Win Tin Says He Refused Offers of Early Release

"I once read your publication while I was in prison," said newly-released Win Tin, Burma's longest-serving political prisoner, in a telephone interview on Wednesday with The Irrawaddy.

Win Tin, 79, one of Burma’s most respected journalists, was freed on Tuesday after serving 19 years in Rangoon’s Insein Prison. Amnesty International said he was among at least seven political detainees among more than 9,000 prisoners released by the regime in what the state media called an act of “loving kindness.”

Burma's political prisoner Win Tin, 79, speaks at his friend's house following his release. Burma's longest-serving political prisoner, journalist Win Tin, was freed Tuesday after 19 years behind bars and vowed to continue his struggle to achieve democracy in the military-ruled country. (Photo: Myat Moe Maung/The Irrawaddy)

A longtime journalist and poet, Win Tin was arrested in July 1989 and accused of belonging to the banned Communist Party of Burma. Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, he received an additional five years in 1996 for breaking prison regulations prohibiting the possession of writing materials.

“They owe me a few years,” said Win Tin, complaining he had been unfairly detained.

He confirmed reports that the authorities had made him conditional offers of freedom.
"When the time of my release arrived in the past, they want me to sign conditions. I refused to sign any conditional agreement." he said from a friend's home in Rangoon. "I did not accept their terms for the amnesty.”

Press freedom organizations throughout the world welcomed the release of Win Tin, winner in 2001 of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize.

"We are heartened by initial news that his spirit to fight for democracy remains unbroken," said Roby Alampay, director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance.

Win Tin vowed in Wednesday’s interview to keep pressing for democracy in Burma. "I still believe that democracy can be achieved through democratic practices,” he said. “To this end, I will work with my colleagues in the National League for Democracy (NLD)."

Win Tin, formerly editor of the influential newspaper Hanthawaddy, was one of the founders of the NLD in 1988 and a close associate of the party’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Asked about claims that Suu Kyi was in no position to break the political deadlock in Burma, Win Tin declared: “I have no doubt about her personality, knowledge and leadership skills. I trust her. She is the true leader."

Suu Kyi has called Win Tin "a man of courage and integrity," and said he was instrumental in the country's democracy movement.

The full interview with Win Tin will be launched on The Irrawaddy Web site shortly.