CDB Commemmorates Election Winning (r)

[osolnick@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: CDB Commemmorates Election Winning Day of NLD

burma@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> From: BURMA OFFICE <burma@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: CDB Commemmorates Election Winning Day of NLD
> 
> [The following is message from Desmond Than Naing, Chairperson of
> Sydney-based Committee for Democracy in Burma, in commemorating the
> seventh anniversary of the overwhelming victory of Daw Aung San Su Kyi?s
> NLD.  The ceremony was held in Sydney on the night of 25 May 1997].
> DISTINGUISHED GUESTS-
> FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY
> IN BURMA-
> MY COLLEAGUES IN THE COMMITTEE-
> WELCOME AND A VERY GOOD EVENING.
> 
> Thank you for coming here this evening to commemorate the seventh
> anniversary of the overwhelming victory of Daw Aung San Su Kyi?s NLD
> party, in the elections held in May 1990.
> 
> Our Committee has thought it our duty to focus our attention on this
> event every year by holding dinner function like this, to remind
> ourselves and the world that the SLORC generals have usurped power, they
> do not have the mandate to govern and they continue their systematic
> violations of human rights.
> 
> The United Nations General Assembly called for the restoration for
> democracy in Burma in line with the will of the people as expressed
> through the elections of 1990. The people of Burma made it quite clear
> as to what kind of government they wanted. They want DEMOCRACY. We want
> DEMOCRACY for Burma. We want to see the establishment of a democratic
> government that will guarantee the rights of every citizen. WE want to
> see the abolition of all the unjust practices. Subjugation of the
> minorities and the poor must stop.
> 
> In a video tape which was sent to a press conference held at the Human
> Rights Commission, Geneva on the 17 April 1996, Aung San Su Kyi said:-
> 
> ? ANY MOVE TO IGNORE OR TO SET ASIDE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS IS NOT
> ONLY TO INSULT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF BURMA, BUT IT IS ALSO TO INSULT
> THE WILL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS EXPRESSED THROUGH THE GENERAL
> ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS.?
> 
> She made a plea to the international community to take FIRM STEPS to
> ensure that the authorities in Burma start the process of recognizing
> the results of the elections held in 1990. Those election really
> happened. It wasn?t a fantasy. It wasn?t a dream. It cannot be ignored.
> 
> After seven long years one country has taken the first firm step.
> 
> Our committee commends the President of the United States of America,
> Bill Clinton, who on the 22 April announced his decision to impose ban
> on new U.S investments in Burma.
> The United States of America took the first step on the moon. They have
> now taken the first firm step to restore democracy in Burma.  We thank
> you President Clinton. We hope you can influence the world community,
> including Australia to follow suit. This is a step in the right
> direction, and in our view, this is the step everyone must follow.
> 
> Seven long years of constructive engagement has resulted in destructive
> engagement. When will those who advocate ? constructive engagement ?
> come to the realization that it does not work for Burma?s good.
> 
> Ladies and gentlemen :- constructive engagement is destructive
> engagement.
> 
> We had cause to be optimistic in June last year, when the Australian
> senate called on the Government to put SLORC on notice that economic
> sanctions must be placed on the agenda if the civil and political rights
> are not restore to the people in Burma. It is almost a year now.
> Clearly, the situation in Burma have not improved. Just a few days ago
> about a 100 senior members of NLD party have been arrested. This is
> obviously an attempt by SLORC to prevent the NLD from holding the
> congress on the 27 May, the anniversary of the dishonored elections. In
> relation to this incident, the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander
> Downer has condemned SLORC and acknowledge that the tactics used by
> SLORC are clearly design to destroy the political opposition and create
> a climate of fear in Burma. If that is the case please ask yourself if
> the Australian Government is doing enough to stop these atrocities in
> Burma. Clearly, words are not good enough to deal with this evil regime.
> 
> We ask the Government to take one firm step. It is time!
> We would like to see the Australian government follow the U.S lead and
> impose trade sanctions on Burma.
> We would like to see intensified diplomatic efforts to bring
> international pressure to bear on the SLORC.
> We also ask the Australian government to put SLORC on notice that the
> diplomatic relations will be downgraded in the event of the further
> deterioration of the situation in Burma, and actively discourage trade
> with Burma including the closure of Austrade office
> in Rangoon, and also to discourage tourism to Burma.
> 
> We believe that it is our duty to work for peace and justice not only in
> Burma, but throughout the world. We are lucky that we are living in
> Australia and can voice our views even though our views may run counter
> to the government?s policies from time to time. We are grateful for the
> freedom that we enjoy here. We would like the people of Burma to enjoy
> the freedoms. Therefore, my fellow expatriates, let us all be united and
> strong in our efforts to achieve democracy for Burma.
> 
> Thank you all for listening.
> 
> Long live democracy.
> 
> Long live Daw Aung San Su Kyi.





MAM - Please forward this to Desmond.


Dear Desmond,
Can I just call you Than Naing like we always do ?

Well done. Keep it up. The fight is getting to be intense and we are
getting weary, which also means that the other side is also starting to
tire. 

I will proudly show to my collegeus that a comrade of ours, with whom we
fooled around together dring our school days is doing this for the
country.

Get an e-mail address so that we can keep in touch more often.
Say hello to your family for me.

Yours	Moke Sait.
  
Inspite of all these,  we are confident of coming out on top.