National League for Democracy

97/b West Shwegondine Road

Bahan, Rangoon

Statement 5(1/99)

1. Contents of the letter dated 5 January 1999 from the Chairman of the

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

Development Council under the heading " Illegal and oppressive measures

taken by township authorities against the NLD and the people " are

reproduced below for all to know:-

(Start)

" Illegal and oppressive measures taken by authorities are as follows:-

1. Mandalay Division, Kyaukpadaung township

(a) It is reported that in addition to the regularly collected water tax

from 12 wards in the Kyaukpadaung township, a sum of Kyats three

thousand is being demanded for every water hydrant. The people do not

know why this is being done. Despite payments of the tax, there is no

water supply.

(b) In Kyaulpadaung township, every household has had to pay Kyats one

hundred for the Miss Beauty contest and Kyats one hundred for military

training at the 78th Infantry Battalion. This military training is

compulsory for four USDA members from every ward.

(c) Because of the drought, agricultural production has suffered.

(d) Owners of toddy palm gardens have to pay five kyats for every tree,

notwithstanding immaturity, or lack of yield and payment must be made to

the Agricultural Bank by the cultivators by the 21/22 January 1999.

(e) Members of the National League for Democracy are still being

illegally arrested, persecuted, tortured, threatened, abused and

pressured to resign from the party especially the elderly members.

Signboards, seals and other properties belonging to the NLD have been

illegally and forcefully removed and dispatched to offices of the

authorities.

2. Mandalay Division, Meiktila township. Illegal measures taken against

the NLD members.

(a) On 21 December 1998, the NLD Meiktila township organising committee

objected in writing to the Chairman of the Township Election Commission

about the illegal arrests of its members by the authorities in violation

of the regulations and provisions of the Political Parties Registration

Law. The said law does not stipulate that resignation is effective when

sent by post under the pressure and threat of township authorities.

(b) Because of such legitimate objection, NLD township organisers U Ye

Naung, U Than Maung, U Aung Moe, U Kyaw Htwe Oo, U Aung Htein

(Joint-Secretary ) and U Joseph were arrested and imprisoned on

26-12-1998 by Ko Myint Toe and three others of Military Intelligence

Unit 15.

(c) U Than Maung's family was denied permission to take some warm

clothing and provisions for him, demonstrating such lack of fellow

feeling.

3. Sagaing Division, Monwya township-

U Kyaw Shin, Deputy Chairman of NLD divisional organising committee was

illegally arrested since 6 September 1998. At night (21:30 hours) on the

15 December 1998, Captain Htay Win of the MIS fetched and took him to

the hospital where his wife was in a state of semi-coma. She died on the

morning (3:00) of the 16th. The attitude and behaviour of the

authorities in this matter demonstrates complete lack of fellow feeling

and sympathetic awareness of others.

4. The National League of Democracy not only denounce the above

disclosed activities of the authorities but demands that all its members

who have not offended any law but are now being held illegally be

released forthwith and unconditionally." (End)

2. Further to the information given in paragraph 2(b) above, we announce

that more arrests have been made on 28-12-1998 of Meiktila township

organising committee members by the MIS unit 15. The individuals

arrested are U Thein Aung (Vice Chairman), U Htun Shwe, U San Htoon, U

Thoung Shein, U Maung Maung, U Sein Ywet and Daw Tin Tin Htwe.

Central Executive Committee

National League for Democracy

11 January 1999