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SUU KYI EXPLAINS LAWSUIT AGAINST INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
BBC: BURMA:
14 January, 1999
Telephone interview with Aung San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the National League for Democracy, in Rangoon, by BBC Burmese Section's U Maung Maung Than on 13 January
[Announcer] Dear listeners. The BBC Burmese Section reported on 12 January about the National League for Democracy's Announcement No. 4(1/99) issued on 6 January whereby the National League for Democracy [NLD] chairman has sued the National Intelligence Bureau in Burma. Regarding this matter, we would like to present BBC Burmese Section's U Maung Maung Than's interview yesterday with NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi began by saying that the news about filing a lawsuit was true and that it was filed because of unjustified acts.
[Aung San Suu Kyi] We filed the lawsuit because we have the legal right to do so. We filed the suit because of unjustified acts.
[Maung Maung Than] The government is very afraid that if the opposition parties gain power they will be persecuted. What is their reaction to this lawsuit?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] This is not the first time that we have filed a lawsuit. Previously we also filed a lawsuit against the home affairs minister over illegal restrictions on freedom of travel imposed on us. So far the authorities have done nothing regarding that matter. We did that within the framework of the law. These matters are done in accordance with the law. Whatever we do, we do everything in accordance with the law. We do everything after careful consultations with legal experts.
[Maung Maung Than] Well, what impact will this lawsuit have on the future of talks and reconciliation?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] This is not relevant at all. They will continue to do more of these unjustified acts. They are doing unjust things all the time. We are filing a lawsuit within the framework of the law because they broke the law.
[Maung Maung Than] We have also learned that the NLD has written letters to the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee [ruling body of the Buddhist clergy in Burma]. Is it true?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] Yes, it is true.
[Maung Maung Than] What are the contents?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] Nothing much. In some places, the sanghas [Buddhist monks] have urged the NLD members to resign from the party. We complained to the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee that these acts are not in line with the practice and ethics of the Buddhist clergy and we seek the committee's help to discipline such monks.
[Maung Maung Than] What is the response from the State Sangha Mahanayaka Committee?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] So far we have not heard anything from them.
[Maung Maung Than] What is your assessment of the present political situation?
[Aung San Suu Kyi] Concerning the present political situation, I see that the authorities are bullying and engaging in unjustified acts against the democracy-loving people. This is nothing new.
[Maung Maung Than] Yes.
[Aung San Suu Kyi] But we totally do not accept the idea that we must all bear these unjustified and bullying acts.