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ADDRESS BY DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI, NLD GENERAL SECRETARY, ON 27 MAY 2000 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS. I first wish to thank you people in the audience who have come here despite the obstacles we usually face on occasions like this. At the beginning of this year I felt that the SPDC had mellowed slightly because on Independence Day, Union Day and Resistance Day everything went smoothly. But on this occasion they have reverted to their true colors but this audience have also shown their true colors for which I am truly happy and honored. I want to talk about the significance of this the 10th anniversary of the 1990 elections. At the time of the elections I was under house arrest and could not participate as a candidate or as an organizer. But I was allowed to cast my vote even though I was under house arrest. According to our party's decision I voted for the candidate who was not from our party as the authorities had rejected my candidacy. In 1990, not only our party, all the other political parties were striving for restoration of democracy. This fact can not be forgotten. It is so important for our country. By our enthusiastic activities at that time we captured the attention of the world and this is why they know now our desire for democracy. Some people want to know what has been gained in these ten years. Some have left off half way. There are others who have deserted the cause. Death has taken some away from us. Some have left for foreign lands. So many of our members have suffered so much. But this is not strange. Every struggle, every battle has its casualties. But have we suffered only losses? No there is much we have gained. Our organization has become more closely knit and a hard core. The fact that we have been able to withstand the pressures and persecutions is an advantage. Moreover the fact that we have truly been able to work closely and have a better understanding with other democratic parties especially the ethnic nationalities means growth. Four national parties joined hands and formed the CRPP in 1998. We found that commencing from that date our understanding of each other grew. We have produced a book for this occasion and hope that all will support us and read that book. It is not just us that see it this way. The other national groups also bear testimony to this in that book. Trust and respect for each other has matured. This is a really a significant factor for our Union. Since our country is composed of so many national groups it is so important for stability and durability that genuine equality is established. In two important areas we have really progressed and those are, a better understanding between the national groups and the international community's greater awareness of our struggle for democracy. This awareness has come about in a very short period of time and by more and more nations. They have heard, they have begun to understand, the desire to support us is growing. But as we have always stressed it remains with the people of this country to strive and work out their own destiny. It is for the people who want democracy to work for it. So it boils down to us, the National League for Democracy. I do not want to recount the hardships that we have all had. I do not want us to feel that we have to bear all the suffering. I do not want to make an issue of who had to suffer for what. Every one of us is acting out of our own free will and our convictions. There are many others who have their own reasons and with other motivations like money, position and power. As for us in the NLD we are working because we want democracy and freedom for our country so that its citizens can freely choose their destiny. Because this is by choice and is voluntary there is personal satisfaction and no one needs any special recognition. We are fully convinced that victory will come but cannot say when. We need to have the strength to endure two kinds of stress. The stress of poverty and the stress of wealth. We have gone through the first kind of stress and no one can say when we will have to endure the second kind. It could be very soon. It will then be necessary for us to have the fortitude to withstand that stress. If we cannot withstand that stress all our labor would have been in vain. It will be like pouring water on sand. We have many examples of people who after being able to go through poverty have been brought down by riches. Our NLD members need to observe three political precepts. First - loyalty to one's firm beliefs and conviction. Second - loyalty to one's comrades and fellow workers. Third - generosity to the enemies. I believe these precepts ardently. Steadfastly observing the above will be rewarding in that you will reach your goal and when that happens you will realize the hopes and desires you had. Sometimes it happens that you reach the goal but you are disillusioned because the prospects are not what you expected. To avoid this we need to keep observing the precepts stated above. Never give up on your beliefs and your comrades and always be large hearted towards the enemy. Some people may think and say "Didn't we tell you how fickle the masses are?" We must remember that we are part of the masses. If we do not renege on our beliefs and our comrades we will not be disloyal to our country. Ten years have gone by since the great democracy movement began, ten years since the elections. You people in the audience today must be deemed to be mature politicians and I would like you to act like mature individuals not like old grandmothers and grandfathers. The grandmothers and grandfathers in our midst are active and young. From day to day we will get closer to the goal we want to reach We have been active for 22 years, so we are closer to our goal by 22 years. Some ask "Haven't we achieved it as yet?" I say to you that 22 years of our struggle have passed so the period of our struggle has been reduced by 22 years. Let us not give up the fight. Persist, Press on and Persevere. This is the message I have for you today .ON THE OCCASION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1990 MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRATIC GENERAL ELECTIONS. COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT Statement No 14 (5/00) Note - Review the CRPP Statement 33 (5/99) The multiparty