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• Daw Aung San Suu Kyi • Dr.Sein Win • others Printable Version

DVB : Interview with U Lwin, NLD joint secretary

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 6 July 2001

Burma releases seven more MPs, opposition reopens township branches DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] has learned that the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] military government has again released political prisoners - seven elected representatives held at the Guest Houses. They were all released at about 1300 [local time] today [6 July] from Yemon cantonment detention centre and the SPDC spokesman has issued a statement stating that all the remaining NLD [National League for Democracy] elected representatives in Rangoon [Yangon] have returned to their homes. But the NLD joint secretary, U Lwin, told DVB that three NLD elected representatives still remained in detention. The names and constituencies of the seven released NLD elected representatives are

U Thein Nyunt, age 57 years, Thingangyun Township Constituency-1;

U Myint Thein, age 73 years, Thingangyun Township Constituency-2;

U Hla Thein, age 51 years, Tamwe Township Constituency-1,

U Thein Myint, age 51 years, Tamwe Township Constituency-2;

Dr Myo Win, age 47 years, Kawa Township Constituency-1;

U Thein Oo, age 52 years, Oktwin Township Constituency-1; and

U Win Myint, age 50 years, Danubyu Township Constituency-1.

Since the June trip of UN Special Envoy Mr Razali, 35 political detainees have been released. According to latest reports received by DVB, the Sanchaung Township NLD signboard was reinstalled with the office opening this morning. NLD sources told DVB that Kawhmu, Kungyangon, Insein, Hlaingtharyar, and Ahlone Township NLD branches would be reopened in the coming weeks. Taikkyi and Hmawbi branches were reopened in the past weeks while Shwepyitha branch was reopened on 4 July. The other three opened NLD branches were the ones that were left unclosed.

DVB interviewed NLD Joint Secretary U Lwin on the release of NLD elected representatives.DVB first asked him to verify whether all detained NLD elected representatives were released.

[Begin recording] [U Lwin] It is not true. There are three remaining. They are Dr Aung Moe Kyaw in Magwe Division, U Saw Hlaing in Sagaing Division, and U Tin Htut Oo in Mandalay Division.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] How many elected representatives are there in prison excluding those that were detained [at the Guest Houses]?

[U Lwin] There are 37 elected representatives who are currently in jail.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] Now that many have been released most people are saying that the talks have been improving. What is your view?

[U Lwin] The release is one thing and the dialogue is another. They are having talks with their own agenda.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] According to our sources we heard that they agreed at the talks to release the elected representatives first, then the other political prisoners who are sick, and next will be those who are overdue. We heard this is the first step. What can you say?

[U Lwin] I do not know exactly.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] The Sanchaung NLD office was reopened today. What is the situation of the NLD branch offices?

[U Lwin] Well, the branch offices are reopening one after another according to their programmes but how can I answer about the situation. Well we have already reopened four branches.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] What can you say about the NLD elected representatives and the political prisoners that are still in jail? When will they be released?
[U Lwin] I don't know. They are still in jail. We only heard the new from your reports.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] Well news is going around that the talks are progressing. What can you say about the prospect?

[U Lwin] What more can I say when the responsible people are not saying anything.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] As most of the elected representatives have been released from detention what will be the future function of the NLD and the CRPP [Committee Representing People's Parliament].

[U Lwin] They have been recently released so what change can you expect.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] Well what can you comment on the probable release of Aung San Suu Kyi and U Aung Shwe.

[U Lwin] I don't know. [End of recording]