Statement

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxx]

                Statement on the 48th Anniversary of Independence Day


January 4, 1995 is the 48th anniversary auspicious occasion of the 
Independence Day in Burma which marks the Burmese liberation from the 
colonization.

Over a hundred year under the British colony, Burmese people have 
sacrificed countless lives, sweat and blood for the independence of their 
mother-land. Apparently, three generations of Burmese people had to fight 
for the inspiration of independence.

As a result of their striving for liberation, Burma became an independent 
nation and awarded  its own sovereignty. Unfortunately, the civil war was 
taken place along together with the independence in Burma. As well as 
national union among the nationalities in Burma was broken as a result of 
civil war inBurma.

Civil war after the newly-born independence paved the way for some 
opportunities to the military dictatorship in Burma. The intensification 
of civil war was the reason for the military to extend their military 
might and later this become the firm foundation for consolidation of 
military dictatorship in Burma. That is the system that have been still 
suppressing its own people as the slaves.

It is a true fact that Burma has liberated from the foreign colonization 
but unfortunately, it is still under the suppression of the misrule by 
its same people. Because of the Slorc's dictatorial oppression against 
its own people, there are lack of democracy and human rights.The struggle 
to achieve these principles has become the national cause. Burmese people 
understand well that without the abolishment of military dictatorship, it 
would be impossible to achieve these principles.

Struggle against the military dictatorship in Burma is the historic 
responsibility for all citizens of Burma. It can also be recognized as 
the second struggle for national liberation. 

It is a grieved circumstances for a country like Burma which is 
sovereignty nation with high rich natural resources has been designated 
as the one of the least developed country in the world for the misrule by 
its military dictatorship. All the social, economic and political 
situation as well as the dignity of the Burmese people are deteriorating.

The ruling military regime, Slorc is playing a political game with 
"cease-fire policy" aiming to disarm the ethnic groups and suppressing 
the opposition forces strategically in order to consolidate their 
military rule. Genuine internal peace cannot attained by merely doing 
cease-fire agreement. It can be reached until and unless the political 
dilemmas are solved with sincerity and openness. At the same time, the 
will of Burmese people to establish the civilian government will be still 
far away as long as the military domination theory is alive. The Slorc is 
ignoring the result of 1990 election and is forcibly organising the 
so-called "National Convention" to consolidate their military power in 
the future politics. "National Convention" merely organized by Slorc is 
lack of genuine goodwill and lack of nobility. In addition, it dose not 
symbolize as the national representation. We, the ABSDF strongly believes 
that "National Convention" could not achieve to emerge the genuine 
national unity and solidarity in Burma.

Genuine national solidarity can be dignified when democracy and human 
rights are prevail and the full ethnic rights are honoured.

The ABSDF will forge ahead to oppose the on-going sham "National 
Convention". This is a crucial time for the people of Burma to oppose the 
sham "National Convention" which is aiming for Slorc's power consolidation.

People of Burma must understand their plight as the military slavery 
under the Slorc regime though Burma has gained independence from the 
colonization. 

We, the ABSDF strongly urges the people of Burma, with consistent unity 
in the struggle for democracy in Burma, to fight against the military 
dictatorship in order to achieve the genuine liberation and independence.

Central Committee
ABSDF (Dawn Gwin)

January 1 , 1996.