My apologies for the format. -glen ------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"----------------------------------------------------------The BurmaNet News: November 30, 1995Issue #291: SPECIAL ISSUE: NLD BOYCOTTS NATL CONVENTIONNoted in Passing: The NLD was not founded because we wanted a nice and cozy niche for ourselves. We knew that there were dangers involved and we were prepared to take them. - Aung San Suu Kyi (see REUTER: BURMA OPPOSITION PULLS OUT OF CONSTITUTIONAL TALKS)HEADLINES:==========REUTER: BURMA OPPOSITION PULLS OUT OF CONSTITUTIONAL TALKSNATION:AUNG SAN SUU KYI ASSAILS INTRANSIGENT SLORCNCGUB: NCGUB PRAISES NLD FOR FIRM DECISIONABSDF-DNA: ABSDF STATEMENT ON NLD'S BOYCOTTABSDF-MTZ: ABSDF SUPPORTS NLD BOYCOTT OF CONVENTIONABSDF-DNA: LETTERS FROM NLD AND SNLDTHE AUSTRALIAN: BURMA'S HEROES OF OLD CALL FOR UNITY.APPEAL: URGENT: PLEASE WRITE OR CALL SLORC EMBASSY************************REUTER: BURMA OPPOSITION PULLS OUT OF CONSTITUTIONAL TALKSNovember 29, 1995By Deborah Charles(Editor's note: articles on the NLD pull out were also run in AFP, the Nation,and the Post, selections from these have been added to the end of this article) RANGOON, Nov 29 (Reuter) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyisaid on Wednesday her National League for Democracy (NLD) party had pulledout of government-run constitutional talks because they do not represent thewill of the people. ``Our intention is always to find the way that is the most beneficial tothe people of the country,'' Nobel Peace laureate Suu Kyi told a newsconference at her home that served as her prison during six years of housearrest. ``We find at this point that we cannot in all honour support a nationalconvention which is not heading for what the people want, which is not in anyway desirous of bringing about national reconciliation, multi-party democracyor a constitution that will be acceptable to all the people of our country.''The national convention, comprising delegates mostly hand-picked by themilitary government, is meeting to draft guidelines for a new constitution.It has met sporadically since January 1993 and convenes at the whim of theruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). The NLD has participated in previous sessions, but has repeatedly calledfor changes to the process. NLD secretary general Suu Kyi, who in July was released from housearrest, said last week the convention was undemocratic and threatened toboycott. She also repeated an unanswered call for dialogue betweenopposition, ethnic groups and the SLORC to restore democracy in Burma. Delegates from the NLD attended the opening session on Tuesday, butwithdrew from the talks when they found their demands for change to theconvention process had not been met. The NLD and other ``electedrepresentatives'' make up about 15 percent of all delegates to the convention. National convention convening committee chairman Lieutenant General MyoNyunt said on Wednesday the NLD's withdrawal will not affect the convention,which will continue. He lashed out at Suu Kyi saying it was only since she was released fromhouse arrest that NLD's dissent had become public. ``We can see that the attitudes opposing the National Convention appearedsoon after the restriction order to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was lifted,'' hesaid. ``By studying what she said about the National Convention since herrelase it can clearly and obviously be seen that it was intentionallyprepared to spoil (it).'' Suu Kyi said the government reaction could be a threat to her partymembers. She said ``special forces officers'' were waiting outside the housesof at least three senior NLD members, including two, Tin Oo and Kyi Maung,who had been released from nearly six years of jail in March. ``But the NLD was not founded because we wanted a nice and cozy niche forourselves. We knew that there were dangers involved and we were prepared totake them.'' When asked if she thought she might be rearrested for her outspokenstatements, she said ``anything is possible.'' Suu Kyi said she hoped the NLD's withdrawal from the talks will showBurma and the world the SLORC's constitutional process is not democratic. ``They can certainly no longer go on pretending that the nationalconvention is a substitute for dialogue and it is quite clear from what hashappened now that there is no freedom of discussion in the nationalconvention.'' Suu Kyi also called for international recognition of the fact that theconvention process was not democratic hoping it might pressure the SLORC intoa dialogue. When asked what she would suggest to foreign investors who have beenflocking to Burma lately, Suu Kyi said ``I think they jolly well should wait.''BKK POST: SUU KYI PARTY BOYCOTTS NATIONAL CHARTER MEETING(November 30, 1995) added: (Aung San Suu Kyi) stressed the party's main aim was dialogue andsaid the junta was to blame for any confrontation. "Refusing to talk to people whose views are different and tosilence them by putting them into prison is far more confrontational thanasking to discuss our differences across the table," she said. The question, analysts said, was whether the junta would allow the face-offto escalate or