Global Action Campaign Launched

19 June 2003 and beyond

Dear Colleagues and Friends of Burma

As you are no doubt aware, a great injustice was done to the people of Burma by the military and its affiliated thugs on 30 May. From eye witness accounts and news agency reports, a clearer picture has begun to emerge about the attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and entourage near Tabayin. Soldiers, police, and others, including convicts dressed as monks recruited with a promise of reward and freedom, were involved in stopping and brutally attacking the motorcade of National League for Democracy members. Scores of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's followers and supporters were killed when the attackers beat them with clubs and stabbed them bamboo stakes.

Following the premeditated attack, the generals arrested Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD leaders and members, and closed down NLD offices. They flagrantly blame the NLD for perpetrating "undisciplined" and "undemocratic" acts which they said were the cause of the incident. Their obvious intention is to eliminate the democracy movement in Burma.

United Nations Special Envoy Mr. Razali who recently met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi recently has said she "is well and in very strong spirits" but cannot confirm where she is being held. The international community is now focused on freeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But we need to look beyond freeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a goal because the ultimate objective of the democracy movement led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to restore democracy in Burma and not just her freedom.

Hence, the Burmese democracy movement outside the country, all friends of Burma, and the international community at large, including governments, should not let the Burmese generals dictate how long Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will remain under "protective custody" or when the process of national reconciliation will start. They must continue to increase pressure, and strongly demand the immediate holding of substantive political talks, the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, and the restoration of freedom of travel to all.

Presently, the generals are coming up with different excuses to justify the recent premeditated ambush and murder of NLD members. We must all stand up to the generals at this stage and strongly insist that what we want to see is an immediate resumption of substantive political talks and not political maneuvering by the generals.

Presently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma are in desperate need of strong and reliable friends internationally, and we are confident that you will all lend your unwavering support at this hour of need.

Many Burma support groups and activists have suggested the launching of a Global Action Campaign beginning from 19 June 2003 -- the birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Women of Burma Day -- to support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese democracy movement. The NCGUB and the Members of Parliament Union-Burma endorse this call and will be coordinating supportive action together with the Burmese community, Free Burma activists, labor unions, and all other friends of Burma. We have prepared a list of campaign activities that individuals, organizations, and/or groups can take.

Let us continue this campaign until our objective is met in Burma. Our action will show the generals that support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement is alive and strong globally as it is inside the country.

With efforts from all of us and assistance from friends, we know Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those working for democracy in Burma will prevail.

NCGUB (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma)
MPU (Members of Parliament Union--Burma)