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ABSDF HONOURS US SENATOR MITCH McCO



Subject: ABSDF HONOURS US SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL 



Media Release - 24/99
April 1, 1999


ABSDF HONOURS US SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL FOR EFFORTS AT FIGHTING
FOR DEMOCRACY IN BURMA

The All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF) today joined in thanking
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell for his steadfast efforts at supporting
Burma's democracy movement and providing humanitarian relief to ethnic
refugees along the Thai-Burma border.  Senator McConnell was the architect
for the economic sanctions legislation targeting investment in Burma passed
by the U.S. Congress.  He was honoured at a ceremony hosted by the National
Council for the Union of Burma (NCUB) in Jakarta, Indonesia.  McConnell has
played a leading role during the past five years in providing assistance to
Burma's democracy movement.

"Senator McConnell, on behalf of all students and the people of Burma, I
thank you for your support.  Your actions in Congress have served to
strengthen our democracy movement," said Aung Nai Oo, Foreign Affairs
spokesman for the ABSDF.  "The funds that come from the committee that
Senator McConnell chairs in the U.S. Senate has purchased food, medicine
and clothing for people driven into Thailand by the viscous attacks of the
Burma Army.  Senator McConnell has saved thousands of lives and eased the
suffering of countless men, women and children who live in terror of
attacks by the Burma Army."

Senator McConnell is chairman of the Senate Foreign Operations
Subcommittee, a part of the powerful Appropriations Committee, and is
responsible for deciding where millions of U.S. dollars in foreign aid will
be spent each year.  He has been a world leader in mustering support
against the military regime in Burma, which he has called "illegal,
immoral, and unconstitutional under Burmese law."  

"It is fitting that Senator McConnell be recognized.  He is a great friend
and strong supporter of our democracy movement.  Thousands of activists in
Burma are carrying out individual and collective acts of non-violent
political defiance activities against the military regime due to Senator
McConnell's work in funding projects that seek to spread information on
non-violent struggle and democracy," Aung Nai Oo said.  

Aung Nai Oo reiterated a point made by Tin Maung Win, presidium member of
the NCUB: "It is fitting that this ceremony is taking place in Indonesia.
It demonstrates that dictators who oppress the people and refuse to give up
political power will be vanquished to the garbage dump of history."  


All Burma Students' Democratic Front
For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 10-654 4984