NLD calls for parliament to be convened

The National League for Democracy, Burma's main opposition political party urged the military junta yet again to convene Parliament to solve the political dilemma the country is facing.

The statement issued by the NLD said the country is facing a national crisis in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis. And it needs to be tackled at the earliest.

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War Crafts Also Must Be Ready

So the referendum has given result that the junta won by 92% Yes votes. This clearly outnumbers the NLD 90 election result that was never implemented. Let it be! As the referendum has come true with the result predicted, now the junta should have time, energy, and all resources to manage the cyclone crises. Yes, it should have.

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Less Self-centredness, More Humanity

Min Khin Kyaw

As we’ve seen how the junta is desperate to win and will win by cheating, we can predict how it will declare how it wins with decisive majority support. Yet, we are right that we encouraged the people to go and vote; we can clearly see the ways the junta cheats as result. Also we will get stories from the people who have voted the way the junta forced them to; these voters are now indeed eyewitnesses and of course, they‘ve seen all voting places. All we have to do is to collect stories from all over Burma (the way the NLD is doing). Whence the effects of cyclone Nargis have been emerging, the way the junta’s contempt on our people has its own story to say the international communities.

Certainly we’d like to see the aids workers to be able to reach all the needy people. As the junta has blocked their entry and laughing at their generosity, we’d also like to see the supply planes to fly in to airdrop the supplies. However, whoever who tries to seek the supplies could be accused as unpatriotic and for worse they can be mistreated. We know the way how Burmese volunteers and social workers were forced to give up their good intentions. Now we have to content with the way the junta handling the crises. And we have to accept as long as the junta accepts the supplies and the way it delivers them.

Certainly we’d like to see only the supplies to flow in. Any cash donations certainly will not reach the needy ones.Hopefully, the UN would find solution and reach to a condition to deal with our country - for peace sake. But if the UN members from free world be soft at the obstacles, we Burmese would have to wait through more torturing of a few selfish countries who are supporting the junta their independent silly puppet tied up with its own greed that it’s unable to see humans as humans and Burmese as Burmese. Yet the world must push the junta to accept the aids workers eventually - especially the medical workers and construction technicians who understand sewage environment; they also have to mobilise both affected and non-affected communities - of course, that‘s clearly apolitical. Sadly an earthquake occurred in China and we’ve seen how the Chinese are dealing with it - In comparison with the Burma’s junta. The junta might argue it’s just a small earthquake. Here, we have to ask China’s government why they had to block France’s attempt to deal with Burma’s junta.

We have to ask China that why it doesn’t like to see Burma’s junta to activate help for the people the way China does - not just for photo opportunities and media sake for MRTV. As we all know the junta will declare a winning result for its self-profiting referendum, it can stop its efforts on it and just take a win, and concentrate on rescuing the cyclone affected survivors. We should ask the junta to ask the regional countries for help whilst accepting other international communities who are trying to do so. We must see the junta’s sympathy to our people as much as it has shown its pride. Rather less pride but more humanity.

Now what will Burmese people do? Let’s forget 100,00 people who died. We must put all energy on the survivors, rescue and rebuilding. Certainly not much time, no prospect for help as all blocked by the junta and China opposing forced aid delivery. Does China oppose aids to come in for the earthquake victims too?Let’s forget about history and past pains for now and forever.We have to see determined humanity from humanity for Burma.

Min Khin Kyaw

NLD calls for urgent international intervention

The National League for Democracy has appealed to the international community to use all means available to help Burma immediately, without waiting for permission from the military regime.

In a statement read by NLD spokesperson U Thein Nyunt yesterday, the party condemned the Burmese government for obstructing the delivery of international aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.

“The State Peace and Development ... Read Full Article

Survived and left alone to find their destiny

By NLD

(Unofficial Translation)
Original Announcement in Burmese (pdf 29.93kb)

National League for Democracy
97 B West Shwegondine Road.
Bahan Township, Yangon

Special Announcement 10/05/08

On the 2nd and 3rd May, hurricane Nagis caused never-before-experienced destruction, deaths by the million, injuries indescribable and breaking point hardship to millions of our people.

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Press Release:Burma Cyclone Relief Committee (Toronto)

For Immediate Release Media Contact:
416 358 2318 May 8, 2008

Burmese Community in Toronto and concerned Canadians have formed the Burma Cyclone Relief Committee (Toronto) to provide help to the cyclone victims in most effective way.


Name and Position Organization

1) Mr. Kyaw Zaw Wai, Chair Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario
2) Mr. Bush Gulati, Joint Chair CRDB
3) Mr. Min Naing, Secretary Burmese Students Democratic Organization
4) Mr. Leslie Chen, Treasurer (1) Burmese Chinese Association of Ontario
5) Ms. Lilly Chen, Treasurer (2) Burmese Chinese Association of Ontario
6) Mr. Aung Tin, EC* NLD Canada
7) Mr. Aung Myint Kyaw, EC* Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario
8) Mr. Nyunt Aye EC* Burma-Canadian Association of Ontario
9) Mr. Donald Min, EC* Burma-Canadian Association of Ontario
10) Mr. Aung New Oo, EC* Burmese Students Democratic Organization
11) Mr. Htun Htun Oo, EC* Burmese Students Democratic Organization
12) Ms. Mar Mar Cho, EC* Canadian Campaign for Free Burma
13) Ms. Caroline Kirshner, EC* Canadian Campaign for Free Burma
14) Mr. Kyaw Sithu, Member Individual
15) Mr. Zaw Win, Member Individual
16) Mr. Htun Htun Win, Member Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario
17) Ms. Win Kyi Aye, Member Burma-Canadian Association of Ontario
18) Mr. Soe Htay, Member Burmese Students Democratic Organization
19) Mr. Htun Myint Kyaw, Member Burmese Students Democratic Organization
20) Ms. Ulla Laidlaw, Member Canadian Campaign for Free Burma
21) Ms. Stephanie Conant, Member Canadian Campaign for Free Burma
22) Mr. San Thein Myint, Member Individual

Note: * Executive Committee

Spokesperson:
Kyaw, Zaw Wai
(416) 358-2318


Objective of the Committee

To render immediately and effectively direct assistance to the Burmese people affected by the cyclone.


