Oct 30, 2008 (DVB), Meikhtila National League for Democracy has praised the efforts of senior NLD member Win Tin to reconcile youth members with the NLD leadership.

More than 100 NLD youth members resigned from the party earlier this month in protest at reforms to the youth wing which were imposed by party chairman Aung Shwe without consultation.

Meikhtila NLD secretary Htun Htun said the branch had passed a motion of support for Win Tin at their monthly meeting on 28 October and called for unity within the party.

"Last week there seemed to be some tension between the central executive committee and youth members," Htun Htun said.

"We didn't receive any explanation but we heard from the media that the U Win Tin had intervened to try to solve this problem, that's why we decided to offer support for his role as negotiator," he went on.

"This is the right move. The reason we made this decision is that this is a time when we should all unite to achieve our goal of democracy."

Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew