Full text: FDL-AP Resolution on Bur

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Full text: FDL-AP Resolution on Burma

PROGRESS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY IN BURMA
RESOLUTION OF THE THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FDL-AP

WHEREAS the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific Region (FDL-AP)
is committed to the aim of upholding, promoting and protecting
universally-recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms of every
person of every nation, and in particular in the Asia-Pacific region;

WHEREAS FDL-AP upon its inauguration in 1994 recorded its deep concern at
the worsening political and economic situation in Burma, resulting from the
continued failure by the military regime (SLORC, now re-named the State
Peace and Development Council , SPDC) to respect and implement the results
of the election held in Burma in May 1990, and formed an ad hoc Commission
on Burma with a view to promoting democratic change and a peaceful
resolution of the crisis;

WHEREAS the UN General Assembly by UNGA Resolution 53/162 (the 1998 UNGA
Resolution) has urged SPDC to release unconditionally all detained
political leaders and political prisoners, to expand and intensify contacts
with the democratic forces in Burma, in particular, those represented by
the National League for Democracy (NLD), and to engage in dialogue with Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders including representatives of
ethnic and other groups, as the best means for promoting national and
reconciliation and the full and early restoration of democracy;

WHEREAS the 1998 UNGA Resolution further urged SPDC to take all necessary
steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of
the people as expressed in the democratic election held in 1990; to ensure
that political parties and non-governmental organisations function freely
and that all citizens can participate freely in the political process in
accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights; to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
and, to put an end to violations of the right to life and integrity of the
human being and to the practice of torture, abuse of women , forced labour
and forced re-location and involuntary disappearances and summary execution;

WHEREAS the FDL-AP, recognising the mounting concern throughout the
Asia-Pacific region with regard to Burma and having regard of the deep
solidarity felt by the democratic forces in the Asia -Pacific region for
the Burmese peoples, is of the view that immediate and purposeful steps
should be taken to resolve the deepening crisis and the political deadlock
in Burma;

THIS THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FDL-AP 

(1) Calls on the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)

-to fully respect the terms of relevant UN resolutions, in particular UNGA
Resolution 53/162 of 25 February 1999

-to enter into a serious and comprehensive dialogue with the NLD, CRPP and
ethnic and other leaders of the Burmese people without setting preconditions 

-to allow free and open entry into Burma, and contact with all parties
within the country, for representatives of UN organisations, other
governments and Parliaments., major non-governmental organisations and for
eminent persons currently denied entry

-to seriously consider seeking appropriate external assistance, by way of
mediation or other facilitation, as a means of resolving the political
crisis in Burma: 

(2) Calls on the National League for Democracy (NLD), the Committee
Representing the Peoples Parliament (CRPP), and ethnic and other leaders
representing the Burmese people

-to continue to made clear their willingness to enter immediately into
all-embracing dialogue with the SPDC about the political future of the country

-to make clear their willingness to engage in a reconciliation process such
as will enable the country to move forward with the cooperation and
commitment of all parties

 -to make clear their willingness to seek appropriate external assistance,
by way of mediation or other facilitation, as means of resolving the
political crisis in Burma: 

(3) Calls on the Secretary-General of the United Nations 

-to take all possible steps to advance dialogue and facilitate confidence
building measures between the parties engaged in conflict in Burma;

(4) Calls on other member countries of ASEAN

-to fully support the terms of relevant UN resolutions, in particular UNGA
Resolution 53/162 of 25 February 1999, and to not only support but sponsor
successor resolutions to similar effect

-to take a pro-active approach to advancing the dialogue process within
Burma by forming a group of Eminent Persons from among ASEAN leaders to
engage with the leaders of the SPDC and CRPP on accelerating democratic
transition, national reconciliation and national reconstruction. 

-to take all possible steps to facilitate confidence building measures
between the parties engaged in conflict in Burma 

-to follow the constructive initiatives taken by Thailand and the
Philippines by considering the development of an ASEAN strategy of
"flexible engagement" going beyond the present policy of "constructive
engagement"

-if no progress is made towards the establishment of effective dialogue
between the SPDC and the Burmese democracy movement, to seriously consider
applying economic sanctions

-if no progress is made towards the establishment of such effective
dialogue, to seriously consider suspending Burma's membership of ASEAN;

(5) Calls on other countries having close dealings with Burma 

-to fully support the terms of relevant UN resolutions, in particular UNGA
Resolution 53/162 of 25 February 1999, and to not only support but sponsor
successor resolutions to similar effect

-to take, in consultation and coordination with other relevant actors,
appropriate steps to facilitate confidence building measures between the
SPDC and the Burmese opposition 

-if no progress is made towards the establishment of such effective
dialogue, and unless the Burmese opposition requests otherwise, to
seriously consider suspending all forms of development assistance 

-if no progress is made towards the establishment of such effective
dialogue, to seriously consider applying economic sanctions;

(6) Calls on Non-Governmental Organisations with operations in Burma

- to fully consult with the NLD on their activities; and 

(7) Authorises the FDL-AP Ad Hoc Commission on Burma

- to take appropriate steps to advance all the above-mentioned measures,
and in particular 

- to seek a coordinated approach among interested parties in seeking the
successful resolution of the political crisis in Burma, the restoration of
democracy, the long-term reconciliation of all parties and national
reconstruction.

26 October 1999

-----------------------------------
A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
Tel: 66 2 275 1811 * Fax: 66 2 693 4515
<altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>