(The Burmese military junta recently released a very senior pro-democracy movement leader signalling their urge to carry forward the dialogue with Aung Sang Suu Kyi and raising hopes in the international community that a semblance of democracy may be restored in the Pagoda nation in near future. tripurainfo.com carries excerpts of this interview done by the pro-democracy radio station Democratic Voice of Burma with the released leader Dr Saw Mra Aung. Since Tripura is located close to Burma and Bangladesh, Tripurainfo.com seeks to keep our readers informed about the latest happenings in those countries. Subir Bhaumik , the BBC Eastern India Correspondent with extensive contacts in both these countries has agreed to bring to our readers a rich selection of news and current affairs material from these two countries. ) 

DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] contacted Dr Saw Mra Aung, chairman of the Committee Representing Peoples' Parliament [CRPP], who was released from the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] 
government guest house on Thursday [14 June], about his release. Our first question was about his living conditions there. [Saw Mra Aung] Well, living conditions there are so-so. They have separate living quarters though. It seems like an old office building. They have added a bathroom and a water tank. They 
never had that before. [Khin Hnin Htet] Yes. Do you mean to say living conditions were squalid and neglected before? [Saw Mra Aung] Well, the vicinity of the quarters was not clean. Only when I personally started to clean it myself then they began to clean the area with brooms and rakes. They also repaired the 
broken sewage pipes. First you had to take the initiative. Furthermore, the bathroom floor was cracked and uneven. It was also slippery. I started to complain and after some coaxing they repaired the floor. The bathroom was not big so they even put white tiles on the walls. Sometimes there was no water. I had to save some water for bathing, washing, and for toilet use. [Khin Hnin Htet] How about health care? 
[Saw Mra Aung] Well, a medical specialist team from Mingaladon military hospital came every fortnight and did all the checking. They even took videos and photos. If you bring your own medicines you 
can use them in an emergency. When there is an emergency like diarrhoea or vomiting and when you call them they will come immediately and give you treatment. [Khin Hnin Htet] Can you tell us about your future plans as the chairman of CRPP? [Saw Mra Aung] Firstly, they held the elections. They were free and fair and accepted by the world and the UN. Many wish for the convening of parliament. If there is a arliament then any future task could be carried out in accordance with the resolution of all the elected 
parliamentary members. That is what we want but we do not know when we will be able to reach that goal. 
[Khin Hnin Htet] Well, will you have a chance to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the general secretary of NLD [National League for Democracy] and member of the panel of secretary of the CRPP? [Saw Mra Aung] Well, I want to meet her. I want to discuss future plans with her, but I myself have only just been allowed to return to my house. So the idea of meeting her is not possible at the moment. No-one is allowed to enter her compound. [Khin Hnin Htet] What are your expectations about the prevailing situation? [Saw Mra Aung] I really cannot say anything much about the prognosis. It is very premature at this stage. I was just permitted to return home. I don't know what future lies ahead. [Khin Hnin Htet] You were recently released. How do you feel about the other colleagues who are still being held at the government guest houses? 
[Saw Mra Aung] There were many detained. Some were accused of crimes and later sentenced. I want all the political prisoners to be freed because although I alone was released, I feel for my colleagues. My desire is for the release of all the political prisoners and the people's elected representatives. Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 16 Jun 01