9999 Action Committee, Australia

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Free Burma 9999 Action Committee Australia

Media Release
8th September 1999

On the eve of what could well be a blood bath in Burma, exiled students 
from Burma in Australia, America, UK, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, South 
Africa and many other nations of the world will stage demonstrations, 
protests and candle light vigils to support their colleagues at home.

Diplomatic sources in Rangoon have reported that there has been a massive 
increase in military intelligence surveillance around the major capitals 
cities in the lead up to promised protests by students in Burma.  Many 
hundreds of students and pro-democracy activists have already been arrested 
and the military dictatorship has warned of harsh repercussions for those 
who choose to ignore the authorities.

"The dictatorship in Burma is refusing visas to individuals wishing to 
enter Burma, which means that there will be little or no media present to 
protect the students and their persecution may well go unnoticed by the   
world", said Maung Maung Than, Media Spokesperson 9999 Australia.

Maung Maung Than renewed the call to the Australian Government to recognise 
the Committee Representing the Peoples Parliament, CRPP, the only 
legitimate authority in Burma, established by 251 elected MPs, and impose 
sanctions against the regime until democracy and human rights are restored 
in the country.

In Australia rallies will be held in most of the major capitals and 300 
students are expected to gather outside the Burmese Embassy in Yarralumla, 
Canberra.

Date:  9999
Place:  Burmese Embassy, 22 Arkana Street Yarralumla
Time:  12.30 PM

Media Contact:
Maung Maung Than, on site in Yarralumla, 0411 337 816

Working on behalf of the:
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)
Federation of Trade Unions, Burma (FTUB)
Australia Burma Council (ABC)

PO Box 2024, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620
Tel: (612) 6297 7734	Fax: (612) 6297 7773