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JOINT STATEMENT FOR 9TH ANNIVERSARY



Subject: JOINT STATEMENT FOR 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF 8888

"JOINT STATEMENT OF STUDENTS AND ACTIVISTS OF BURMA ON 9TH ANNIVERSARY
OF 8888 DEMOCRACY UPRISING"

Today, 8 August 1997, is the 9th anniversary of the uprising in Burma.
A detestable dictatorship began to take root in Burma on 2 March 1962
through inappropriate military force and robbed the state power
from parliamentary government.  Thus the Union of Burma
fell under their totalitarian rule. Four months later a coup was staged,
and
the butchers led by Gen. Ne Win washed their boots with the blood of
students
from Rangoon University.

On the 8th of August 1988 there was an uprising against military rule in

Burma.  It was led by students, but people from all walks of life were
involved.  It came about from people's desire for democracy and
fundamental
rights such as freedom of speech, thought, presentation and
participation in
politics.  Many people have, on frequent occasions, confronted gunfire
ordered by the military leaders and sacrificed their lives for their
beliefs.

We strongly believe that the military must be ousted from power and
people must strive to achieve a democratic society in Burma.  With the
cooperation of the democratic forces and democracy lovers worldwide, we
pledge on
this memorable day of 8 August to struggle against the military
dictatorship
and totalitarianism.  We wish to do this in order to follow up our
comrades 'sacrifices
and fulfill our unswerving objectives.

Furthermore, although the people in Burma still face oppression and are
denied basic human rights, ASEAN has welcomed the SLORC as one of their
members.  This support has served to be legitimate their power.  ASEAN,
in
upholding the dictatorship, must therefore take responsibility for
further abuses and oppression of the Burmese people.

We warmly invite and welcome democracy lovers, whether individuals or
groups, whether they are nationals or foreign friends, to cooperate with

us in restoring and perpetuating genuine peace and democracy in Burma.

We therefore make the following demands:
1.  That the SLORC recognize the legitimacy of the 1990 election and
     hand over power to the election winners, the NLD led by Daw Aung
     San Suu Kyi.
2.  That all political prisoners of conscience in Burma must be released

     including student leader Min Ko Naing.
3.  That the SLORC must accept the political dialogue proposed by Daw
     Aung San Suu Kyi.
4.  That the SLORC must reopen all schools immediately and accept free
education   system for
     New generation of future Burma.
5.  That the SLORC shall bring genuine peace to the country by stopping
     all  kinds of political, economic and military campaigns against
the races of
     Burma, especially minorities along the border.
6.  That ASEAN must abandon actions which permit the SLORC's oppression
     of the  Burmese people.
7.  That ASEAN must encourage the development of democratic government
     in Burma.

We also urge the International community to,
1.  Pressure the ASEAN not to fuel the SLORC killing machine
2.  Cooperate and participate with U.S led trade sanction against the
      SLORC.
3.  Take action against those international business corporations who
are
     dealing with the SLORC.

-All Burma Basic Education Students' Union
-All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation
-All Burma Students' League
-Burmese Student Association (Safe-Area)
-Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)
-Democratic Burmese Student Organisation
-National League for Democracy (LA-Japan branch)
-Overseas National Student Organisation of Burma
-Students' Organisation for Liberation of Burma

"WE  ARE  THE  REAL  WITNESSES  OF  THE  8888  UPRISING  IN  BURMA"

Date; August 8,1997