News Release: Free Burma Fast

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

F R E E   B U R M A   C O A L I T I O N
225 n. Mills St., Madison, WI  53706  USA
zni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, http://wicip.org/fbc, http://freeburma.org

For Immediate Release:

Free Burma Fast Unites Supporters Inside and Outside Burma


Washington, DC -- August 5, 1998 -- Supporters of democratic development,
both inside and outside Burma, are participating in a 24 hour fast to mark
the 10th anniversary of Burma's mass uprising against military rule on
August 8th, 1988.  At least 5000 unarmed people were shot dead that night
by soldiers.

Fast participants in 12  countries, are, for the first time, being joined
by large numbers of Burmese fasting inside the country.

The fast is a non-confrontational technique to promote solidarity, in
keeping with the non-violent strategy of Burma's National League for
Democracy (NLD), winners of Burmese elections voided by the military.  It
frustrates a regime that has repeatedly shown its willingness to kill or
jail those who engage in public demonstrations.  An unspecified number of
Burmese inside Burma will join the Free Burma fast from their homes and
some will visit monasteries and pagodas.

Tensions in Burma are extremely high.  The NLD has called for the elected
Parliament to be seated by August 21.  Soldiers armed with heavy machine
guns were deployed in the capital Rangoon last weekend.  The ruling
military junta has been intimidated by popular NLD leader Aung San Suu
Kyi, and by a rising international chorus calling for dialogue between the
military, the democratic forces, and Burma's ethnic minorities.

"The ground is shifting in Burma," says Zarni, founder of the Free Burma
Coalition, an umbrella organization with more than 100  groups in 16
countries.  "The junta is broke, the economy has collapsed, foreign
investors, even from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, have fled.
International pressure is intense and growing stronger.  The era of
transition has begun, and the only question is how it will be managed by
the Burmese people."

The junta has been severely criticized for its handling of Nobel Peace
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was held for six days at a rural roadblock.
According to US Embassy sources inside Burma, the junta tried to starve
Suu Kyi during the stand-off.  Junta claims to the contrary were termed
3lies.2  Suu Kyi is now confined to her home, a reminder of the six years
of house arrest she endured from 1989 to 1995.

Reports say soldiers upcountry are not being paid.  Food shortages loom.
Neighboring Thailand, fearing an influx of refugees, has been outspoken in
its criticism of the junta.  Even Japan, Korea and France have joined in
calling for dialogue.  "The door is still open for members of the military
who want to join in a transition to democracy.  Some will even be joining
the fast," adds Zarni.  "This is the moment for all to commit themselves
to the vision of a peaceful, democratic federal Union of Burma."

Contact:  Zarni, Free Burma Coalition 608-827-7734
Bo Hla Tint, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma,
202-393-7342
Larry Dohrs, Free Burma Coalition 206-784-5742