[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

S.H.A.N : SDU Appeal to the Tatmada



8.8.98
S.H.A.N : SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION: APPEAL TO TATMADAW MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

The SDU (Shan Democratic Union) strongly supports the call of the NLD
(National League for Democracy), Daw Aung San Suukyi, the SNLD (Shan
National League for Democracy), and other elected members, for the
convening of Parliament.

The convening of Parliament is necessary for the smooth transition of
power to the people -- a transition promised by General Saw Maung in his
capacity as Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(SLORC) and chief of the Tatmadaw.

Officers of the Tatmadaw: the transition or transfer of power into the
hands of the people is not against your interest since you yourself
assert and believe that you are patriotic sons and daughter of the
people. It is in the interest of everyone, including Tatmadaw members, to
have a smooth and peaceful transition unfold in Burma.

The convening of Parliament is the first step in the transition process.
Only Parliament has the mandate to undertake the steps necessary for a
transition. The steps include enacting and passing an Amnesty law,
overseeing and arranging for the drafting of a new constitution, drafting
laws and procedures for new elections and election campaigns, and laws
governing political parties, setting up an elections commission, and so
on.

Officers and men of the Tatmadaw: Contrary to the exhortations of some of
your leaders, supporting Parliament is not a traitorious act. You
yourself participated in the 1990 elections in the belief that a peaceful
transition will take place, and as promised by your then commander,
General Saw Maung.

The SDU hopes that men and women and officers of the Tatmadaw will
consult their conscience and recognize the truth: that they do not have
the right nor mandate to rule or manage the affairs of the country; and
that their duty, their sole mission, is to serve the people, and this
includes honoring the will of the people.

The SDU firmly believe that the majority of Tatmadaw members and officers
do not fear or hate the people. We also assure Tatmadaw members and
officers that the people will not harm them, even though they --
especially the people of Shan State -- have suffered horrendously from
the hands of men wearing the uniform of the Tatmadaw, who have thus
dishonored its name.

We are able to assure Tatmadaw members and officers because we know that
the people are civilized and compassionate. More importantly, they are
also committed to the principle of the rule of law. Furthermore, we
strongly believe that bad elements within the Tatmadaw will be punished
by the Tatmadaw itself, according to military regulations and in
accordance with the sense of honor and decency that genuine professional
soldiers are imbued with.

The SDU invites Tatmadaw members and officers to stand as one with the
people -- instead of against them. We firmly believe that the majority of
Tatmadaw members and officers are in favor of a smooth and peaceful
transition, that they wish to become professional soldiers and restore to
the Tatmadaw the honor it has lost. We therefore appeal to Tatmadaw
members and officers to do their duty as true sons and daughters of the
people. It is not enough to be with the people in thoughts.

The SDU call upon top leaders of the Tatmadaw -- General Khin Nyunt,
General Than Shwe, and General Maung Aye -- to listen to the people, and
like good Buddhists, to stop clinging to delusions, to stop being led by
fear and hatred. The world is changing rapidly, nothing is permanent. The
days of authoritarian rule by autocratic men are gone.

You, as citizens of the Union of Burma, have the responsibility to assist
in the transition. We invite you to come aboard, to help Burma achieve a
smooth, peaceful, and orderly transition.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION
(Kham Zam)
*****