JACDB Statement

[aung@xxxxxxxxxx]

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JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE FOR DEMOCRATIC BURMA (JACDB)
                                    (Sydney, Australia)

Statement on 10th Anniversary of SLORC/SPDC Power Seizure

Ten years ago today, 18 September 1988, a group of Burmese military =
dictators seized direct power for the second time to quell the =
spontaneous country-wide pro-democracy revolution of the historic =
students-led Four-Eight Uprisisng spirit -- the struggle for democratic =
freedom and dignity.

Decades of repression and economic devastation reached its climax and =
the people of Burma were seething from the inhumane killings and =
high-handed responses to their peaceful demonstrations by heavily armed =
soldiers firing indiscriminately into crowds including monks, women and =
children.  Thousands were killed.  We salute our martyrs+ACE-

The military dictators have never relinquished power since 1962 when =
they forcibly ousted the democratically elected government for the first =
time on the pretext that they were saving the country from =
disintegration of the nation.  The truth is that they have manipulated =
situations to justify their actions and to prolong their illegitimate =
rule indefinitely.

To gain international approval of their illegitimate rule, the the junta =
held general elections on 27 May 1990 believing that their own party, =
the National Unity Party (formerly known as the Burmese Socialist =
Program Party), would win and that they could continue their reign of =
terror.   But the people demonstrated a resounding rejection of military =
rule and gave their votes to the National League for Democracy (NLD) =
headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military dictators responded to this overwhelming loss by =
shamelessly changing the rules, declaring that the elections were held =
not for a parliament but for members of a constituent assembly to =
consider a new constitution and accordingly they convened a sham =
National Convention.  But only 15+ACU- of elected MPs were allowed to =
take part in this Convention contrary to their own rules.

Repression has been intensified and the country is in crisis =
economically, socially and politically.  The NLD's consistent calls for =
a meaningful dialogue to solve these problems have repeatedly been =
rejected. =20

The NLD gave notice to the junta that if parliament was not convened by =
the 21st August 1998, it would convene one with representatives elected =
by the people in the 1990 elections.  In response, nearly 200 elected =
MPs and about 800 NLD members and supporters are being arrested so far =
under the pretext that they are endangering the peace and security of =
the country.  Simlar action has been taken against hundreds of students =
who have demonstrated their support for the NLD.

We whole-heartedly applaud the NLD for their counrageous resolve to =
convene parliament to implement and fulfil the will of the people for a =
democratic system of government.

We urge all the Burmese people to stand by and support the NLD and pub =
lic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in their attempt to convene parliament =
and to restore genuine democracy and peace to Burma through a =
tri-partite dialogue.

We demand the military dictators to immediately and unconditionally =
release all the elected representatives of the people,the other members =
and supporters of the NLD and students against whom action has been =
taken.

We ardently call on all governments of the world, all organizatio9ns of =
the world and all patriotic Burmese people abroad to use every possible =
means of pressure on the military dictators to:
a.. Immediately stop their reign of terror,=20
    b.. Immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners,
    c.. Urgently convene parliament, and
    d.. Restore sovereign power to the people's representatives through =
a tri-partite dialogue.

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+ADw-META content+AD0AIg-text/html+ADs- charset+AD0-utf-7+ACI- =
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+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000+AD4-JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE FOR =
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(JACDB)+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
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size+AD0-2+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAJg-nbsp+ADsAJg-nbsp+ADsAJg-nbsp+ADsAJg-nbsp+AD=
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+ADw-FONT size+AD0-3+AD4-(Sydney, =
Australia)+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
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+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-U+AD4-Statement on 10th Anniversary of=20
SLORC/SPDC Power =
Seizure+ADw-/U+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Ten years ago today, 18 September=20
1988+ADw-/FONT+AD4-, +ADw-FONT size+AD0-3+AD4-a group of Burmese =
military dictators seized direct=20
power for the second time to quell the spontaneous country-wide =
pro-democracy=20
revolution of the historic students-led Four-Eight Uprisisng spirit -- =
the=20
struggle for democratic freedom and =
dignity.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Decades of repression and economic=20
devastation reached its climax and the people of Burma were seething =
from the=20
inhumane killings and high-handed responses to their peaceful =
demonstrations by=20
heavily armed soldiers firing indiscriminately into crowds including =
monks,=20
women and children.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- Thousands were killed.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- =
We salute our=20
martyrs+ACEAPA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-The military dictators have never=20
relinquished power since 1962 when they forcibly ousted the =
democratically=20
elected government for the first time on the pretext that they were =
saving the=20
country from disintegration of the nation.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- The truth is =
that they have=20
manipulated situations to justify their actions and to prolong their=20
illegitimate rule indefinitely.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-To gain international approval of=20
their illegitimate rule, the the junta held general elections on 27 May =
1990=20
believing that their own party, the National Unity Party (formerly known =
as the=20
Burmese Socialist Program Party), would win and that they could continue =
their=20
reign of terror.+ACY-nbsp+ADsAJg-nbsp+ADs- But the people demonstrated a =
resounding rejection=20
of military rule and gave their votes to the National League for =
Democracy (NLD)=20
headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-The military dictators responded to=20
this overwhelming loss by shamelessly changing the rules, declaring that =
the=20
elections were held not for a parliament but for members of a =
constituent=20
assembly to consider a new constitution and accordingly they convened a =
sham=20
National Convention.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- But only 15+ACU- of elected MPs were =
allowed to take part=20
in this Convention contrary to their own =
rules.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Repression has been intensified and=20
the country is in crisis economically, socially and =
politically.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- The NLD's=20
consistent calls for a meaningful dialogue to solve these problems have=20
repeatedly been rejected.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- =
+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-The NLD gave notice to the junta=20
that if parliament was not convened by the 21st August 1998, it would =
convene=20
one with representatives elected by the people in the 1990 =
elections.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- In=20
response, nearly 200 elected MPs and about 800 NLD members and =
supporters are=20
being arrested so far under the pretext that they are endangering the =
peace and=20
security of the country.+ACY-nbsp+ADs- Simlar action has been taken =
against hundreds of=20
students who have demonstrated their support for the =
NLD.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-We whole-heartedly applaud the NLD=20
for their counrageous resolve to convene parliament to implement and =
fulfil the=20
will of the people for a democratic system of =
government.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-We urge all the Burmese people to=20
stand by and support the NLD and pub lic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in =
their=20
attempt to convene parliament and to restore genuine democracy and peace =
to=20
Burma through a tri-partite =
dialogue.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-We demand the military dictators to=20
immediately and unconditionally release all the elected representatives =
of the=20
people,the other members and supporters of the NLD and students against =
whom=20
action has been taken.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4AJg-nbsp+ADsAPA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-DIV+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-We ardently call on all governments=20
of the world, all organizatio9ns of the world and all patriotic Burmese =
people=20
abroad to use every possible means of pressure on the military dictators =

to:+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/DIV+AD4-
+ADw-UL+AD4-
    +ADw-LI+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Immediately stop their reign of=20
    terror, +ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/LI+AD4-
    +ADw-LI+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Immediately and unconditionally=20
    release all political =
prisoners,+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/LI+AD4-
    +ADw-LI+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Urgently convene parliament,=20
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    +ADw-LI+AD4APA-FONT color+AD0AIw-000000 size+AD0-2+AD4APA-FONT =
size+AD0-3+AD4-Restore sovereign power to the=20
    people's representatives through a tri-partite=20
dialogue.+ADw-/FONT+AD4APA-/FONT+AD4APA-/LI+AD4APA-/UL+AD4APA-/BODY+AD4AP=
A-/HTML+AD4-

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