whether it would choose to ignore the NLD on the premise it hadopted out of the constitutional process. Burmese authorities tightened the reins recently on the NLD, putting upbarricades outside Aung San Suu Kyi's house and arresting three activists forobstructing police. But a "get-tough" attitude risks backfiring against the juntawhich gained credit internationally when it released Aung San SuuKyi from six years of house arrest in July and turned a blind eyeto the public meetings she held, analysts said. Last week, she told reporters that the convention, which is to frame aconstitution under which the military would be granted a permanent rolein future administrations, was being conducted in an undemocratic manner. "We are not trying to destroy the National Convention," she said Wednesday."We are trying to make it one that will be acceptable to the people of Burmaand to the international community."The NATION ( SUU KYI, ALLIES WALK OUT ON CHARTER TALKS)on November 30, 1995 added:Since her release, Suu Kyi has been "continuously expressingher opposition to the national convention to foreign journalistsant visitors", Myo Nyunt, told the convention gathering. He said Suu Kyi's opposition to the convention grow afterthe US ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine A1bright, metwith her in Rangoon on Sept 9. "One of the reasons for theboycott was non- compliance by the authorities for dialogue. Herdialogue has nothing to do with the national convention. "Her opposition to the national convention became moreintense after her private talks with the US ambassador to the United Nations,Madeleine Albright, who met her in [Rangoon] on Sept 9," he said. Myo Nyunt used his opening address on Tuesday to call forpushing forward with the convention's work. The Slorc "will nottolerate any attempt to disrupt or destroy the progress andachievements made so far. Slorc will not allow any organizationor group to destroy or disturb the national convention", he said.*********************************************NATION: AUNG SAN SUU KYI ASSAILS INTRANSIGENT SLORCNovember 29, 1995 (abridged) (Aung San Suu Kyi's call for "the great majority of the people of Burma"to support her stance received overwhelming response from botharmed ethnic groups and exiled pro-democracy forces, whopromptly declared their support to her cause and urged aboycott of the "sham" convention.Several diplomats and Burma watchers believe Suu Kyi hascome under time constraints and pressure due to the highexpectations of the Burmese people, as well as some NLDmembers who want to see a head-0n clash with the Slorc.Moreover, her calls for an economic moratorium have beenignored by foreign investors, several of whom have decidedto pour money into the country regardless of whether or notmulti-party democracy is restored, they noted.The Slorc, they said, has remained intransigent to anydialogue since it has regained confidence from the steadyinternational recognition and massive foreign investmentsthat have seemingly subsidized its existence.Taking into account Suu Kyi's strong belief in non-violence,human rights watchers and dissident Burmese groups believethe 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate will pursue her peacefulpolitical crusade against the Slorc.While some watchers see Suu Kyi's strong statement onWednesday as her first declaration of war against the Slorc,Dr Naing Aung chairman of the All Burma Students'Democratic Front (ABSDF), described it as a "Cold War".In an interview over the weekend, Naing Aung said the seven-year-old ABSDF movement has for the past two yearsstrengthened itself by combining non-violent politicalactivities into its armed struggle.He added that Suu Kyi's release allowed pro- democracymovements to concentrate their activities on peace andnational reconciliation. "We are trying to urge the peopleto move towards that direction and to apply pressure on theSlorc to hold a dialogue," he said.The student group, Naing Aung said, has tried to educate andurge the people in Burma to adopt the peaceful tactics ofcivil disobedience or political defiance as two possiblemeans of fighting the Slorc."We try to look for some tactics that do not require thepeople to go to the streets. Civil disobedience is somethingthat even small groups of people, or an individual, can do.It can be effective," he said.Naing Aung believes Suu Kyi and the NLD will send partydelegates to the convention and have them try to defend andfight for their positions in the meeting. "If no positiveresponse comes from the Slorc, the NLD will certainlyboycott the National Convention. In that case we will urgeother participants to join the boycott," he added.In that scenario, the Burmese public could utilize severalmethods of civil disobedience to put greater pressure on theSlorc. "They can adopt a non-cooperation approach, or stagea sit-in or boycott by staying home and refusing to go towork," he said, adding the public support and participationare crucial to the NLD's survival.Ironically, the National Convention is the key to thesurvival of both the Slorc and the NLD. If the SLORC manages tosqueeze out a new charter, it will then have more power tocontrol the people and political activists. "Our revolutionwill certainly take another 40 years or longer," said Naing Aung.The political chess game in Burma is still far from over andthe two players have different time frames and agendas inmind. It remains to be seen who will be the first one to say"checkmate". (TN)*********************NCGUB: NCGUB PRAISES NLD FOR FIRM DECISIONNovember 28, 1995From: "soe pyne" Statement Supporting the Decision by the National League for Democracy To Walk Out from the 'National Convention' November 28, 1995 ----------------------------The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma fully supportsthe resolute decision by the National League for Democracy to walk outfrom the "national convention" as it is being staged by the State Lawand Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to legitimize military rule. Weare truly proud of the NLD leaders who have never showed any hesitationin making correct decisions even if they meant risking their ownpersonal well-being.As a party overwhelmingly elected by the people to carry out their will,the National League for Democracy is duty bound to do what is mostbeneficial to the people. In light of the intransigent attitude by theSLORC convention authorities and the SLORC itself, the NLD has no optionleft but to leave what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has described as "a nationalconvention which is not heading for what the people want, which is notin any way desirous of bringing about national reconciliation, multi-party democracy or a constitution that will be acceptable to all thepeople of our country."The NLD has done its best to create conditions conducive to a dialoguebut the SLORC has refused to show any flexibility. We firmly believethat once the SLORC gives up its ambition of establishing a militarydictatorship and start realizing that it is in the interest of everyoneto work together, the problems that Burma face today will fade away.It has therefore become our duty as well as the duty of theinternational community which wishes to see justice done in Burma todissuade the SLORC from trying to consolidate a military leadership andat the same time to give all-out support to the democratization effortsundertaken by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League forDemocracy.The international community must also avoid giving legitimacy to theSLORC's national convention or to its outcome and must refrain frominvesting in Burma or giving financial assistance to the SLORC.Let us all show our firm solidarity with the Burmese struggle fordemocracy by keeping up the pressure on SLORC until the time it sees thefutility of its selfish exercise and decides to enter into a serious andmeaningful dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.The Burmese people will prevail and democracy will come to Burma.*******************************************ABSDF- DNA: ABSDF STATEMENT ON NLD'S BOYCOTTNovember 29, 1995ABSDFs statement on the NLDs boycott for the National Convention The ABSDF warmly welcomes with our heart-felt congratulation tothe decision and announcement by National League for Democracy (NLD)saying that NLD would not send its delegation to the on-going NationalConvention. It decision was expressed in the letter sent to U Aung Toe,chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission on November 28,1995 signed by U Aung Shwe, chairman of NLD. The ABSDF also takes into account the patience of NLD until thelast minute to hold a dialogue with Slorc after they pointed out the lacksof democratic ways and means in the National Convention and lack of movingtowards ever-lasting peace. The rightful decision of NLD could gain the continuous support bythe people to their party and also could clearly constitute the leadingrole of NLD in the struggle for democracy in Burma. This decision alsocould cease the peoples long-time frustration on NLD for taking a time andcould pave the way of cooperation and unity amongst opposition forcesfighting against the Slorc military dictatorship. Slorc is still ignoring and decrying the will of Burmese peopleand NLD. In the announcement issued National Convention ConveningCommission today, the commission said that NLD was trying to destroy thebenefits and fruitfulness of the on-going National Convention withdestructive tactics and also trying to convene another national conventionin which they could direct the representatives to work only for theirpartys benefit. The National Convention Convening Committee furtermoreunreasonably accused that so- called NLD leader, kept asking to hold adialogue without any means of control so as to give commands to thegovernment. According to this announcement, it is clearly be noted the Slorcsintention that does not recognize the will of the Burmese people and theleading role of NLD which is representing a people- elected party. Theaccusation which said NLD is trying to convene another national conventionin which they could direct the representatives to work only for theirpartys benefit is their denial to convene the National Assembly of the1990 election. It is also a violation of their official Declaration No.1/90 in which the Slorc states that it is the duty of the