''The Political Intervention of the International Community is Critical.''

7 July 2003

Among the ASEAN family of countries, Burma's instability in politics that has led the country into economic and social problems now threatens the regional peace and stability. It is a fact which leaders of the regional governments have come to accept and even recently started giving voice to their concerns about the rapidly deteriorating situation.

Lack of democracy and the waging of genocidal war against the ethnic nationalities by the military junta create a flow of political refugees and migrants into neighboring countries. The lack of rule of law gives rise to the manufacturing of narcotics, which also flow into neighboring countries and beyond, and create social problems and security issues for all concerned.

Not satisfied with denying the mandate of the 1990 election and refusing to hand over power to the NLD party, the junta had been doing their best to eliminate the NLD party. The recent premeditated attack of (30) May is proof that the opportunity for progress through "setting up the basic foundation of a genuine multi-party democratic system" for the people of Burma is likely to be eradicated, and, we can never allow this to happen.

Stopping the oppression by the military dictatorship of the ethnic nationalities is imperative to the development, peace and stability of Burma. The prolonged conflict has broadened and deepened. It is now evident that these problems can not be solved by just the people of Burma but need the unavoidable political intervention of the world community.

The premeditated May (30) Depaeyin crime was committed by the SPDC military junta to bring the country to total chaos and is in total disregard of the many Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on Burma and shows that military junta has absolutely no respect for a dialogue process.

The UN Secretary General had tasked his special envoy Mr. Razali Ismail to execute the UN Resolutions, but sad to say his efforts are not acknowledged by the junta. This indicates not only the lack of enforcement in the UN efforts, but also the need for a change in the approach.

We call upon the international community and the United Nations to coordinate all their efforts and request the United Nations' Security Council to take an active part in the "Burma Peace Process".

We would like the UN Security Council to develop and implement an effective mechanism to convene the people's parliament and hand over power according to the will of the peoples as expressed in the 1990 election results. Only then lasting peace, development, and progress will be seen in Burma and only then can it become a dignified member of the ASEAN.

Media Contact: U Bo Hla Tint - Minister- NCGUB - 61-04-42-2812
U Aung Moe Zaw – General Secretary- NCUB- 66 (0) 9 850 3603