Media Release: Radio Australia

[burma@xxxxxxxxxx]

26 FEBRUARY 1997
MEDIA RELEASE

DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BURMESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMME BY

RADIO AUSTRALIA

It is ironic that at the very time the Mansfield Report tabled in
Parliament in January this year recommends the possible closure of Radio
Australia and Aus. TV, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asks that Radio Australia
service the people of Burma with a Burmese language programme.

In an acceptance speech to the University of Technology, Sydney, for an
Honorary Doctorate of Letters read out by her husband Dr Michael Aris,
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, ?With its proximity to Burma and with the
increasing numbers of Burmese on its soil, we hope that Australia will
recognise the need for disseminating information in the Burmese language
on the educational, social, economic and political currents sweeping
across the globe.?

While the UK, the US and DVB Norway assist the people of Burma in this
way, Australia falls far short of its regional responsibility by not
having a Burmese language programme.

Further, the mere thought that the closure of Radio Australia is being
contemplated makes one fear for the future of Australia.  There cannot
possibly be a more cost effective way to promote Australia in the region
where our economic future surely lies.  

All those who believe in fundamental freedoms such as the press and wish
Australia to secure a sound economic future must oppose this ridiculous
notion loudly and without hesitation.

We call on the Australian Government to maintain and extend the services
of Radio Australia so that Australia can continue to make a contribution
to the international media and allow those people suffering repression
access to a free press, sobeit, one of another nation.


Media Contact:	Minn Aung Myint (02) 9264-7694
			U Daniel Aung (02) 9646-1015
		Amanda Zappia (06) 2977734