CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB

[aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SLORC's PRESS

FEDREATION OF TRADE UNIONS - BURMA
			    Responsibilities & Rights
			-----------------------------------

CLARIFICATION ON THE ARREST OF FTUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND
SLORC's PRESS

2nd July 1997

1. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed on 14th October
1991 by trade union members who were fired from their jobs and hounded
by the SLORC for trade union activities.

2. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma was formed entirely by trade
union representatives of their own will and has it's own constitution.

3. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma fully supports the National
League for Democracy as the political party that won the general
election in 1990 and acknowledges the National Coalition of Government
of the Union of Burma as the Government of the people.

4. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma believes in Social Democracy
and through introduction of independent trade unions and
self-development programs, has always been striving for equality amongst
the working people, regardless of race or religion.

5. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never been influenced by
any political party and will never allow the Federation to become a tool
of any political party or group.

6. The Federation of Trade Union - Burma firmly believes that political
dialogue is the only way for solving the differences and achieving a
democratic system in our country.

7. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma has never held arms and never
resort to terrorism.

8. The claims by the SLORC in their 27th June press conference does not
answer the call by the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma issued on the
23th of June to release our Executive Committee Members. Instead, The
SLORC has side stepped it's violation of ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of
Association) and tried to discredit the National League of Democracy
NLD.

Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt has tried to slander the FTUB, U MYO AUNG THANT and
U KHIN KYAW but the veracity of the reports sent out by them is seen in
the EU GSP withdrawl, ILO Special Committee investigation on Forced
Labor and the US Sanctions.

9. The SLORC, especially Lt. General Khin Nyunt is taking advantage of
the arrest of U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW as a mendacious outlet
for their chaotic internal issues, the biggest crux being the
unexplained bombings.

10. The Federation of Trade Unions - Burma demands the SLORC to release
U MYO AUNG THANT and U KHIN KYAW, their wives and children and respect
the rights of the workers of Burma to form independence trade unions.