Dr. Sein Win's Activities in Austra

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Subject: Dr. Sein Win's Activities in Australia

Canberra, August 8 -- Dr. Sein Win, prime minister of the National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma, attended a protest rally organized by the
Australia-Burma Council in front of the Burmese embassy in Canberra on
August 8, 1996.  The rally attended by about 300 members of the Burmese
community was given extensive coverage by the Australian media.   All five
Australian TV stations -- Win, Prime, SBS, ABC and Capital -- as well as
radio stations covered the story.

The rally was also attended by Senator Vickie Bourne who called for
Australian investments to be withdrawn from Burma "because it is immoral" to
deal with the ruthless military junta.  Sir William Keys in his address to
the rally expressed his support for the Burmese democracy movement saying
that "it was time for Australia to impose sanctions" because "good-will
gestures were no longer good enough."

Earlier in the day Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win met with former Foreign
Minister Senator Gareth Evans, who is currently the shadow Treasurer, and
discussed measures that can be taken to bring democracy to Burma.   He also
met Senator Vicki Bourne who pledged to support the boycott call by Dr. Sein
Win and the Burmese democracy movement against Australian businesses working
with the military junta.

On August 6, he met Senator Margaret Reid who is slated to be the new
President of the Senate.  Dr. Sein Win told the Senator that it was vital
that regional countries like Australia voice their protest against the
increasing repression against the democracy movement in Burma.   The Senator
agreed with Dr Sein Win's suggestion.

During the tour, Dr. Sein Win will also be meeting the Australian foreign
minister Alexander Downer and Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer to discuss
Burma.

The following is Dr. Sein Win's speech to the protest rally in Canberra today:

/// Today marks the eighth anniversary of the popular uprising for democracy
in Burma. The people who had lived under a military dictatorship for over 26
years eagerly responded to a call for nationwide strike by the students and
brought down that government.   The generals loyal to that government
however staged a bloody coup gunning down thousands and arresting many more.

However, the 'Spirit of 8-8-88' had given birth to an organized movement for
democracy in Burma.  Even though the military had murdered and imprisoned
thousands, the movement for democracy refuses to die and has grown steadily.
As evident by the gathering here today, the movement for democracy has
gained many friends and supporters worldwide.

The core strength of the movement however is the people inside Burma who
continue to support the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi.  Despite the threat of arrest and harsh prison terms, thousands
turn up at Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence at weekends to listen to her
speeches and express their support for the NLD.

The massive support for the NLD is being seen as a threat by the ruling
military junta.   It has stepped up its threat against NLD supporters and
increased the suppression of the NLD members.  The most glaring examples are
the massive arrests of NLD representatives in May and the very recent deaths
in custody of elected NLD representative U Hla Than and of honorary Norway
consul Leo Nichols both of whom underwent harsh treatment in prison.

Today, the military junta while promising the international community it
will restore democracy to the country is refusing to settle national
problems through dialogue and the process of national reconciliation as
called for by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  It is trying to reinstate a political
system that is under the control of the military and legitimized through a
constitution that is being drafted by delegates, most of whom are
hand-picked by the generals.

This ambitious scheme of the generals is being financed by businesses which
place their profits above human suffering.  Without the inflow of funds from
investments and businesses who arm the massive army that protect the wealthy
generals, democracy would have long prevailed in Burma.

The main goal of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma has
always been identical to the aspiration of all the people in Burma,  That
is, to restore democracy and human rights.  It has time and again appealed
to the international community not to invest in Burma at this time because
investments dissuade the generals from entering into any meaningful talk to
settle political problems.

In memory of the thousands of people that were killed by the military on
August 8, 1996, I am repeating that call today. On behalf of the National
Coalition Government, I wish to express my thanks to the conscientious
companies that have stopped doing businesses with the Burmese generals. I
also urge the people here in Australia and all over the world to boycott
businesses that continue to abet the generals.  Stop the investments.  It is
time to stop the suffering in Burma.

On the 22nd August 1996 at the National Press Club I will launch a campaign
on behalf of the Burmese Women's Union, the National Union of Students and
the Australia Burma Council.  This campaign will encourage a boycott of
companies in Australia choosing to do business with the SLORC.  We will
encourage you to join that boycott. ///

                                        oo0oo