Singapore statement

[chalida@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Dear Friends,

The following Press Release was issued by Singapore main opposition
parties to mark Burma's Union Day, which coincided with the ASEAN-
EU Meeting in Singapore.

It was signed by Mr J B Jeyaretnam, Secretary-General of the
Workers' Party, Singapore, and Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General
of the Singapore Democratic Party.

The Singapore press release was one of several activities in the
ASEAN region to mark Union Day as an opportunity to oppose ASEAN's
proposed membership for the Slorc.  

A well-publicized demonstration was held at the Foreign Affairs
Ministry in Kuala Lumpur. The regional launch of the ASEAN-Burma
poster, as well as the Forum-Asia Mission Report on Burma, were
launched at a Union Day ceremony in Manila on Feb. 12.  The poster
was also launched in Bangkok the same day.

Whether or not Slorc joins ASEAN, the reality is more ASEAN-based
individuals and groups will have to mobilize in solidarity with the
struggle in Burma.  Burma will also become very much an ASEAN
struggle as ASEAN governments become infected with the bad habits
of the Slorc.

In solidarity,

Debbie Stothard
Coordinator, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma.


PRESS RELEASE

          On this day, the 50th anniversary of the Union of Burma,
we on behalf of the freedom loving peoples in Singapore and
elsewhere appeal to the representatives of ASEAN and EU meeting in
Singapore to urge the military in Burma to:-

(i)       restore civilian rule in the country;

(ii)      establish the Rule of Law and the freedom of its people
to elect a government of their choice;

(iii)     take immediate steps to hold free and fair elections to
elect a government of the people's choice.

          We particularly urge the ASEAN member states to require
the military government to give an assurance to implement the above
within a stated time before consideration can be given to admitting
Burma into ASEAN.

          This statement is released in collaboration with the
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma and in concert with statements
to be issued in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Tokyo,
Sydney and New Delhi.

     (signed)                      (signed)
  J B JEYARETNAM                CHEE SOON JUAN

Date:     Singapore 12th February 1997