Forum of Democratic Leaders Stateme

[FreeBurma@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Forum of Democratic Leaders Statement on ASEAN's Decision



		FDL-AP Press Statement on the Admission of Burma to the ASEAN
	       and Recent Cambodian Crisis 
			         July 24, 1997


1. 	The Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP) expresses
our deepest concern that on the 23rd of July, ASEAN  has allowed Burma to
join as a full member  in spite of strong international opposition.

2. 	It is widely known that SLORC, the Burmese military junta, lacks
legitimacy as a constitutional government  as it  forcefully seized power and
has continuously and ruthlessly violated the human rights of the Burmese
people.  SLORC continues to brutally oppress the Burmese democratic forces,
forcing children to labor, and enforcing its relocation policy against the
will of ethnic nationals.  The ASEAN led Constructive Engagement  has also
been a target for harsh world criticism from the view point that the Burmese
membership will only strengthen the military dicatorship of SLORC and their
small number of followers while producing  no positive effect on the lagging
Burmese economy.  

3.	For these reasons, the FDL-AP has made its all-out effort to elucidate the
sensitive pertinence  of the Burmese entry into ASEAN upon world human rights
and democracy and to increase awareness of this  matter.  The FDL-AP has sent
letters, several times, under the signature of Dr. Kim Dae-jung, Resident
Co-President of the FDL-AP, to the President of the United States,  the Prime
Minister of Japan, and the heads of the ASEAN States including the ASEAN
foreign ministers to ask for international support  to protest against
 SLORC's admission to  ASEAN.  The FDL-AP conducted letter campaigns in which
we urged our  members to  support our efforts against SLORC's admission to
 ASEAN, hence tarnishing its reputable name.      

4. 	The recent Cambodian internal turmoil is an example which clearly shows
the negative impacts on human rights and stability in the region when power
is seized  undemocratically  through  violence.  

5.	The FDL-AP believes that ASEAN should have given reconsideration to the
admission of Burma along with Cambodia.  Because democracy and human rights
in Burma is also severely threatened under the military dictatorship.  In
this regard, it is indeed unfortunate that  ASEAN forced its decision to
accept Burma as a new member.  Therefore, ASEAN should be clearly aware of
its responsibility for the 
future undemocratic practices and human right violations by SLORC and should
upkeep its duty to improve such conditions.  ASEAN also should not forget
that it will be its vital and utmost important mission to persuade SLORC to
actively cooperate for the democratization of Burma.  


	Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP)