Oct 15, 2007 (DVB), The National League for Democracy has welcomed the presidential statement on Burma adopted by the United Nations Security Council, while the military regime has deemed it "regrettable".
In the non-binding presidential statement issued on 11 October, the Security Council "strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar" and "emphasizes the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees".
In a special announcement, the NLD welcomed the Security Council's call for dialogue and urged the ruling State Peace and Development Council to begin talks as soon as possible.
The announcement thanked the Security Council members for agreeing on the statement and called on the Burmese authorities to comply urgently with its terms.
"[I]t is imperative that the authorities fulfil their responsibilities and implement the conditions set out in the Presidential Statement for the sake of national reconciliation," said the announcement.
The Burmese government has also responded to the presidential statement, with an announcement in the state media on 12 October.
The statement called it "regrettable" that the presidential statement had been adopted, particularly given "the fact that the situation in Myanmar does not represent a threat to the regional and international peace and security".
The regime stressed its aim to maintain friendly relations with other countries and said it wanted close cooperation with the United Nations.
The statement also emphasised the regime's ongoing commitment to implementing its Seven-Step Road Map to peace and development, of which the first stage, the National Convention, has been completed.
The government claimed strong public support for the current programme of reform.
"The entire population, including the various nationalities, had been overwhelmingly expressing their strong support for the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles to be enshrined in the new State Constitution," said the statement.
Reporting by DVB
