperately need in such horrific
prison conditions.

10. The United Nations General Assembly at its various sessions had passed
resolutions on the situation in Myanmar. The U.N Security Council had done the same on
October 11, 2007. The people of Myanmar are in full agreement with these U.N
resolutions. We repeat our request to the United Nations to continue to urge the
government of Myanmar to implement these resolutions.

11. We repeat our request to the United Nations to further urge the government of
Myanmar on the following:
- In establishing a democratic state in Myanmar in the future, the
government of Myanmar should without further delay engage directly in a
dialogue with the National League for Democracy party which won a
land-slide victory in the 1990 general elections and also with the
representatives of ethnic nationalities parties;
- To release unconditionally U Tin U and Daw Aung San Su Kyi
from house arrest; also those political prisoners who are serving long
prison sentences;
- The government of Myanmar itself fairly and freely held the
1990 multi-party elections. But the results of the elections are yet to be
honoured. Instead, the military government is holding another general
elections scheduled for 2010. Such a step is evidently a violation of
democratic principles and traditions. We, therefore, urged that the
proposed elections be postponed.

Veteran Politicians Colleagues.