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Victory for Free Burma Campaigners



                 Victory for Free Burma Campaigners!
                     
                     18th November 1996
   
       Campaigners for the boycott of tourism to Burma claimed their biggest
victory with STA Travel joining the campaign to support change in Burma.
       
      Today was the launch of the Burmese dictatorship's "Visit Myanmar 1996
Campaign". Burmese students, the community and their supporters staged a
protest outside the Ultimo office of STA Travel in Sydney. STA distribute
the brochure which contains the reference to Burma as a destination. It also
cooperate with the travel agencies which promote tourism to Burma. After an
hour of leaflet distribution, speeches, chants and negotiations, the
Managing Director of STA Travel faxed to us informing us of their change in
policy.  See attached document.
 
     Jamie Parker from the Free Burma International Student Solidarity
Network(FBISSN)said, "Travel to Burma resources and legitimises the brutal
dictatorship.  The fact that STA travel is withdrawing support for visits to
Burma is a great victory for the campaign against tourism and the democracy
movement."
     
    San Lin from the ABSDF said, "From this victory we will intensify this
boycott campaign across Australia in support of Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi's recent
call for tourism boycott and economic sanctions."  
    
     The campaign to boycott Burma is gaining momentum internationally. The
campaign is set to escalate with an Australia wide focus on companies which
still endorse visiting Burma.  The organisations supporting campaign in
Australia are the National Union of Students, All Burma Students' Democratic
Front, National League for Democracy (L.A.), Committee for Restoration of
Democracy in Burma, Burmese Family Sydney, Karen Youth Organisation, Free
Burma International Student Solidarity Network.
      For further information please contact Jamie Parker on 0414264425 or
San Lin(02)9737 8020.



18th November 1996
   
       Campaigners for the boycott of tourism to Burma claimed their biggest
victory with STA Travel joining the campaign to support change in Burma.
       
      Today was the launch of the Burmese dictatorship's "Visit Myanmar 1996
Campaign". Burmese students, the community and their supporters staged a
protest outside the Ultimo office of STA Travel in Sydney. STA distribute
the brochure which contains the reference to Burma as a destination. It also
cooperate with the travel agencies which promote tourism to Burma. After an
hour of leaflet distribution, speeches, chants and negotiations, the
Managing Director of STA Travel faxed to us informing us of their change in
policy.  See attached document.
 
     Jamie Parker from the Free Burma International Student Solidarity
Network(FBISSN)said, "Travel to Burma resources and legitimises the brutal
dictatorship.  The fact that STA travel is withdrawing support for visits to
Burma is a great victory for the campaign against tourism and the democracy
movement."
     
    San Lin from the ABSDF said, "From this victory we will intensify this
boycott campaign across Australia in support of Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi's recent
call for tourism boycott and economic sanctions."  
    
     The campaign to boycott Burma is gaining momentum internationally. The
campaign is set to escalate with an Australia wide focus on companies which
still endorse visiting Burma.  The organisations supporting campaign in
Australia are the National Union of Students, All Burma Students' Democratic
Front, National League for Democracy (L.A.), Committee for Restoration of
Democracy in Burma, Burmese Family Sydney, Karen Youth Organisation, Free
Burma International Student Solidarity Network.
      For further information please contact Jamie Parker on 0414264425 or
San Lin(02)9737 8020.
18 November 1996

All Burma Students' Democratic Front
National League for Democracy(L.A), Committee for the Restoration of
Democracy in Burma
Burmese Family Sydney
Karen Youth Organisation
Free Burma International Student Solidarity Network


Dear Friends,

Thank You for drawing our attention to a brochure containing reference to
Burma. 

STA Travel does not support the current regime in Burma.

STA Travel would like to join in the campaign in support of change in Burma.

To this end, We have advised our branches to cease selling Burma as a
destination and will amend/revise promotional material accordingly.

We would also like to meet with the relevant organisations to discuss the
possibilities of a joint campaign to raise  public awareness.



Yours sincerely,
STA Travel Pty Ltd.




Paul Carrick
Managing Director