electedrepresentatives of the people to draw up a constitution. The Slorcbelieve that the on-going National Convention which entirely controlled bythemselves is just and right. The response to the NLDs repeated request tohold a dialogue meeting as no means and as to give commands to thegovernment clearly expresses their dictatorial reckless views. We have to forge ahead with restless effort to make Slorcunderstand that their doomsday will come anytime and their basis of poweris not supported by the people. The ABSF hereby express its strongdetermination to oppose the National Convention that is attempting toprolong the power in the hands of military dictatorship. Also the ABSDFwould like to urge the Burmese people to oppose the national Conventionwithout partiipation of the majority of the people-elected representativesduring the 1990 election. Until and unless the Slorc ignores the call for dialogue, we wouldlike to urge the people to show te support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi andher struggle for the democracy and national reconciliation by doingnon-cooperation in the Slorcs national Convention process. Also we would like to ask the representatives of the politicalparty and other reprsentatives of the different groups from the NationalConvention to boycott the on- going Convention with the respect to thewill of people and their own reputation. For thenternational community, the ABSDF would like to call on theinternational pressure to implement the 1994 United Nations GeneralAssemblys resolution urging Slorc to respect the result of 199 Mayelection. Also we would like to request the foreign investment companies anddonor countries to Burma not t deal any investment with Slorc and not togive any assistance until and unless Slorc is moving towards theemocratization and national reconciliation. The ABSDF have the sympathy and understanding that Slorc mighttake some action against their dissidents but we have to take risk withsacrifice to achieve freedom from the oppression. We would also like tourge that success can be achieved with unity.ABSDF Central CommitteeABSDF (DAWN GWIN)**********************************************8ABSDF-MTZ: ABSDF SUPPORTS NLD BOYCOTT OF SLORC'S NATIONALCONVENTION November 29, 1995From: ABSDF (MTZ)" ABSDF News ReleaseAll Burma Students' Democratic Front fully supports the National Leaguefor Democracy's decisive action to boycott the SLORC's controlled shamNational Convention. All NLD representatives who had attended the pastsessions are staying away from the National Convention starting today.SLORC allowed only five NLD delegates and 99 representatives who wonthe 1990 general elections to attend the Convention, representing only on asmall fraction of the total attendants.ABSDF believes that NLD representatives have clearly shown theirresponsibilities and courage to fulfill the commitment to the restoration ofdemocracy and human rights for the people of Burma according the taskassigned by the people in 1990 general elections.ABSDF deeply deplores the SLOC's negligence of dialogue for nationalreconciliation repeatedly called by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLDparty for sake of the entire people of Burma.ABSDF appeals to the people of Burma and international community tosupport democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's struggle to bring backdemocracy and civilian rule to Burma.Central Leading CommitteeABSDF Headquarters, 88 Camp**************************************************ABSDF-DNA: LETTERS FROM NLD AND SNLDNovember 28, 1995>From The following are the letters by U Aung Shwe, chairman of the NLDconcerning the National Convention and by Khun Tun Oo, chairman of ShanNationalities League for Democracy.Letter by U Aung Shwe to U Aung Toe, chairman of the National ConventionU Aung ToeChairmanWorking Committee of the National Convention Convening CommissionSubject: National ConventionReference: NLDs Statement dated 27 November 1995; reference No. 066/org/95 1. The National League for Democracy, with emphasized respect,would like to make a special request to reply to the views of the WorkingCommittee of the National Convening Commission upon the points stated inthe attached statement as soon as possible. 2. As the NLD is especially infavour of the successful implementation of the National Convention, wewould like to inform you again that the NLD is ready to participate inbuilding up a genuine multi-party democratic state in accordance withdemocratic principles for the benefit of the nation and its people. 3. Thedelegates representing the NLD will attend the National Convention PlenarySession held on 28 November 1995 with an expectation that the authoritiesresponsible for convening the National Convention will provide them withits views upon the points mentioned above at the session. Sd/ Aung ShweChairman National League or Democracy On behalf of the NLD delegatesattending the National Convention in the Political Parties Syndicate andthe Elected Representative Syndicate.Unofficial Translation(official seal of the SNLD)To Senior-General Than ShweChairmanState Law and Order Restoration CouncilRangoonandDaw Aung San Suu KyiGeneral SecretaryNational League for DemocracyRangoon26 November 1995An appeal for National Reconciliation 1. