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ABSDF CALLS ON THE JUNTA TO ALLOW D



Subject: ABSDF CALLS ON THE JUNTA TO ALLOW DR. MICHAEL ARIS ENTRY VISA



Media Release - 20/99
March 21, 1999


ABSDF CALLS ON THE JUNTA TO ALLOW DR. MICHAEL ARIS ENTRY VISA

The All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) calls on the Burmese
military regime to issue an entry visa on humanitarian grounds without
delay to Dr. Michael Aris, husband of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi, to allow him to see his wife before he dies. 

This call is made after the junta's repeated refusal to allow Dr. Aris to
enter Burma, rejecting pleas from the international community.  The ABSDF
said that the military should not take advantage of the fact that Michael
Aris is the husband of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Burmese military leaders
have repeatedly used the state-run media to urge Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to
leave the country. 

ABSDF spokesman Aung Naing Oo said that that Mr. Aris' visa application is
not a political issue and the military should not make it into one.

"It is just a dying man's wish to see his wife one last time. For once, the
military should adopt a humane policy to let Dr. Aris see his wife. Being
Buddhists, the military leaders should not go against Buddha's teachings of
"metta" (loving kindness) merely because they hate his wife."   

Dr. Michael Aris has been suffering from prostate cancer and his condition
is reported to be serious. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not left Burma to see
her husband for fear of not being allowed to return.

The ABSDF also warns that further delay in granting a visa to Dr. Aris will
cost the Burmese regime dearly. Continued rejection of the application will
result in a feeling of disgust from the international community as well as
from the Burmese people, further perpetuating the regime's status as pariah. 

The ABSDF calls on the international community, particularly Asean members,
to convince the military junta of the benefits of allowing Dr. Aris to
enter Burma.


All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984