Anti-Burma protesters take differen

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Anti-Burma protesters take different approach 

August 14, 1997

BANGKOK POST
Anti-Burma protesters take different approach 

by Bangkok Post reporters 


Burmese students in exile plan to rally a nationwide strike against their 
country's military government as part of a new protest strategy which has 
abandoned military offensives for non-violent tactics.

The new approach, which aims to restore democracy and human rights in Burma, 
was adopted by 40 student leaders of All Burma Students' Democratic Front from 
different parts in Burma who met recently, ABSDF spokesman Zaw Min said 
yesterday.

The new strategy will receive popular support in the wake of increasing 
repression of political dissidents, worsening economic situation and growing 
dissatisfaction among the rank and file of the Burmese army, an ABSDF 
statement said.

"The ABSDF believes that in the foreseeable future, the people will be driven 
to a level at which they can tolerate no more and at which they will once 
again rise up against the dictatorship as they did in 1988 and risk life and 
limb to demonstrate their desperation," it said.

Mr Zaw Min said the group resolved to work to educate Burmese people in remote 
areas and set up contacts with human rights groups and political parties for 
such purposes.

Formed after a political uprising in 1988, ABSDF initially joined an armed 
ethnic-minority alliance to stand up to the ruling State Law and Order 
Restoration Council. The armed struggle was not successful as many 
insurgencies entered ceasefire deals with the Slorc a few years ago.

Mr Zaw Min said about 1,500 ABSDF forces remain at the Burmese borders with 
Thailand, India and China.

Last December, a number of Burmese students staged a brief demonstration in 
Rangoon to demand their rights to establish a union.