Statement (r)

[mingla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

        Joint Appeal Letter to the ASEAN
from the
All Burma Young Monks' Union (ABYMU)
and
All Burma Muslim Union (ABMU)



Attention: 	The President
		Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Subject: 	Appeal letter to ASEAN to reconsider SLORC-ruled Burma's
entrance into the regional grouping.


Honorable Mr. President and distinguished leaders,

	We would like to convey our warm regards to your regional association,
ASEAN, during this celebration period of its 30th anniversary.

	We are writing with the hope of drawing your attention to our concerns
regarding the welfare of our people, and to suggest you reconsider your
intention to admit the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) into
ASEAN. SLORC is an illegitimate military regime which is currently
committing the worst human rights violations in the region. On behalf of the
Burmese people we would like to request you to consider the following
well-documented facts. Hopefully, these will encourage you to review your
policy concerning Burma.

	After savagely suppressing peaceful public protests for democracy in 1988,
a group of generals made a coup d'etat and illegally took power. These
generals made up the SLORC. They clearly lost all popular support in 1990,
during a free election held by themselves. The National League for
Democracy, the well-known pro-democracy party, won that election by a
landslide victory, with over 80% of the votes. SLORC has neither legitimacy
to rule the country nor they possess the right to represent Burma.
Basically, SLORC is only one of the 16 armed groups currently operating in
Burma.

	Strong animosity exists between the Burmese people and the SLORC military
government because of longstanding complicated problems.  The problems are;
(a) institutionalized and sometimes violent religious discrimination; 
(b) systematic, brutal violation of basic human rights;
(c) lack of equality and self-determination for ethnic nationalities; and
(d) a general political crisis due to SLORC's failure to honor the result of
1990 General Elections.

	The people of Burma continue to struggle for democratic reforms despite
accelerated persecution and restrictions by their oppressors. Several
strikes participated by various strata of society including students, monks,
and workers, have shown the strong desire for freedom and justice.  These
collective protests in the name of freedom include:
a) 1988 general uprising,
b) 1990 general elections,
c) 1990 Patta Nikujanna, Sangha strikes against the military in which the
Sangha refused to accept SLORC's religious offers,
d) 1990 Dec. 10-11 University Students demonstration to celebrate Nobel
Peace Prize Award to Aung San Suu Kyi,
e) 1996 December student demonstrations and 
f) 1997 Sangha strike against the regime for stealing valuables from
Mandalay Maha Myat Muni temple, one of the most famous Buddhist Shrine in Burma.

	We would like to remind ASEAN that such popular protests and SLORC's
violent reaction to them in the future could create a situation of further
instability and vulnerability to your investments inside Burma. Burma, once
the rich rice-bowl of Southeast Asia, is now one of the U.N. designated
least-developed countries in the world. SLORC has no ability to manage
political and economic development. We also would like to suggest to ASEAN
that only a truly democratic environment can provide good soil for your
investments.

	Both the Burmese people and the international community argue against
Burma's inclusion into ASEAN. To accept SLORC into your association will
further frustrate the efforts of the Burmese people to build a free and
prosperous country. To accept SLORC will also tarnish ASEAN's reputation as
a progressive organization.

	We believe the above facts warrant serious thought, and are sufficient to
encourage you to reconsider SLORC's membership in ASEAN. Please suspend
Burma's membership until its people achieve democratic freedom.


With metta,						With regards,





Rev. Ashin Khay Mar Sarya					
Chairperson 						Chairperson
All Burma Young Monks' Union	 		All Burma Muslim Union 
(ABYMU). 						(ABMU).

Date:	May 25, 1997