Statement of Supporting NLD Historic Decision

Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) welcomes National League for Democracy (NLD) historic decision made at the November 18th party HQs meeting attended by (106) Central Committee members across the country led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ex-commander of Burmas army Gen. Thura U Tin Oo, and well-known Journalist U Win Tin. We do issue this statement to shores up our support to the NLD meeting and its historic decision of party registration and partaking in forthcoming bi-election. Actually, opposition forces including NLD which exist both legally or underground have gone all-out for too many years in order to set up a genuine democratic nation. Throughout these prolonged years, our comrades, family members and friends, who are unsung hero of the country, have sacrificed their live for the nation and died as conquerors on the roads of Burma, in interrogation centers, and prisons as well as in the jungles. In addition, its sadly to be noted that during democracy revolution, most dissidents financial, social and family life are annihilated. Certainly, these historic events shall not easily be forgotten nor are they left in the past alone. Still, an unfeigned democratic country cant be built under this 2008 Burma constitution. To become a peaceful, prosperous, and developed nation which guarantees democratic values and principles, all Burmese citizens regardless of ethnicity and religion must be conscious that they all have to work hard and walk on a lot more further footsteps. Politically, we dont have the best choice to grab under this collapsed circumstances of the nation. Besides, its very easy to sit down by giving the rear to the enemy of many years, but its exigent to handshake with them. As stated above, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLDs decision to register and participate in the election is not the best one, but this is a courageous and historic decision in an attempt to saving the country from the bad location. With this decision, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD is not giving up nor surrendering. Instead, this is just a change in strategy in order to seek earlier release of political prisoners, genuine democracy, national reconciliation and nationwide-peace-building in the country. Also this is an attempt to reconstruct the country which has become a failed state in the world. Burmas citizens of all ethnics and all walk of life, students, soldiers, political parties, religious affairs, NGOs, and Media groups are obliged to work hand in hand with unity and harmony spirit so as to emerge democratic, and developed nation which allows peaceful coexistence of multiethnic people.

By growing prolonged good-will-spirit for the sake of the country, we wish President U Thein Sein-led government, which is loyal to retired army strongman Snr-Gen Than Shwe, will move forward the current form of transition with more speedy manner without looking backward by collaborating with oppositions, NGOs, and Media (even if they have a hidden agenda behind the scene). After all, we do pray for the better future of our country. Toward nationwide-peace-building, and development Peace and Development Foundation (PDF) Date - November 18, 2011 Email - executives@pdfburma.org Phone - 1-415-852-2620