Donation

Donors are requested to write the cheques payable to "Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario", and mention "Burma cyclone relief " as reference memo on the cheque; and on the envelope if donation is in cash. We also request the donors to provide the return mailing addresses to provide the tax receipts. All donations will be delivered to the victims through reliable non-government organizations such as the International Burmese Monks Organization and local humanitarian aid organizations in Burma. There is no overhead cost.


Donation by Mail

Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario
Maha Dhammika Temple
12 High Meadow Place
Toronto, Ontario
M9L 2 Z5

Donation in Person

We are also accepting in person donations at the following addresses:

Burma Buddhist Association of Ontario
Maha Dhammika Temple
12 High Meadow Place
Toronto, Ontario
M9L 2 Z5
Contact: Ashin, (416) 747-7879

Burmese Python Soccer Club
430 St. Clarens Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 3W3
Contact: Tun Myint Kyaw, (416) 533-1906

Aung Tin
1278 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M6H 1N8

NLD (L-A) News Release 2/05/2008

Situation in Insein Prison

Cyclone Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon on Friday night with winds of 190 kilometers (120 miles) per hour.

The storm severely damaged Insein Prison in Rangoon, and many roofing sheets were torn off of Ward No. (1). Prisoners on the upper level of that ward were drenched and had no shelter or security from the storm. Therefore the prisoners peacefully asked the prison wardens and authorities to move them to a secured location or lower level of the building. However, prison authorities neglected their pleas and reprimanded them with harsh words. As a result of the neglect, prisoners started to riot. Armed prison guards from the guard towers and main jail shot the rioters. As prisoners were shot and killed, other prisoners began to set fire to the building. Military guards opened fire on prisoners again. It is reported that over 400 prisoners were shot to death.

The following day, some prisoners were interrogated and four (4) of them were tortured to death by prison authorities. These four prisoners include: Ohn Kyaw (NLD member from Dawpon Township), Thant Zaw (Hlaing Township), Win Tun Win (Insein Township), and another anonymous prisoner. It is reported that 96 prisoners from Ward No. (1) were prohibited from having their family interview (htaung winsar). According to the report, three (3) of the 1,800 prisoners in Ward (1) included: Yan Yan Chan and Zay Yar Thaw, recently arrested Hip Hop singers, and Ko Kyaw Ko Ko from All Burma Federation of Students' Union.

It is necessary to investigate this incident and take legal action against those responsible for shooting innocent prisoners in this violent crackdown on victims of Cyclone Nargis at Insein Prison.

Situation in Irrawaddy Division

Cyclone Nargis completely destroyed a third of all fifty-six (56) village tracks, in Laputta Township of Irrawaddy Division. The most severely damaged village tracts include Thingan Gyi, Pyinsalu, Rway, and Layyin Kwin. During the night of the storm, a 12 to 16 foot tidal wave crashed down and flooded all one-story buildings, forcing people to climb on top of buildings for survival. When severe winds blew, people were thrown into the water, branches of trees broke, and house pillars collapsed. According to an eye witness, only one of the village’s one thousand houses remained standing after the flood.

In Laputta Township, local residents report that over 80,000 people have died or remain missing, and most people still do not have access to food or drinking water. Ships collected the survivors who were sent to monasteries and pagoda compounds. Donations from Laputta Township were collected to feed people with porridge. In Bogalay, over 10,000 people died and remain missing. In Kunchan Gone Township, about 5,000 people from town and 5,000 people from the countryside, have died or remain missing.

It is necessary for the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to call for immediate international assistance and to launch relief work in affected areas as soon as possible. In so doing, it is also necessary for the relief materials and cash assistance to reach the real victims of the natural disaster in the right way.

NLD Formed Cyclone Crisis Release Committee

National League for Democracy
No. (97/b) West Shwegondine Street
Bahan Township, Yangon

Letter No: 022(Org:) /05/08
Date: 7 May 2008
Subject: Forming Storm Crisis Relief Committee


Because of the unprecedented storm that hit Irrawaddy, Rangoon, Pegu Divisions, Mon and Karen States on 2nd and 3rd May, hundreds of thousand people died and people's properties were damaged. Therefore, in order to help a variety of people's social troubles and fulfill people's needs, National League for Democracy formed the following committee. Number of Committee member is subject to situation.

Storm Crisis Relief Committee

U Ohn Kyaing Chairperson
Dr. Than Win Vice Chairman
Ko Khin Tun Member
U Sein Hla Oo Member
U Soe Win Member
U Hla Thein Member
U Win Myint Member
Dr Win Naing Member
Dr Myo Nyunt Member
Ko Myint Htay Member
U Thein Oo Member
Dr Aye Kyu Member
Ko Aye Tun Member
Daw Myint Myint Sein


(To hold responsible for financial matters besides member)
Daw May Hnin Kyi (To hold responsible for financial matters besides member)
Daw Le Le (To hold responsible for financial matters besides member)
Daw Aye Aye Mar (To hold responsible for financial matters besides member)

As per the decision of the Central Executive Committee meeting hold on

08/05/08,SignedChairman personNational League for DemocracyDistribution -Karen and Mon States and Pegu, Irrawaddy, Yangon Divisions Organizational Committee-Persons concerned