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ABSDF STATEMENT ON THE 50TH ANNIVER



        STATEMENT ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURMA INDEPENDENCE DAY
                                     
                                                  Date : 3rd January 1998


January 4th, 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of Burma
Independence Day from British colonial rule, which governed for
over one hundred years.  Burma regained her independence through
the vitality and perseverance of the struggles of the entire
people of Burma.

Although Burma regained her independence from the British, the
country has been under military dictatorship after only 14 years
practice of parliamentary democracy from her independence year
of 1948.

The ABSDF draws a parallel conclusion that Burma lost her
independence again into the hands of the brutal military regime
in 1962.  Since that time, Burma has experienced relentless
struggles by her people for the restoration of democracy and
human rights.

The military regime, ever the chameleon parading under different
banners, has continued to oppress its own people throughout the
country since the establishment of military rule.

Though January 4th is an auspicious day for the people of Burma,
people remain far away from democracy as recognized by
inter-national norms and greatly suffer from spontaneous abuses
of human rights by the military regime.

'Therefore, the ABSDF calls on the people of Burma to continue
the struggle hand in hand with us, to achieve freedom from
military dictatorship and a return to a democratic system which
will encourage the genuine development for the people of Burma.

At the same time, the ABSDF appeals to the international
community to continue to pressure the military regime to enter
into dialogue with the democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and ethnic representatives, to settle the country's conflicts
through peaceful means.


Central Committee
ABSDF