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) aiming atthe benefits of the state and its nationals and at the immediate emergenceof peace and development of the country much expected by the people,hereby submit this appeal with sincerity. 2. It is found that the goal tobuild a genuine multi-party democratic is an indifferent and common aim ofthe majority of the people and various organizations. If there is a commonaim, we believe that there will be no difficult to cooperate and to holddialogue. We also believe that various organization are now carrying outtheir tasks, keeping national reconciliation as one of their aims. Inaccordance with these objectives, the SNLD will actively join hand andwork for national reconciliation as well as for peace an tranquillity ofthe state. 3. under the present political situation arising in the nation,the people in the whole country is eagerly expecting nationalreconciliation amongst ethnic groups as well as amongst variousorganizations. We believe that only the solution resolved throughpolitical means, which is the peaceful means for the entire union, will beable to achieve genuine national reconciliation and peace. 4. We shouldalways keep an eye on peace, development and improvement of peoples livesin various states and regions. We believe that it is time to give priorityto this fact. 5. It is the duty of every citizen in the Union of Burma towork for national reconciliation and for the emergence of the stable andeverlasting union and every citizen I to strive for it without exception.Shan nationalities have never wanted any events that would createdifferences between one another since the time before independence andthis policy of ours remains the same to this day. 6. Hence we herebyrequest and appeal sincerely that it is time to strive for nationalreconciliation in order to build a genuine democratic union much expectedby the people throughout the country.sd/- Khun Tun OoChairmanShan Nationalities League for DemocracyABSDF info from SLORC-BBS: NC will be going on without NLD: According to the 11:00am news from the Burmese BroadcastingService in Rangoon on 29 Novemeber 1995, the National Convention will bekeep going on without the participation of the NLD. On 27 November, NLDChairman U Aung Shwe sent a letter addressed to U Aung Toe, Chairman of NCConvening Committe, asking to discuss with the NLD their views on theNational Convention and again on 28 November another letter was sentasking for a response to their request. On the same day the NLD sent itsthird letter saying that the NLD would not attend a National Conventionthat is not based on democratic principles. In this letter, the NLDproposed that the National Convenion Convening Committee should abolishall Convention regulations that are not democratic, to allow NLD to electits new representatives to the National Convention and to work for theholding of dialogue in order to work on these issues. According to the BBS (Burmese state-owned station) news, the NLDis trying to destroy the benefits and fruitfulness of the on-goingNational Convention with destructive tactics. It is also trying to conveneanother national convention in which they can direct the representativesto work only for their partys benefit. The National Convention ConveningCommittee belives that the, so-called NLD leader, keeps asking to hold adialogue without any means of control so as to give commands to thegovernment. After the NLD did not get a response from the government,they stepped up their campaign in order to destroy the NationalConvention. Their actions and intentions are not to work for the benefitsof the state but for their own partys benefit. Their action also ignoresthe national interest of Burma. The National Convention ConveningCommitte will never give up its noble duties to the nation. The NationalConvention will be going on as scheduled, based on the success that theNational Convention has achieved, with the participation of other groupseven without the participation of NLD representatives, the news said.***********************************************************THE AUSTRALIAN: BURMA'S HEROES OF OLD CALL FOR UNITY.November 28, 1995From: Dr Paul Webb Rangoon: Old heroes of Burma's independence struggle have urged thecountry's military regime to begina dialogue with democracy movementleader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi for the sake of a peaceful and unitedBurma.Word of the appeal is spreading in the capital on the eve of anational convention that will; be a test of wills between Ms Suu Kyiand SLORC....A well-placed delegate to the convention told The Australia that MsSuu Kyi's credibility was on the line following her cticism of theconvention and rejection of the constitution it is designed toproduce - one that would guarantee SLORC permanent and substantialpower.I she and her National League for Democracy went along withconvention proceedings on SLORC's terms. she would be "down thedrain".This session of the convention will deal with the key issues of theroles of the executive, the legislature ans the judiciary.ALORC also raised the stakes yesterday with a bitter