Other Presidential Documents itinerary. She also met freely with NLD party workers and the general pub- lic; however, in line with general restrictions on all political parties in Burma, she was not allowed to hold outdoor rallies or meetings. In Ran- goon, similarly, she has resumed her party duties with minimal govern- ment interference and has continued to meet with both Burmese and for- eign visitors on a regular basis, although the government still limits her ac- cess to high-ranking foreigners. Since March, foreign visitors have included UN Special Envoy Razali Ismall, who has facilitated communication be- tween the government and the NLD, Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi, EU Troika representatives, and ambassadors of European and ASEAN coun- tries. NLD efforts to rebuild itself as a political party have also accelerated to some degree over the past six months. Badly crippled by government re- pression during the 1990s, the NLD has now re-assembled most of its na- tional leadership (with the notable exception of senior party adviser U Win Tin, who remains in prison). As of September 27, 2002, 62 of the NLD's party offices have re-opened, including 36 of 40 in Rangoon. All of the par- ty's Central Executive Committee members have been released, as have a majority of the party members who were detained during the government's crackdowns in the 1090s. However, 16 of the party's MPs remain in prison. Altogether, 325 NLD party members have been released from prison or house arrest since 2000, leaving about 200 NLD prisoners still in detention. The NLD has also resumed some normal party activities, including public meetings on major public holidays. However, outdoor meetings are banned (for both the NLD and all other registered political parties) and party elec- tions remain forbidden under a decree first issued by the Central Election Commission in 1990. The government has refused to grant a publication li- cense to the NLD party's newsletter, despite repeated NLD requests for per- mission to publish. Two student members of the NLD were also recently arrested for carrying banned political literature. The NLD, for its part, has moderated its public criticism of the regime. While it has called repeatedly for democracy in Burma, it has also stated flatly that it is prepared to work with the government on a process of political transition. Aung San Suu Kyi has indicated recently that humanitarian assistance for Burma's people could be welcome, provided that it is delivered through mechanisms that are transparent, accountable, and beneficial to the Burmese people, as op- posed to the government. She told EU representatives that economic sanc- tions are a matter to be decided by individual foreign states. Despite the steps the government has taken to rebuild confidence with the NLD, it has not yet responded to the NLD's calls for a serious dialogue on constitutional issues, nor has it sketched out a roadmap for reform or a timetable for elections. As a result, doubts remain regarding the govern- menCs commitment to dialogue. While it has repeatedly asserted that its goal is a restored democracy, it has yet to convince its critics, including the U.S., that it is genuinely committed to that course. The U.S. continues to recognize the results of the 1990 elections and will continue to push for the full restoration of the civil and political rights of the people of Burma. 319
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