Chairperson Than Khe's Felicitation Letter on the 14th Anniversary of the Formation of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front ( November 1, 2002 )


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Chairperson Than Khe's Felicitation Letter on the 14^th Anniversary of the Formation of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front

(ABSDF)

Date – 1^st November 2002

Dear Comrades of the ABSDF,

First of all, I am very honored to have this excellent opportunity to convey, on behalf of the Central Committee, this felicitation letter to you on this day of the 14^th Anniversary of the formation of the Student Army (ABSDF).

Comrades, as you all have been aware, there is a serious political crisis in our country, which is having a deleterious effect on every significant aspect of politics, the economy and society. Solo demonstrations, mass arrest of political activists, gross human rights violations in ethnic areas, the looting of rice reservoirs and the resulting corruption of the public's ethics are all evidence of this deterioration.

It is obvious that the regime has neglected suffering of the people. Rather than changing the root causes of people's suffering, the regime tries to prevent people from looking for the source of their suffering by using diversionary tactics, such as the publicity around U Ne Win's family's recent scandal. Of course, the people of Burma did not show any interest in it. The regime is clearly desperate to hang onto their power.

It has been reported that talks have been going on between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the SPDC since October 2000, but even Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself is unceasingly asking to start a meaningful political dialogue because the talks have not been of any substance for the past two years.

Although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and some senior leaders of the NLD are allowed to enjoy a small degree of conditional freedom, other political parties and the citizens of the whole Burma are still ignored. Mass arrests of political activists by the SPDC have continued despite the reported releases of political prisoners. Without any doubt, the SPDC never cease their aggressive offensive against the ethnic resistance forces in the ethnic areas.

So where is the new historical era that they promised?

Comrades, one thing that I'd like you to be aware of is that although they are desperate to hold state power, they are not capable of managing the country's economy. That is their biggest weakness. No matter how many times they say that the economy is in good shape, it will not change the devastated condition that the economy is obviously in.

We, the Central Committee as a whole, have been earnestly endeavoring to address the current political stalemate pragmatically, cooperating with alliance groups and umbrella organisations. None of these groups trust the SPDC's claims of having talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but what we all have agreed upon is that we have to exert pressure and conduct campaigns, using any mean necessary in order to bring the regime to the dialogue table. The dialogue won't come by itself. There is no time now for relaxing; we must act immediately; we must use every means at our disposable.

Comrades, in order to address the contemporary political stalemate, we definitely need to build unity among the democratic forces. In the meantime, we have to accept that although we have a common enemy, our strategies are not alike.

Comrades, as we have all concluded the 8888 popular democracy uprising failed because of a lack of formal communication between those inside our movement and those outside, and a general lack of unity. We shall not forget that lesson.

The current situation in Burma are the same as in the pre-8888 days in many ways; solo demonstrations are being staged; the rise in food prices and widespread hunger has become such a problem that women and children can be seen all over begging for food. Based on my fourteen-years of political experience, I have learnt that in order for there to be a popular uprising, all of the following conditions must be met:

1. No basic political stability

2. Lack of basic economic necessities

3. No social security

These factors have been in Burma before, but now they are at their worst. We have to be ready for whatever will happen and we have to be there together when it does.

Comrades, we have constantly worked to spark non-cooperation with the regime, active peoples' participation in the struggle, and to organize a mass movement. Now those sparks are about to turn to flames on their own.

Comrades, to topple the regime, we should not cling to dogmatism; we must be open. Some people believe that the non-violent way alone will bring change into Burma, but if only one way is unanimously supported, the struggle will be longer.

That sort of unswerving stance is offensive to those who are waging a just defensive war against an unjust regime. We do not need to pay attention to such rigidity, but it is important to be aware of it. The most important thing is that we are fully acquainted with the needs of our struggle and of course of our country. Are we going to choose our own way or are we going to let others choose for us?

Revolution must be carried out with the kind of the conviction that I have learned. We must be ready to sacrifice our lives for our political convictions and must be completely committed, never give up.

For instance, U Win Tin, Min Ko Naing and those who are still in the jungle are fine examples of the kind of people who have this strong conviction and commitment.

Despite being aware of the possibility of arrest, torture and imprisonment, the recent solo demonstrators also demonstrated those same noble characteristics. They are heroes. They did what they did without any promise of personal benefit. Surely there will be more such heroes.

Comrades, the ABSDF was spawned from the 8888 democracy uprising and of course we shall never forget that the ABSDF is a legacy of this popular uprising. The ABSDF was founded in the ethnic areas and has been fighting against the unjust regime with the full support of various ethnic forces in order to reach our aims; to liberate the entire people of Burma from the suppression of military dictatorship, to achieve democracy and human rights, to restore internal peace, and to emerge the federal Union of Burma. The ABSDF believes these aims would be the main elements of an appropriate Burmese political setting. We have been working towards them for fourteen years, through political campaigns, military campaigns and diplomatic campaigns. I herewith would like to give tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives and those who continue to contribute to the struggle in any way.

Comrades, there is no space for any form of authoritarian in the 21^st century! It must be brought down! The country can no longer live, nor develop under the SPDC. We must have a change. No one, neither the people of Burma nor the international community, can accept the SPDC's administration any longer. The speed of the change is up to us! I here again would like to pay my tribute to all those people who are fighting for democracy and equal rights for the ethnic groups in Burma.

I would like to conclude my letter by extending my sincere thanks to all those individuals and organisations that have firmly supported, morally, politically, militarily, and financially, the ABSDF in this time of great difficulty.

We shall never forget that the day of the liberation of the people of Burma will also be the day of our return to Burma, flying the fighting peacock flag in the air.

Down with the dictatorship!

Democracy shall triumph!

Than Khe

(Chairperson)

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)