Dear Mr. President,

We, the undersigned Burmese and Burmese Americans residing in the United States, Burma support groups, and individual friends of Burma are writing this letter to draw your attention to the premeditated ambush on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade during their organizing tour in Upper Burma on Friday, May 30, 2003.

A very recent visit to the crime site by two US diplomats in Rangoon, which was said to have uncovered firm evidences of "great violence" such as bloody clothing, numerous home-made weapons, smashed headlights, and mirrors, makes it obvious that the incident was not the result of a fight between the supporters of the two sides as the military junta had been claiming, but a deliberate and premeditated attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade.

As a result of this act of state-sponsored terrorism, reports say many members and supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) have been killed and scores of others injured. Hundreds of NLD leaders, members, and supporters have been placed under arrest. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was reported to have suffered head and shoulder injuries and taken to a notorious "Guest House" of the military intelligence in Mingaladon near Rangoon. Elderly NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo was also beaten and he also suffered a head injury. In addition to the arrests, the military has also shut down all NLD offices throughout Burma.

There have also been reports of more people and monks being killed by authorities in Upper Burma for protesting the attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.

The incident is a clear indicator that the military junta intends to eliminate the democracy movement led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and we are gravely concerned that lack of strong reaction from the international community at this hour will lead to more violence being unleashed against the democracy movement in the future.

Mr President, we, therefore, strongly support and are encouraged by your call for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, and the reopening of the NLD offices.

We also heartily welcome your Administration's firm position to support democracy in Burma, as announced by the U.S. Department of State in its press statement on June 2, 2003: “The United States, in coordination with other concerned members of the international community, including members of the United Nations Security Council, is considering all measures available in our efforts to foster this transition to democracy”.

Mr President, we sincerely believe that the United States will follow through with its stated goals through the United Nations Security Council and bring democracy to Burma. We wish to affirm our unwavering support for you and all the strong initiatives U.S. is bound to take.

Thank you.

Individuals and Organizations Signed