CFOB Press Release

[opirgt@xxxxxxxxxxx]

CANADIAN FRIENDS OF BURMA
145 Spruce, #206, Ottawa, Canada K1R 6P1 Phone: (613) 230 0860
Fax: (613) 563 0017

PRESS RELEASE
January 27, 1995

The Fall of Manerplaw

Canadian Friends of Burma is deeply concerned about the imminent
fall of Manerplaw and deplores the loss of lives caused by the
State Law and Order Restoration Council's (SLORC) attack on this
jungle outpost of democratic resistance to the illegal military
regime.

We appeal to Canadians--individually and through their
organisations and associations--to redouble their efforts to free
from detention the democratic leader and Nobel Peace prize winner
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, together with other political leaders.  We
urge the Canadian government to:

--act immediately to stop the flow of arms to SLORC.
--impose trade and investment sanctions against the regime.
--assist the Burmese refugees now seeking shelter in neighbouring
countries.
--urge the government of Thailand to withdraw its threat to
"repatriate" Burmese refugees now in Thailand.
--request the Secretary General of the United Nations, through his
special envoy to Burma, to demand that the SLORC enter into
substantive talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other political
leaders and leaders of the ethnic minorities.

SLORC's ground attacks and shelling of Manerplaw shows the falsity
of its claims to the world that it has ceased hostilities against
the ethnic people of Burma.  As well as the grievous deaths and
injuries this causes, there will be a large increase in the flow
of refugees across the Salween river into Thailand.  The Burma
Border Consortium, a Bangkok-based international relief agency,
expects 5,000 to 10,000 more refugees to enter Thailand in the
next few days.

Up to half a million Burmese are now seeking refuge in
neighbouring countries.  Some 75,000 of these are already in
Thailand.  The Thai government, anxious to appease the SLORC, has
declared it can no longer receive Burmese refugees and intends to
send back into Burma those who are now in refugee camps on the
border.

Manerplaw, in Karen State near the border with Thailand, was the
main centre of opposition to the regime in Burma.  It was the
headquarters of powerful gorups who will continue to oppose the
SLORC regime:  the National League for Democracy, including
elected members who were prevented from taking government despite
an overwhelming victory at the polls, and who were later denied
acces to Manerplaw through Thailand by the Thai government; a
coalition of ethnic minorities who oppose SLORC domination; the
student-based opposition, and the Karen National Union.

		       -30-

For queries or further information phone 613 237-8056 or 233-7133

**

"We must persevere in the struggle...and learn to liberate our
minds from apathy and fear."
--Aung San Suu Kyi

**

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