NLD Press Statements National League for Democracy Burma Fund WebIndex |
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 The National League for DemocracyNO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road March 29, 1999 (3/99)
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NLD: Regime's actions related to Michael Aris' illness "void of
sincerity and honesty" 1. During his illness, Dr. Michael Aris, beloved husband of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy had applied to the Burmese Embassy in London for entry visa to see his wife. His wife also sent the required letters of recommendation. 2. The General Secretary, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also addressed a written request to the Chairman of the SPDC to enable her husband to visit her in Rangoon. 3. In response to the request, on 26 March 1999, at about 11:00 a.m, one colonel from the Military Intelligence went to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence and said, " If you go to London to see your husband we will give you any assistance you need." Her reply was "I am not going." Since there was no other business to discuss and the General Secretary was weary and exhausted she left to take a rest in her private room. 4. Our information is that prior to this meeting between the said Colonel and the General Secretary, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Military Intelligence had scheduled a meeting with ambassadors and military attaches to take place at 13:00 hours. The reason behind this prearranged meeting gives rise to much speculation. Information that has been released about what was said at this meeting are totally untrue. 5. In paragraph 2 of the news released by the authorities on 28 March 1999 (after the death of Dr. Michael Aris and at a time when the General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was bereaving the loss) the claim is that they are assisting in the preparations for the ceremonies according to Buddhist rites to be held in Rangoon. 6. However, the authorities photographed and video recorded the movements of visitors who went to express their sympathy and offer condolences and they insisted and demanded that names and address be entered in registers at three locations (on entry and departure). This is by no means "assistance" and contradicts the Burmese Buddhist concept of behaviour in matters of sickness and death. 7. Included in the news released by the authorities is the claim that necessary assistance would be given should the General Secretary desire to travel to England to attend the funeral of her late husband. But that offer was conditional to her confining her activities to domestic affairs only and all political activity was prohibited. 8. To place this kind of prohibition on a world renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate is insufferable and totally unacceptable. 9. These news releases in the face of the General Secretary's categorical statement that she would not go is without meaning and inappropriate. The news releases are void of sincerity and honesty. Central Executive Committee |