After the meeting, the party’s spokesperson, Nyan Win, told reporters that Suu Kyi was “not satisfied” with her on-going talks with the junta.
“Mainly because there is no time frame,” Nyan Win quoted her as saying.
She said, “Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” according to Nyan Win.
Nyan Win said Suu Kyi has told the junta’s liaison official that any talks must include representatives of the ethnic groups.
Following her talk with NLD members, the junta’s liaison officer Aung Kyi, and Suu Kyi met again on Wednesday, the fifth time since the September mass uprising.
The junta appointed Labor Minister Aung Kyi as a “relations minister” to represent the military government in preliminary talks with the Nobel Peace Prize winner, following repeated calls for a dialogue by the international community.
Meanwhile, the United States condemned the junta’s decision to charge 10 pro-democracy activists for their activities in the September protests. The US State Department reiterated its call for the military government to release all political prisoners, including democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
On Tuesday, the European Union special envoy to Burma, Piero Fassino, said at a joint press conference with outgoing Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram in Bangkok that the EU wants to work with Thailand to promote a positive solution in Burma. Fassino said he was working with the UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari.
Gambari arrived in India on Tuesday, where he was scheduled to consult with Indian officials on ways to resolve the Burma issue. His request to return to Burma has been delayed by the regime until April.
NLD to Sponsor Essay Competition on ‘National Reconciliation’
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Burma’s main opposition political party, the National League for Democracy, plans to launch an essay competition on national reconciliation, party officials say.
Han Thar Myint, a NLD spokesperson, told The Irrawaddy that an open essay competition will be held on February 6, based on the title “2008: The Year of National Reconciliation.” The competition is open to all age groups.
“In past years, the NLD has held essay competitions,” he said. “But this time, the theme is National Reconciliation,” he said. “The NLD has already told the authorities about the essay competition, but they have not yet responded.”
In Burma, holding an assembly or competition without the permission of authorities is illegal.
The NLD will also hold public talks on Burma’s Union Day on February 12, as well as Bogyoke [Gen] Aung San’s birthday on February 13. February 13 is also Children’s Day, and the group will sponsor activities for children.
“The talks on February 13 will be on the history of Children’s Day and Bogyoke Aung San,” said Han Thar Myint. “Bogyoke Aung San is unforgettable, and new generations must know about him.”
T-shirts with Aung San and Suu Kyi photos will also be available, he said.
Aung San, the father of Burma’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, was martyred and is a hero of the nation’s independence movement. He was founded the tatmadaw (the armed forces).
The NLD youth group published a news bulletin, called Ah-yoan-thit or “Dawn,” on January 4, the anniversary of Burma’s independence. The bulletin carried articles about the September crackdown.
The regime’s censorship board warned the NLD on January 14 that the publication violated the state publication act because it was printed without a press registration work permit.
NLD sources said youth members want the news bulletin to continue.
“But we will publish it under a different name, not Ah-yoan-thit,” said a member of the NLD’s information committee, who speak on condition of anonymity.