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International union federation welc



The Geneva-based International Union of Food, Agricultual, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering,
Tobaco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF), an international trade union federation
composed of 312 trade unions in 110 countries and representing a combined membership
of over 2.6 million members, has issued a statement welcoming the release from house
arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democracy movement in Burma, and
reaffirming its "continuing solidarity" and "support" for the independent Federation of
Trade Unions (Burma).

The text of the statement reads:

STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

The IUF salutes Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese people, on the occasion
of her unconditional release from nearly six years of house arrest by the State Law and
Order Restoration Council.

The resistance of the Burmese people to the brutal dictatorship imposed by the Burmese
military following the electoral victory of the National League for Democracy in 1990,
together with international pressure from democratic forces including the international
labour movement, have won a major victory.

We recall, however, that this victory takes place while the repressive machinery of
dictatorship remains in place, the military continues its war againt the people, and
transnational investors continue to avail themselves of forced labour.  Her release is
therefore one phase in the continuing struggle of the Burmese people and of the Burmese
labour movement in particular, for the full restoration of human and democratic rights in
Burma, including full trade union rights.

The IUF pledges its continuing solidarity with this struggle, and its support to the
Federation of Trade Unions (Burma) as the legitimate representative of the Burmese
workers.

//end text//


Maung Maung
Secretary
Federation of Trade Unions (Burma)