Press Release

December 8, 2003

NCGUB Calls on Japan, ASEAN to Intercede in Burma

In light of the Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Tokyo on 11-12 December, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) urges Japan and all responsible members of the ASEAN to bring Burma into the agenda of that meeting.

Governments globally and particularly in the region are fully cognizant of the fact that the military regime in Burma is the source of regional problems because of its reckless political and human rights policies. Yet, ASEAN and Burma's neighboring countries are unfortunately not showing much concern to help resolve that problem and may even appear to be somewhat partial to that military regime.

The announcement of the "seven-point roadmap" by the State Peace and Development Council has also become an excuse for these countries to avoid confronting the Burmese generals and to embrace them as proponents of Burma's democracy despite the fact that the green light to murder National League for Democracy members and supporters at Tabayin was given by these generals.

The generals today are as uncompromising as they were during the previous and now defunct constitution drafting National Convention. With that attitude prevailing among the generals, the "seven-point roadmap" will never bring national reconciliation and democracy to Burma.

The NCGUB believes that the Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit provides an opportunity for regional countries to intercede in Burma. For Burma to achieve genuine peace and democracy through national reconciliation, the generals must be persuaded to address the following issues first:

(1) Release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners

(2) Hold a substantive political dialogue with the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of non-Burman ethnic nationalities

(3) Allow basic political freedoms, which include reopening of the NLD party offices and resumption of political activities

(4) Cooperate with the UN Special Envoy and UN Special Rapporteur to assess the situation after the 30 May Tabayin Massacre so that the country can be guided towards a transition to a civilian rule

The NCGUB profoundly believes that a peaceful and democratic Burma can emerge once the process of national reconciliation begins. But that process will be a nonstarter unless there is a consensus, particularly among neighboring and ASEAN countries, to persuade the generals to be more receptive to international and domestic opinion.