democratic elections were held on the 27 May 1990 and today is the 27 May of the year 2000. Exactly ten years have gone by since those elections were held under the Multiparty Elections Law. The significant provision of that law is that a Pyithu Hluttaw must be formed comprising the legally elected representatives. The fundamental factor for the birth of multiparty democracy is the existence of a Pyithu Hluttaw. Though ten years have passed, the military dictators with no integrity have failed to convene a Pyithu Hluttaw that is an integral part of the law which they themselves proclaimed. How despicable, how loathsome this precedent in our history and for the future generation! Ten years is not a short period. Young children will have grown up, attained knowledge, education, and understanding to a certain degree in this period of time. They will have learnt to differentiate between right and wrong and the consequences of dishonoring one's promises. In the ten years that have passed, two or more parliaments could have been in session. During that period legally elected representative of the people and the national ethnic groups could have worked together and achieved a measure of national unity. The ardent desire of the people (a democratic system) would have taken root, a measure of prosperity accompanied by better education, health and social standards would have been achieved. The military dictatorship system imposed on the people since 1962 with its constraints and restraints will never be expunged until the results of the elections is honored and the Pyithu Hluttaw which the people elected is put in place to work for the people, to fulfill the wishes of the people and a democratic system is restored. But this Pyithu Hluttaw has not materialised. Rust corrodes iron and power corrupts people. The military dictators have no desire to create a democratic country which will generate wealth, health and growth for all the people of the country because they are either so void of good will or are completely engulfed in evil. They have reneged and broken the Multiparty Democratic Election Law which they decreed and refuse to convene the Pyithu Hluttaw. Consequently political, economic, health, education and social problems are growing larger, deeper and more confusing day by day. On the subject of elections, the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law was promulgated. From the 18 September 1988 (the date on which state power was illegally usurped) continuously to this day the military dictators have clung to power. For the purpose of examining what was said and what is being done we first reproduce the words of the military junta's most powerful man, Secretary 1 (Lt. Gen. Kyin Nyunt) on the 11 September 1990 " ... We have demonstrated our desire to transfer power by successfully holding free and fair multiparty democratic elections as scheduled. If we did not desire to transfer power there would have been no need to hold these elections. This is clear xxx'' '' ...... If our desire was to grasp power in our hands till we die (meaning forever) there is no reason whatsoever for us to endeavor so earnestly like this. From the very beginning our intention was to transfer power so we made it possible for the elections to take place. ...." These are the facts that followed: 1. Failure to convene parliament as required by the Pyithu Hluttaw Elections Law. 2. In contravention of the Election Law, Order 1/90 was issued. Through coercion and intimidation signatures of the political parties were obtained. But the provisions of the said order were not fully complied with. 3. Instead of convening parliament, a national convention was put in place to define the principles that should be embodied in a constitution. This convention remains unfinished. The said National Convention's basic principle which emphasis that "the army is responsible for leading the nation" is directly opposite that of democracy and shatters the idea of "multiparty system of democracy". 4. Tasks that must be performed for the benefit of the country (including the drawing up of the constitution) is the responsibility of the representatives of the people working together as a body in the Pyithu Hluttaw or delegated by them to a group of experts on the subject. 5. Though this country is a member of the United Nations, there is no regard or compliance with the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Human Rights Commission, International Labour Organisation. This country behaves as if it is outside the family of nations. 6. The people's genuine desire for democracy is scorned and disregarded. 7. After years of military tyranny where the ugly rule of the gun without regard to law prevailed, a beam of light was released when the elections were held. However that light is eclipsed and overshadowed now by increasing persecution and injustices. 8. The administrators of the country have shamefully reneged on their promises and the pages of our history are blemished and ugly. The military dictators have a duty to conduct themselves with dignity and honor to the people and convene parliament. But what have they done. They have vilified and persecuted the people's trusted representatives, illegally thrown them into prisons, deceitfully incarcerated them and resorted to all manner of disgraceful, low and mean tactics to suppress them. To redeem themselves and regain some dignity the military dictators should observe the provisions of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election law, abide by their promises and put in place a Parliament. We urge them with great feeling and force to take this step now. The 1990 elections came about because there was no other way out but to listen to the cry and great demand of the people for democracy. This is the reason why a parliament must be put in place to satisfy the people's demand. No Pyithu Hluttaw means denying the people of their one desire. The longer this desire is denied, the greater will the desire grow and consequences can be formidable. Thousands of monks, laymen, students and the masses individually took responsibility and made sacrifices for the 1990 elections to eventuate. The result of that election will never be forfeited. No new election will be accepted. This is our solemn declaration. Committee representing People's Parliament - 27 May 2000
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