FBC and Its Affiliated Members Expelled from Fort Wayne Conference Committees

On December 9, 2003, the Free Burma Coalition (FBC) issued a press statement welcoming the so-called National Convention, proposed by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as "the first step in the right direction". Moreover the FBC even urged "the international community, especially democratic governments the world over, to ensure that the National Convention goes smoothly and results in Burma's desperately needed transition to a modern, developed and democratic nation in the foreseeable future".

In fact, the National League for Democracy (NLD), other Burmese democratic
organizations inside and outside the country, and the international community categorically opposed the sham national convention. The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 (H.R. 2330, Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate) said "the policy of the United States, as articulated by the President on April 24, 2003, is to officially recognize the NLD as the legitimate representative of the Burmese people as determined by the 1990 election."

An international conference on "Road Map for Democracy in Burma" was held
in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 11-12, 2003. 33 organizations and individuals, including the FBC, participated in that Conference and unanimously agreed to reject the SPDC's 7-point road map. The Fort Wayne conference adopted important resolutions including the followings:

· Accept the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy

· Not accept any political change which is not based on the results of the 1990 elections.

Support and enhance the role of the Committee Representing People's Parliament

The Fort Wayne Declaration strongly endorses the political legitimacy of
the National League for Democracy and the results of 1990 general election.

We are firmly committed to working with any democratic institutions and
individuals within the framework of the Fort Wayne Declaration.

Nonetheless, the December 9 press release of the FBC clearly violated the
Fort Wayne Declaration. Hence the FBC and its affiliated members have been expelled from all the work committees of the Fort Wayne Conference by the emergency meeting of the Coordinating Committee, consisted of representatives from five panels, effective immediately.

Media Contact:

Tin Maung Thaw (Tel: 703-834-5670)

Sann Myint (Tel: 917-523-5227)

Chit Kyi (Tel: 260-433-3610)

Aung Kyaw Myint (Tel: 607-339-7054)

15 December 2003