National League for Democracy

No: (97/b) West Shwegondine Road

Bahan, Rangoon

STATEMENT 130 (12/98)

Contents of letter dated 29 December 1998 from the Chairman of the

National League for Democracy to the Chairman of the State Peace and

Development Council on the subject given in the heading is published and

distributed for information.

BEGIN

" Subject-In the matter of three NLD parliamentarians elect who were

illegally arrested and are in illegal custody at the military base of

Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No: 6 at Teinmyoke, east of Oke-Pho town

in Pegu Division

1. The individuals listed below are respectable and of good

character who were elected by the people in free and fair elections in

accordance with their own wishes to be their representatives in

parliament but are now being held in illegal detention by the military

intelligence authorities. They are:-

(1) U Thar Maung (age 79 years) of Pegu Division, Oke-pho township, No.2

constituency - held in illegal detention since June 1998

(2) U Tin Oo (aged 59 years) of Pegu Division, Oke-Pho township. No.1

constituency- held in illegal detention since June 1998

(3) U San Tin (aged 64 years) of Pegu Division, Zeegon township- held in

illegal detention since July 1998.

2.(a) At first military intelligence took action against all three of

them under Section 5 (1)(f)&(g) of the 1961 Habitual Offenders Act and

their movements were restricted under bond. This law is in no way

applicable to them and is most inappropriate. It reflects the deliberate

animosity of the authorities.

(b) Then, action was taken under Section 5(j) of the 1959 Emergency

Provisions Act against U Thar Maung and U TIn Oo.

(c) Now, they are held in custody at LIB(6), military base which is

east of Oke-pho.

3.(a) It is the responsibility of the military intelligence authorities

who have illegally arrested and are holding these individuals to provide

for their food, health and creature comforts.

(b) The arrest and detention of innocent and respectable individuals

who have not infringed any provisions of law is unjustified and is

tantamount to a crime by the authorities.

(c) Our information is that the authorities have neglected to provide

them with proper food and nourishment resulting in the ill-health of U

TIn Oo who had to be admitted to the hospital on the 15 December 1998.

We hear that his condition is serious and requires the attention of a

specialist and that t the hospital at Oke-pho is not equipped with the

necessary medicines.

4. The illegal arrests of these elderly and eminent parliamentarians

who have not committed any crimes is evidence of the spiteful.

vindictive attitude of the authorities who are out to humiliate and

degrade their opponents. Should the lives of these eminent individuals

be endangered, we will hold the authorities responsible. The crime of

illegal arrest will be compounded if death is caused in so doing.

5. U Thar Maung and U Tin Oo have refused the offer by the authorities

for short visits to their homes. They have the right attitude. All three

of them are sincerely committed to achieving democracy and to fulfil the

desire of the people. They are standing firm and resisting all the

illegal actions, discomforts, abuse and persecutions that the

authorities have showered on them for which we honour and salute them."

(END)

Central Executive Committee

National League for Democracy

31 December 1998