JACDB CALLS FOR THE AUSTRALIA INITI

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Subject: JACDB CALLS FOR THE AUSTRALIA INITIATIVE TOWARDS A DIALOGUE IN BURMA 

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Joint Action Committee for a Democratic Burma
Sydney - Australia


6 August 1999

JACDB CALLS FOR THE AUSTRALIA INITIATIVE TOWARDS A DIALOGUE IN BURMA

The Joint Action Committee for a Democratic Burma (JACDB), calls on the
Australia government to launch an initiative towards a meaningful dialogue
between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Burmese military
regime on the eve of the 11th anniversary of a popular democratic uprising
in Burma in 1988.

On August 8, 1988, people from all walks of life took to the streets to join
the peaceful demonstrations to end the military dictatorship and to restore
democracy and human rights in Burma.  The Burmese military junta brutally
oppressed the demonstrations and massacred thousands of people.  It seized
power again on the 18th of September and established the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC). This was later changed to the current State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

Even though 11 years have elapsed after nationwide democracy uprising, Burma
still remains under the oppressive military regime and the people are denied
democracy and basic human rights. Thousands of political prisoners,
including elected members of parliament, students and members of NLD, are
still held in detention. Despite this, the people of Burma continue to
strive for the restoration of democracy.

?We would like to ask the international communities to take more concrete
efforts to bring a peaceful solution in Burma.   As the UN and EU are trying
to break the deadlock between two parties, we would like to call on the
Australian government to launch an initiative towards a meaningful dialogue
between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Burmese junta?, said
U Tin Tut, an elected MP of general election in 1990.

The Burmese community in Sydney and Canberra will be staging a public rally
to mark the 11th anniversary of the nationwide democracy uprising in Burma
on Sunday August 8, 1999, outside the Burmese Embassy in Canberra.  The
rally will start at 1:00 p.m.


Joint Action Committee for a Democratic Burma

For more information please contact Aung Naing on 0413335629