ABSDF calls for immediate condemnat

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Subject: ABSDF calls for immediate condemnation of Slorc

                     REFUGEES FLEE SLORC ONSLAUGHT 
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            ABSDF CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CONDEMNATION OF SLORC; 
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            PLEDGES TO INCREASE POLITICAL DEFIANCE ACTIVITIES
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8.8.88 Camp, Tenesserim Division, Burma - February 14, 1997
Thousands of refugees are pouring into Thailand as Burma's
military junta -State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) 
intensifies its attacks on refugee camps and bases of the
democratic forces and ethnic nationalities at the Thai-Burma
border.

While the attack on the areas under the control of the 6th
Brigade of the Karen National Union is in full swing, a new front
has been opened by the Slorc Army against the KNU's 4th Brigade
opposite Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

The KNU 4th Brigade controls areas around the controversial gas
pipeline being constructed by Slorc, UNOCAL and Total and their
partners.

The attack on the 4th Brigade areas began on February to but
largely went unreported because of simultaneous raids on other
areas closer to the Thai border. The latest round of offensive
against ethnic nationalities has already seen an influx of new
refugees into Thailand.

The Slorc Army is also preparing to launch attacks in other
southern border areas. People are abandoning their villages and
fleeing into areas near Thap Sakae in Thailand. The 8.8.88 Camp
run by the All Burma Students' Democratic Front ( ABSDF) and the
camps controlled by the Mon and Muslim freedom fighters are
already feeding newly arrived refugees.

In a statement today, ABSDF Chairman Dr. Naing Aung lashed cut
against the brutal offensive launched by the Burmese army against
democracy and ethnic groups on the Thai-Burma border.

"The offensive by the Slorc Army is directed at crushing
Democracy  organizations and ethnic groups along the Thai border.
As it stands now, Slorc troops have forced tens of thousands of
refugees across the border into Thailand and are fighting
soldiers of the Karen National Union.

"The KNU has been seeking a peaceful, political settlement with
Slorc when the surprise offensive began," stated Naing Aung "I am
calling on the international community to condemn this barbaric
behavior."

Dr. Naing Aung also stated that despite the Slorc offensive, the
democracy movement is stronger than ever. "This is an act of
desperation by Slorc. The ongoing political upheaval by thousands
of people in Rangoon and throughout Burma is proof that despite
the violent force of Slorc's heavy hand, they will never be able
to crush the desire of millions of Burmese and ethnics to live
free in democracy," he stated.

Dr.Naing Aung called on students, civil servants, monks and
soldiers in the Burma army loyal to the democracy movement to
oppose Slorc through the use of non-violent political defiance
activities  "Despite Slorc's weapons, the people have given Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi and National for Democracy their hearts and
souls . There is no regime that can last without the support of
the people, that is why Slorc's days are numbered. The time to
step up our defiance of the regime is now upon us. We must now,
using non-violent tactics, face down the cowards terrorizing to
subdue the millions of Burmese and ethnics yearning to be free."



ALL BURMA STUDENTS' DEMOCRATIC FRONT [ABSDF]


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