Nov 15, 2007 (DVB), An alliance of ethnic political parties has issued a statement welcoming detained National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's willingness to cooperate with the junta in constructive dialogue.
The United Nationalities Alliance, an umbrella group made up of 12 ethnic political groups, said in their statement, dated 10 November, that they were very pleased to hear of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's commitment to "pursue the path of dialogue constructively".
"We, the ethnic political parties, which are committed to the cause of promoting democracy and national reconciliation, full enjoyment of human rights for all citizens, peace and unity among the people of all nationalities, and dialogue between the Government, forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of the ethnic nationalities to find a solution, issue this statement to wholeheartedly welcome her statement," said the statement.
The statement was signed by all the ethnic parties represented in the UNA: the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, the Mon National Democratic Front, the Zomi National Congress, the Arakan League for Democracy, the Chin National League for Democracy, the Karen National Congress for Democracy, the Kachin State National Congress for Democracy, the Kayah State All Nationalities League for Democracy, the Democratic Organization for Kayan National Unity, the Mara People’s Party, the Shan State Kokang Democratic Party and the Arakan People’s Democratic Front.
In her statement, which was read by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari on 8 November, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stressed the importance of taking the views of ethnic political groups into account in any negotiations with the regime.
The state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar has tried to counter this support for the NLD leader by publishing five statements today from "political parties and national race armed groups that have returned to the legal fold" objecting to the suggestion that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would represent them in talks.
Reporting by DVB
