Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
Fort Wayne (USA), September 1, 2003

Burma’s democracy activists and ethnic nationalities have sought more punitive actions against the ruling military regime in Burma for failing to release their leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and for not making any action toward the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma.

The decision to seek stronger punitive actions from international community and to intensify their campaign ousting the military regime was taken in their two-day strategic meeting on Burma held from 30 to 31 August 2003 at Fort Wayne, USA.

The Burmese activists and the ethnic nationalities representing various Burma democracy campaign networks and organizations residing in different parts of the world participated in the strategic meeting which focused on the future course of actions for Burma’s democracy.

They also denounced the recent cabinet reshuffle in Burma and the regime’s so-called road map for “democratic changes” in the country.

“It (regime’s road map) is nothing but a ploy to prolong the tyrannical military rule in Burma and to hoodwink the international community”, said Win Moe from US-based Justice for Human Rights in Burma.

The exiled activists have also appealed to the international community particularly governments of Burma’s neighbours to support their struggle to end the military dictatorship in Burma.

“Instead of releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she was made a scapegoat for all the country’s evil by General Khin Nyunt and the regime”.

Burma’s democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been put under detention by the military regime since May 30 this year was reportedly on a hunger strike. Burmese activists in different parts of the world have today called for a worldwide hunger strike to show solidarity with their imprisoned leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to condemn the regime.

“We want unconditional release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The regime must be immediately stepped down from power”, said Zarni, a democracy campaigner from Washington-based Free Burma Coalition.

The two-day meeting was attended by the representatives from National
League for Democracy (Fort Wayne), Justice for Human Rights in Burma, Free Burma Coalition, Ethnic Nationalities Youths and Intelligentsia, Exiled Members of All Burma Federation of Students’ Union and Civil Society for Burma.