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Pres [C Release - BRC--J Fax-in



Date:January 29, 1995
Time:9:21PM JST
SUBJ:Press Release - BRC-J Fax-in

Press Release

Burmese Relief Center--Japan
266-27 Ozuku-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara-ken 634, Japan
Tel: (07442) 2-8236  -- Fax: (07442) 4-6254

Date:  Sunday, January 29, 1995

Undeterred by the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake and
the continuing aftershocks, Burmese democracy activists
rallied in Nara this afternoon for a "fax-in demonstration" to
protest SLORC's assault on the Karen capital of Manerplaw
and to urge Thai acceptance of Burmese refugees and asylum
seekers. 

Members and supporters of Burmese Relief Center--Japan sent
urgent messages by fax and e-mail to world leaders,
government representatives and influential newspapers, calling
for condemnation of the  SLORC takeover and strongly urging
the Thai government to grant protection and asylum to the pro-democracy leader
ship and to Karen and Burmese refugees
from the Liberated Areas. 

Participants also called upon Japan to reexamine its recent
decision to resume official development assistance to the
SLORC dictatorship which pours at least half the money it
receives directly into the military.  

They pointed out that the assault on Manerplaw clearly shows
SLORC's true intentions--to eliminate the base of democratic
forces, to crush the ethnic minorities' dreams of self-determination, and to d
eny Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the
support of an organized opposition should she be released in
the future.

Since it is now patently obvious that neither "constructive
engagement" nor quiet diplomacy have any effect on the
military dictators of SLORC, the rally called on the Japanese
government:

1.  To condemn SLORC strongly and clearly for its attacks on
Manerplaw and Dawn Gwin and for its duplicity in the UN
General Assembly, where it promised delegates to work for
peace and national reconciliation in Burma.

2.  To formally contact the Thai government and to urge them
(a)  not to allow SLORC troops to use Thai airspace and
territory 
(b)  to afford Karen and student leaders protection on Thai soil,
and  
(c)  not to repatriate Burmese refugees who flee to Thailand to
escape SLORC troops.
(d)  not to support SLORC troops with food or other supplies.

3.  To work closely with the democratic forces to restore
democracy and human rights in Burma.

4.  To urge the UN Secretary-General to use his good offices to
halt the SLORC offensive in order to preserve regional peace
and security, and to achieve a genuine political settlement and
national reconciliation in Burma, in accordance with the latest
UN General Assembly resolution.

Burmese Relief Center--Japan pledged its full support to
ABSDF and other Burmese democratic forces. Donations for
emergency relief were collected from friends in Japan and
abroad.  One member agreed to depart immediately on a fact-finding mission car
rying funds and supplies to the refugees.

/E