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statement on 9-18-98



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 Statement of condemnation on the 10th anniversary  of the Burmese military junta coup against the state power in Burma ( September 18, 1998).

Today is the 10th anniversary of the Burmese military dictatorship, the present ruling body in Burma, overthrow of the state power after a bloody crack down on the popular pro-democracy movement of 8-8-88. The first time, the state power of Burma was seized by the despot, General Ne Win on March 2nd, 1962 while Burma was trying to practice a parliamentary democratic system after it gained independence from  the British in 1948. To gain the right to legally prolong its rule, General Ne Win and his group created a new constitution in 1974 and started to rule Burma by a one party system.

The military junta began to mismanage the economic system and established incoherent policies. Burma faced political, economic and social crises under 26 years of a one party ruling system. It eroded the patience of a traditionally good natured, quiescent Burmese people and compelled them  to oppose the Burmese dictators in demonstrations in 1988.  They quickly spread  nationwide and people from all walks of life participated in demonstrations to demand the reinstitution of democracy, end  the repressive military dictatorship and establish an interim government to pave the way for a democratic system of government.

Again, on September 18, 1988, a group of elite military officers, led by General Saw Maung under the name of State Law and  Order Restoration Council (SLORC), seized the state power in a bloody coup after they cracked down against the pro-democracy movement. During that coup more than 3,000 demonstrators died, thousands of demonstrators were arrested, and thousands of people, including students, had to flee to the jungle to save their lives and to continue their struggle. 

It was known world wide that SLORC would conduct four main duties during their hold on power. The SLORC declared on the same day that they seized the state power that holding a general election and transferring power to the elected representatives of the people was their final duty. General Saw Maung, the first chairman of the SLORC, promised that SLORC would transfer state power to the elected representatives soon after the election. Drawing up a constitution was not the business of the SLORC  or of  the military junta. According to SLORC?s official announcements  before the election including General Saw Maung?s speeches, it was the responsibility of the elected representatives. With their guaranty, they allowed the establishment of political parties, including a SLORC-backed  party, the  National Unity Party, which was transformed from the former Burmese Socialist Programme Party.

The National League for Democracy party which is led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, swept 82% of  the parliamentary seats. There was no reason for SLORC to continue to hold state power after the general election  was held, as General Saw Maung had repeatedly said. Instead of handing over the power to the people?s representatives, SLORC  arrested  members of Parliament and put them into jail for long terms. Following the loss of the SLORC-backed  party in the election, the military junta immediately planned to manipulate state power by convening a National Convention through which SLORC would create a political system to prolong control of the power. At this time, SLORC  intends to create a political system which will perpetuate military rule and authoritarianism in Burma.

The duty of the army is  to protect and defend the lives of people and their property and country, not to threaten, suppress and violate their people with the resources of the people. SLORC ignores the wishes of the people and  randomly running the country as their own country and against the aspirations and wishes of the people.

Therefore, we the exiled Burmese students in Portland, Oregon, USA strongly condemn the Burmese military junta which commits assaults the wishes of the people and demand the following;

1.Release all students, politicians and monks unconditionally.
2.Do not prohibit the representatives of the people for convening  the people?s parliament.
3.Stop arresting members of parliament ( people?s representatives) now.

We appeal to the international democratic communities ;

1. Pressure the Burmese military junta to stop  arresting  members of parliament, release all students, politicians and monks and  to help the emergence of the Burmese people?s struggle for democracy.
2. Support the Committee to Represent Elected Lawmakers ( Formed with Aung San Suu Kyi and nine NLD?s  leaders) to convene the people?s parliament.

*Down with the military dictatorship
*Democracy will be prevailed

Burmese exiled students in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Contact address;
P.O.Box-82164, Portland, Or, 97282-0164, USA.
Tel: (503) 238-8895
E-mail: howsan@xxxxxxxxxxxx









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