ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

On the 2nd and 3rd of May 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma in an unprecedented way, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead, missing, and homeless, especially in the Ayeyawaddy and Yangon Divisions.

Burma’s Ayeyawaddy Division was considered the rice bowl of Burma. However according to specialists, forty percent (40%) of the Ayeyawaddy Division’s agriculture sector, which is twenty percent (20%) of the entire agricultural sector, has been damaged by the cyclone. In addition, many farm animals have died, and fishery and salt production sites destroyed. Moreover, Burma’s infrastructure, such as houses, hospitals, schools, street, roads, and bridges, has been demolished. Furthermore, victims and orphans who survived the storm are desperate for security and moral encouragement and need assistance in terms of their health, education, and businesses.

The cyclone’s victims not only suffered tremendous physical loss, but they have been affected mentally as well. Thus, international aid on a massive scale is urgently needed. This adversity is too great for one person, organization, or country to combat alone. The initial investment required for restoration of our country is too substantial for our country to handle alone. Additionally, even before the cyclone, the people in Burma suffered from conditions of overwhelming poverty and hardship. For that reason, it is necessary to work in collaboration with international organizations and NGOs, including the United Nations, who can provide vital resources such as people, money, machinery, and experts who have experience dealing with natural disasters.

Due to the massive loss equivalent to billions in kyat, Burma’s entire economy has been affected. Income, investment, employment, taxes, revenue, and the circulation of currency have all been impacted significantly. Furthermore, inflation and basic commodity prices are soaring in Burma. Crises like this cannot be solved without considering politics.

During this critical time in Burma, and as the economy, the education system, the health care system, and other social systems fail, political reform is necessary to solve this national crisis. Political reform is directly linked to democratic transformation. “The Constitution of the Union of Myanmar 2008” is unlawful according to the rules and provisions of the Referendum Law and Referendum Technical Law. Thus, the people and the National League for Democracy will not accept it. Therefore, the National League for Democracy calls for the State Peace and Development Council to restore national reconciliation among the 1990 General Election winning parties, ethnic nationalities, and democracy groups, and seek a real political solution.

This solution can be achieved by forming the Pyithu Hluttaw according to Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law enacted by the State Peace and Development Council (then the State Law and Order Restoration Council). The Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law is still legal, and the representatives elected by that law are still present. Hence, to solve this national crisis, the National League for Democracy demands that the Pyithu Hluttaw be formed immediately and in accordance with section three (3) of that law.

As per the Central Executive Committee's meeting's decision held on
16 June 2008

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Yangon