The aims and objectives of The Veteran Politicians on the political

situation in Myanmar

February 1, 2009.

1. We, The Veteran Politicians, have 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 World War II, 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) overwhelmingly 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 have 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 sense 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 approve 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 political 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 not able 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