26 October 2003

Dear patriotic people of all nationalities of Burma who are now overseas for various reasons:

The time has come for all of us to work energetically together to promptly achieve the goal of a federal Union that can fully guarantee genuine democratic and basic human rights so that we will be able to liberate people of all nationalities who are leading a pitiful oppressed life under the vicious military dictatorship in Burma.

In order to change the fate of our country we need to become self-reliant and be able to cooperate with each other through unity. The reason for making this call for action is because I strongly believe that the democratic forces overseas can and should play a very important role in determining the future of our country.

On 11 and 12 October, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the leaders from the National Council of the Union of Burma, and members of the Burmese democracy movement overseas came together in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and successfully held a conference that discussed programs aimed at bringing an end to the military dictatorship and restore democracy in Burma as soon as possible.

The main objective of convening that conference was to consider ways of enhancing cooperative efforts among the people of all nationalities from Burma who are now living overseas, and, based on that cooperation, to provide strong support to the democracy movement inside the country and thereby giving a boost to the impetus in the struggle to end military dictatorship, restore democracy, and build a federal Union.

I am, therefore, appealing to the people of all nationalities from Burma to provide all-round assistance to the cause and to be personally involved in the struggle as a national duty so that we can all build democracy in our mother country.

Many of our colleagues are engaged in waging several forms of struggle for democracy. If we are to realize the goals that we envisage, what is vitally important is to establish closer working relationships among all these forces and to consolidate their efforts when implementing tasks. Hence, my profound message to you all is: Let's work together, and let's be united.

Dear democratic forces and patriotic people from Burma,

It is also vital for all of us to work for the emergence of democracy-loving and patriotic Burmese communities residing in many locations all over the world -- communities dedicated to the struggle to restore democracy in our country and intent on working with each together as well as in coordination with the overall movement of the Burmese people devoted to the cause of eliminating military dictatorship in our country.

It is essential for members of these communities to become active participants and contributors to the self-reliant and self-funding Burma Democracy Development Fund which has been established in accordance with the decision made at the Fort Wayne Conference.

I also appeal to our friends, comrades, and colleagues from democratic forces, who for various reasons could not come to the Fort Wayne Conference, to extend their cooperation and support the resolutions passed at that conference.

Esteemed patriotic individuals and democratic forces:

The fate of our country lies in the hands of our people, in our hands. Therefore, it is time for every one of us to clearly show that we are ready to shoulder our national responsibility.

Let us join hands in solidarity and guide our country toward a golden destiny!

Let us learn from the mistakes of our past!

Let us combine our strengths and give impetus to the momentum of the democratic struggle!

Our struggle for democracy must prevail without fail!

(Sein Win)

Prime Minister

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma