Activists agree to work together for democracy in Burma

(By Kun Yekha, Oct 14, 2003)

Exile pro-democracy activists held a huge conference to establish a Roadmap for Democracy in Burma in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.

Burman and non-Burman pro-democracy individuals and representatives from organizations worldwide attended the self-funded conference.

About 300 observers and participants gathered at Neff Hall on the campus of Indiana University- Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). After a two-day (Oct 11-12) thorough discussion in which five panels were formed, the participants laid down several key resolutions for the future of Federal Union in Burma.

Representatives from the five panels outlined a strategy to end military dictatorship in Burma; solidarity of Nationalities of Burma; self-funding, pressure against the military regime by international communities and the United Nations; and a future plan for inland and overseas democratic struggle.

They agree that any transition to democracy would begin with the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of National League for Democracy and the establishment of a federal union nation.

The conference passed a resolution to unify pro-democratic groups' power by working through the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the exile government based in Washington D.C.

The issue of solidarity of the nationalities, which has been the root cause of more than 50 years of civil war, was heavily debated by the participants, which finally resulted in the establishment of the equality and the right of self-determination for the nationalities in Burma.

"Without genuine recognition of the desire for ethnic equality and the right of self-determination, I'm confident unity and solidarity among the ethnic nationalities, including the majority Burmans, cannot be established," said Padoh Mahn Sha, general secretary of Karen National Union and a national leader with the National Council of Union of Burma.

The self-funded panel headed several side discussions, which formed a self-help, fund raising body, with an aim to abolish the dictatorship and to promote democracy in Burma.

The conference decided to step up its campaign to pressure for economic sanctions against the military regime through the United Nations Security Council and to seek stronger pressure from the international community to secure the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.

Not satisfied with international activities, the participants deeply discussed and worked out resolutions including the domestic struggle (inside the country) with all agreeing that the elimination of the dictatorial system in Burma is the only way to successfully achieve genuine democracy and national reconciliation among all the nationalities in the country.

The panelists carefully considered and decided that forces inside the country is the key to success in promoting freedom and the deciding factor in a regime change.

The conference named key players to wage the decisive struggle: (a) the Committee Representing the People's Parliament and the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; (b) the "Veteran Politicians"; (c) United Nationalities League for Democracy; and (d) masses (students, monks, workers, farmers, etc) from all strata.

Of the five separate panels, the panel on the strategy to end the military dictatorship in Burma was the most thoroughly discussed topic at the conference. Delegates enthusiastically debated, commented, and proposed for this amendment.

Attended by more than (30) organizations, representatives from Thailand, Japan, Canada, Australia and USA comprised of National Council of Union of Burma (NCUB), National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), National League for Democracy (NLD-LA), Karen National Union (KNU) and New Mon State Party (NMSP). More than (300) participants from non-violent organizations, armed resistance political parties, including cease-fire armed groups and individuals, took part in the conference for freedom.

After the regime's May 30 ruthless crackdown on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters, the opposition groups and independent exiles have been more active and united to find ways to end the country's dictatorship. Eyewitnesses of from the May 30 (Black Friday) crackdown, Wanna Maung and Khin Zaw also presented their account of what happened at the Depayin massacre.

Nai Banyadean, a conference organizer, said they selected Fort Wayne as the host site because it is the largest Burmese refugee community in the United States where more than 1,500 Burmese now live.

"It's the largest conference ever been held in the United States, comprised of ethnic nationalities from the Mon, Karen, Shan and Chin groups in which representatives participated and shared their views," said Fred Gilbert, a local social worker who devotes most of his time to assisting refugees and immigrants and who is a strong supporter for the Democracy struggle in Burma.

The U.S. Rep. Mark Souder gave a speech and pledged to bring the conference' finalized resolutions to Washington government at the end of the conference.