joint statement on ASEAN

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxx]

Statement to the ASEAN members
19 July 1996

The upcoming 29th ASEAN Ministerial meeting for regional political,
economical development is also very important for Burma. 

We suggest to the ASEAN members that an assessment of whether the ASEAN
decisions on Burma has been successful or not needs to be done and to have
a clear practical policy needs to be laid out. 

>From our point of view, ASEAN's "Constructive Engagement" does not have
any effect on the calls for: - the recognition of the 1990 election
results - the release of political prisoners -overall cease-fire - to
start the reconciliation process in Burma through starting a dialogue with
the National League for Democracy, NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Because of the Constructive Engagement policy, the Slorc has received
opportunities to strengthen its hold on power and, at the same time have
the opportunity to have investments which are benefiting only the families
of the Slorc. 

That the basic human rights are being violated and arbitrary arrests are
still being made, was blatantly presented by the Slorc when arresting NLD
representatives before the NLD conference in last May. 

If the ASEAN, at this 29th Ministerial Conference does not try to change
its policy, we can only draw the conclusion that ASEAN members are
collaborators in defending a dictatorship. 

Not only are we determined to work together with the ASEAN members for the
economic and social development of the region, we are also determined to
work together for the abolishing of dictatorships. 

We therefore request that this meeting will:
- make an evaluation of the Constructive Engagement Policy and have a 
practical policy laid out
- to stop the initiatives on accepting the Slorc as a member of the ASEAN.

Students Federation of Thailand (SFT)
All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)
All Burma Basic Education Students Union (ABBESU, Thailand)
Overseas National Students Organization of Burma (ONSOB)
Burmese Students Association (BSA, Safe Area)
Federation of Trade Unions- Burma, Youth (FTUB)