STATEMENT ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY

[lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: STATEMENT ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

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                                  ABSDF
                  ALL BURMA STUDENTS' DEMOCRATIC FRONT
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          STATEMENT ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF
          ---------------------------------------------------- 
                          DAW Aung San Suu Kyi
                          --------------------


                                                      Date: July 10, 1996

Today, July 10, 1996, is the first anniversary of the release of
Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from her six years
of house arrest.

Since her release, She has utilized a series of peaceful non-
violent political activities as a major tactic to pressurize the
Burmese regime into dialogue with the democratic opposition.

The ABSDF wholeheartedly supports Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the
National League for Democracy (NLD) in their boycott of the
Slorc's sham National Convention which seeks to perpetuate their
dictatorial rule through the drafting of a called constitution
reprsentatives handpicked by the Slorc.

ABSDF strongly denounces the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (SLORC) for the arrest of NLD elected representatives of
the 1990 election who had been invited to attend the NLD
congress. We demand that the Slorc release all political
prisoners including these elected MPs.

The ABSDF is sincerely convinced that there has been no progress
towards democracy in Burma since Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release,
as the Slorc has repeatedly denied the NLD's call for dialogue
aim at national reconciliation, and as human rights abuses and
harassment of peaceful pro-democracy activists can be seen to
have escalated significantly during this period.

The recent death of Mr. James Leander Nichols, while he was
serving a three year sentence in Insein, stands as a clear
indication that the SLORC continue to use brutally repressive
tactics as a means to silence their opposition.

As a result of this situation, the people's hope for a peaceful
progression towards political reform along the lines that  took
place in South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela, has
gradually faded out.

On this first anniversary of the release of our democracy leader,
we would like to appeal to the international community to;

1) impos trade sanction and an arms embargo on the Slorc 
2) support by any possible means the peaceful struggle of people  
   of Burma led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the restoration of    
   democracy and human rights in our country.

The ABSDF demands that the Slorc;

1) abolish the 'sham' National Convention,
2) release all political prisoners including elected MPs and      
   prominent student leader Min Ko Naing,
3) abolish all unjust laws and stop all forms of human rights     
   abuses,
4) enter dialogue with NLD lead by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and with  
   ethnic leaders to bring national reconciliation, democracy and 
   lasting peace to Burma.

The ABSDF also urges the ranks and files soldiers in Burma to
restore their honour by respecting the genuine desire of the
people for democracy, and by standing alongside them and
protecting them during their struggle. After all the primary
function for which General Aung San established the army was to
protect the people.

The ABSDF pledges to the people of Burma that we will continue
the struggle until the victory is achieved whatever sacrifices
may be necessary along the way.



Central Leading Committee
All Burma Students' Democratic Front