U Aung Shwe's speech at the NLD Conference

National League for Democracy
No. 97/b, West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Rangoon
28 April, 2009

Speech of the Chair of the Meeting

Meeting between the members of Central Executive Committee and Representatives from States and Divisions Organizational Committees and Members of Parliament elect

(Unofficial Translation)

1. I am very happy to see representatives from States and Divisions. May all of you be healthy and rich. You will find two political papers in light of very important present political situation. One is related to politics and another one is about constitution. I would like to request you to discuss about these two matters in a serious manner.

2. We can decide for the coming election based on the discussion of these two papers. As you all know, NLD declared that we cannot accept the constitution which was one-sidedly drawn by the authorities and the way they attempted to approve that constitution. We also refused to withdraw our declaration although authorities forced the CEC to do so.

3. However, in order to be pragmatic in politics, we need to wait and see the political party registration law and electoral law to decide whether we could participate in the election under this constitution. Moreover, NLD also called for;
1) Unconditional release of all political prisoners including U Tin Oo, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Khun Tun Oo, Sai Nyunt Lwin, Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi
2) Review of the 2008 constitution formed in the Parliament which is formed according to the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law (Parliament Election Law)
3) Politically substantive initial dialogue between Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
4) Dialogue with all ethnic nationalities groups in the next step

4. We need to observe the result of the above mentioned four points.

5. According to our geographical situation, how ethnic nationalities live across the country, religions, languages and cultural traditions of our country, as you all knows, our country's problems can be solved only if ethnic nationalities participate in the process. Therefore, in the process of dialogue, representatives of ethnic groups have to participate.

6. So let us decide regarding the coming election based on your discussion about what I have said before. I conclude my speech by saying that I understand your feeling but keep in mind our Burmese saying 'if you hurry, you could have delay'.

Rest of your post