Alberta MLAs support Burmese Leader

[khin_s_w@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Alberta MLAs support Burmese Leaders

The Edmonton Journal
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Friday , December 4, 1998
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Two of the highest ranking members of Burma's government-in-exile
requested Alberta legislature support for democracy in their country
Thursday.

Prime Minister Dr Sein Win and cabinet minister Bo Hla Tint of the
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma - pressed their case
to Alberta Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister David Hancock
and to members of the Alberta Liberal and New Democrat parties.

" In Burma 182 democratically elected members of parliament are in
detention ", Win told members of the Alberta Liberal caucus.
" What we need from governments and legislators around the world is
strong support for the democratically elected government members who are
suffering under the brutal military regime."

Added Hla Tint: " We are seeking your support in our campaign to restore
democracy and human rights in Burma."

The National League for Democracy Party won more than 80% of the votes
in the 1990 Burma general election. But that result has been ignored by
the military who continue to run the country, which has known as Myanmar
since 1989.

Two years earlier, in 1988, thousands of peaceful protesters in Burma
were massacred when army troops opened fire with machine guns.

" In Burma, being an elected member of parliament is the worst possible
crime," said Hla Tint. " At any time they can be arrested and put in
jail."

Liberal MLA Gary Dickson advised the Burmese delegation that he would
meet with Alberta government cabinet ministers and with their support ,
will send a resolution of very strong support for the campaign."

Dr Alice Khin, a University of Alberta lecturer, has been assisting the
Burmese delegation in Edmonton. Khin is also the former personal
physician to Aung San Suu Kyi. the head of the democratically elected
Burmese government and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Speaking for the forces of democracy in her homeland of Burma, Khin is
very optimistic and said Burmese people will enjoy democracy and basic
human rights very soon.
The Burmese delegation met with the British Columbia government earlier
this week and Hla Tint noted that
" British Columbia Premier Glen Clark promised us they will pass a
resolution of support as soon as possible."

Last month, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution
deploring continued human rights violations in Burma and calling for the
release of political prisoners in that country.





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