MIZZIMA: India and China should wor

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Subject: MIZZIMA: India and China should work together for democracy in

Burma, said CPI
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?India and China should work together for democracy in Burma?, said CPI
Burma democracy activists commemorate 8.8.88 Uprising

By Our Reporter
New Delhi, August 8, 1999

About 80 Burma democracy activists staged a protest rally at Janta Manta
in New Delhi today to commemorate the 11th Anniversary of 8.8.88
People?s Uprising in Burma. The protestors, holding placards and
shouting anti-government slogans, marched towards the Indian parliament
and staged a sit-in demonstration for nearly two hours in front of
Parliament Police Station. The Burmese activists were joined by Indian
supporters including Dr. D. Raja from Communist Party of India (CPI) and
Mr. Ramesh Sharma from Gandhi Peace Foundation.

Speaking at the rally, Dr. Raja extended his party?s support to the
democratic movement in Burma and particularly to the Nobel Laureate Aung
San Suu Kyi who is leading the struggle for restoration of democracy and
human rights in Burma.

?In the hour of crisis in Burma, I, on behalf of my country promise you
that people of India will stand with you and will remain with you in
your struggle for democracy?, said Dr. Raja.

Dr. Raja was critical of the United Nations, which he said, is ?playing
the role of mute spectator? while democratic forces are being crushed in
Burma.

He was of the view that India and China, that share common borders with
Burma, should work together for the establishment of democratic
government in Burma. ?Now, it is the time that India and China should
share the sorrows of the people of Burma in helping the struggle for
democracy. I am optimistic if both China and India take up this cause,
the next moment, the military junta will crash and democracy will
prevail in Burma?, added Dr. Raja who is a National Secretary of CPI.

Meanwhile, Burma activists organized similar meetings and prayers in
Manipur and Mizoram states of India to commemorate the 11th Anniversary
of nation-wide uprising. Millions of people from all walks of life
joined the students-led street demonstrations calling for political and
social changes in Burma on 8th August of eleven years ago. This
nation-wide people?s uprising led to the downfall of three successive
Presidents of Burmese dictatorial regime but the military took over
power by staging a bloody coup on September 18, 1988 and cracked down
the peaceful demonstrations.

By MIZZIMA News Group