Press Release/Resolution of Democra

[maung@xxxxxxxxxxx]

F o r u m    o f    D e m o c r a t i c    L e a d e r s
i n    t h e    A s i a    P a c i f i c  

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Press Release
September 4 1995 
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Burma Seminar Urges Immediate Dialogue, Arms Embargo 
 
for further information please contact Mung Joo Ok, FDL Headquarters 
Tel: 322-4491 to 3     Fax: 322-4494 
 
An international arms embargo and immediate opening of comprehensive 
political dialogue in Burma were urged by participants at the Burma 
Seminar hosted by the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia Pacific 
(FDL) here today. 
 
A resolution adopted at the close of the two day seminar also calls for 
the honorable transformation of Burma's military to an institution 
fully responsible to the authority of a democratically-elected 
government. 
 
Opening the seminar, FDL resident Co-president Dr. Kim Dae-jung called 
on Burma's military rulers to quickly restore democratic rule, a goal 
endorsed by the FDL's other Co-presidents Corazon Aquino, Oscar Arias, 
and Sonia Gandhi. 
 
Participants from 20 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, 
Canada, Germany, India, Indonesian, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, New 
Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, United 
Kingdom, and USA) heard a special message from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
requesting continued FDL activities to promote democratization in Burma. 
 
"We hope the FDL and its members can take a prominent role in Asia to 
raise awareness of the problems of Burma both in individual countries 
and on a regional basis," commented Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the 
National Coalition Government of Burma. 
 
Several participants emphasized that Asian countries should assume a 
leading role in convincing the SLORC to give up power. 
 
"A militaristic Burma serves no purpose whatsoever in promoting 
stability and growth in Asia," remarked Chee Soon Juan, Secretary 
General of the Singapore Democratic Party. "Even from a selfish 
standpoint, it would be in the interest of countries in the region to 
see democracy entrenched in Burma. There is no gain saying that few, if 
any, violent conflicts have arisen between democratic societies." 
 
Suthin Nophaket, a member of Thailand's House of Representatives, urged 
the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations to take a higher profile 
and more positive role in promoting democratic change in Burma, saying, 
"ASEAN can act as a moderator to help resolve the situation in Burma and 
build confidence among the different parties.". 
 
The resolution adopted by the seminar also called on all peoples of 
Burma to engage in sincere efforts to end drugs trafficking and to 
protect Burma's environment. 
 
"The FDL has renewed its commitment to work for democracy in Burma by 
all powerful means," said FDL Secretary General Kim Sang Woo. "This 
seminar has strengthened the network of people dedicated to this goal 
throughout the Asia-Pacific region." 
 
On 1-2 December, the FDL will sponsor a conference in Manila, suggested 
by Aung San Suu Kyi, to discuss possible lessons for Burma of recent 
transitions from authoritarian to democratic rule. 

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RESOLUTION ON DEVELOPMENTS IN BURMA 
 
Adopted by the FDL-AP Burma Seminar 
4 September 1995 
Seoul, Republic of Korea 
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Recalling the resolution on democratization In Burma adopted by the 
inaugural meeting of the FDL AP on 02 December 1994; 
 
Welcoming with gladness the unconditional release from house arrest of 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyl on 10 July 1995; 
 
Noting with satisfaction that the State Law and Order Restoration 
Council (Slorc) adhered to its pledge In effecting Daw Suu Kyi's 
release; 
 
Deploring the continued detentloii of hundreds of other political 
prisoners In Burma today; 
 
Deeply Disturbed by numerous well-documented reports of continuing human 
rights violations in Burma and aware of Resolution 1995172 adopted by 
the United Nations Human Rights Commission condemning such violations; 
 
Gravely Concerned that the Slorc is proceeding with a National 
Convention, composed primarily of non-elected members, to draft a new 
constitution that will institutionalize a permanent leading role 
for the military in Burma's political affairs; 
 
Aware that large-scale import of arms into Burma contributes to human 
rights abuses and diverts scarce resources desperately needed for the 
economic development; 
 
Also Aware that heroin production and trafficking is an increasing 
scourge within Burma and internationally, and that severe environmental 
degradation is a serious threat to the prosperity of Burma and the 
region; 
 
Recalling successive resolutions adopted by the United Nations General 
Assembly calling for democratization and respect for human rights in 
Burma; 
 
Reaffirming the FDL-AP's principle of non-interference in countries' 
internal affairs outside of matters covered by international obligations 
and standards, and; 
 
Belleving that the release of Aung San Suu Kyi provides an opportunity 
for all Burmese peoples to join on the road to genuine peace and 
national reconciliation under democratic rule. 
 
1. BE IT RESOLVED, therefore, that the FDL-AP: 
 
a. Renew its commitment to work by all peaceful means through its 
Burma Commission, Headquarters and National Chapters and liaison offices 
towards realization of internationally-recognized standards of 
democratization and human rights in Burma, including offering the good 
offices of the FDL-AP to assist in, or contribute to dialogue on the 
fulfillment of these objectives; 
 
b. JoIn the international community and support prompt implementation 
of the relevant United Nations resolutions which call on the SLORC to, 
among others things, release all other political prisoners and 
peacefully and fully restore democracy; 

2. Be It further resolved that the FDL-AP call on the State Law and 
Order Restoration Council to: 
 
a. Join substantive dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi along with 
other representatives of all political organizations and ethnic 
nationalities aimed at achieving a consensus among all the peoples of 
Burma regarding speedy transfer of power to the representatives 
democratically elected in May 1990; 
 
b. Offer unreservedly its firm commitment to the rule of law within a 
system of constitutional guarantees, as well as adhering to Clause 20 of 
Slorc Declaration 1190 of 27July 1990, which states unambiguously that 
responsibility to draw up the constitution of the future democratic 
state rests with elected representatives, and; 
 
c. Participate in the honorable transformation of Burma's military 
into an Institution fully responsible to a democratically-elected 
government. 
 
3. Be It also resolved that the FDL-AP call on all peoples of Burma 
to: 
 
a. Seek a new national consensus based on human rights, democracy and 
respect for all peoples; 
 
b. Condition all development assistance on concrete steps toward 
human rights and democratization. 
 
c. Bulld a durable, just and lasting peace on the foundation of 
reconciliation; 
 
d. Commit to sincere efforts to end drugs trafficking and the 
suffering caused by heroin addiction, and; 
 
e. Implement urgent steps and long-term plans to protect Burma's 
environment 
 
4. It finally resolved that the FDL-AP call on nations of the Asia 
Pacific Region in particular and the international community as a whole 
to: 
 
a.Implement an immediate arms embargo on Burma to remain in effect until 
the transfer of power to a democratically-elected government there; 
 
b. Encourage through dialogue and other peaceful means the transition to 
democracy in Burma; 
 
c. Offer increased levels of humanitarian assistance to Burmese 
refugees; 
 
d. Join a democratic government in Burma to end drug trafficking, and; 
 
e. Cooperate fully with urgent steps and long-term plans to protect 
Burma's environment.

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