attack on Ms SuuKyi, saying that speeches at her rallies almost amounted tp a ca;;"Rise up, peasants", and suggesting the movement should be heldresponsible if there riots in the country.The delegate who did not want to be named... warned that unless allsides worled together, there as no way out. Asked if Ms SDuu Kyi'ssupport among the people was holding, he said,"It is more, more now".But he added, pretending to pull a trigger, the army has the gun andshe has the people".The call for dialogue was signed by 23 people who describedthemselves as having taken part in various stages of theindependence struggle against the Japanese and the British. Theyincluded 86 year old Mr Bohmu Ang, one of the 6 survivors of thelegendary 30 Comrades who were the founders of free Burma. Ms SuuKyi's father, Aung San was a member of the elite group.The call was presented to SLORC on Friday afternoon. That night all23 were informed that they would be taken in for a "briefing" thenext day. The "briefing" led by the Home Minister, Mr Tin Hlaing andinvolving police and intelligence chiefs lasted from late morning todusk.Sources say that one of the "briefers" became very angry and accusedthe signatories of being an "offshoot of the axe handle of theimperialists", a reference to Ms Suu Kyi. They were asked whichimperialist had asked them to write the letter.Mr Bohmu Ang replied that they had written the letter because theyreally believed that dialogue should happen.In the Rangoon hothouse, conspiracy theories are flourishing. One isthat SLORC itself instigated the letter to give it a face savingavenue towards talks with Ms Suu Kji.Another is that Burma's 84 year old former dictator, General Ne Winwas behind it. General Ne Win, so the argument goes is still a forcein the shadows. He wants to be resurrected as the benefactor of thepeople and is encouraging a dialogue for peace.A call for dialogue has also been made by the Shan National Leaguefor Democracy, which has the second largest party in representation atthe convention dominated by SLORC-controlled delegates.********************************************************APPEAL: URGENT: PLEASE WRITE OR CALL SLORC EMBASSY IN WASH., DCNovember 29, 1995From: zar ni Dear All,Now is an extremely crucial moment since ASSK has been released. SLORC isgoing ahead with the sham National Convention being resumed in Rangoonyesterday instead of preparing for a dialogue with the National League forDemocracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other democratic forces such as ethnicminorities.Under the leadership of ASSK, The NLD has issued a press statement rightlycalling the so-called Convention as totally undemocratic. If SLORC has itsway, the Constitution which is to be created out of this convention willguarantee SLORC a permanent seat in any future government of Burma. Ourlegitimate leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself has called the convention as"a gathering for paper-reading", as the participating representatives allof whom are hand- picked by SLORC are required to submit in writing anythingthey plan to say for SLORC's advance approval. On the second day of thisnational convention, the NLD representatives refused to attend as a protestagainst SLORC's manipulation of what could otherwise be a first step towardgenuine democratic change.One rumor is that a group of 24 individuals in their 70s and 80s who foughtin the country's independence struggle against Britain sent a letter toSLORC appealing for national reconciliation. All these individuals were"briefed" by chiefs of infamous intelligence bureaus (National IntelligenceBureau, Special Branch, Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, etc.)from late morning to dusk and accused of working for "the axe ofimperialists", i.e., Aung San Suu Kyi.The democratic organizations outside Burma, including the NationalCoalition Government of the Union of Burma headquartered in Washington, DC,have issued a statement endorsing fully NLD's position and calling forpeaceful negotiation between SLORC and all democratic forces led by DawAung San Suu Kyi.Conventionally we write letters to US lawmakers and the UN. However,following partially the Amnesty International's tactics, let us all lanchboth a letter writing campaign and phone campaign directed at SLORC Embassyin Washington, DC.Please do know that the world's opinion does matter as Aung San Suu Kyiherself has pointed upon her release on July 10 this year. And SLORC doescare how the world reponds to its slimy behaviors. The embassies do reportto the National Intelligence Bureau on the latest developments in the worlddaily. (This is the coordinating body of high level intelligence made up ofthe ministers of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defence.)Let's flood the SLORC embassy with phone, letters, and faxes. Address: General Than Shwe (Chairman, Slorc) C/O His Excellency U Thaung Embassy of Burma (please be sure not to use "Myanmar") 2300 S. Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 TEL: 202-332-9044 FAX: 202-332-9046Send a copy of letter (if you write) to: 1). your senator 2). Senator John Kerry, 421 Senate Russell Bldg., Washignton, DC 20510 (fax: 202-224-8525) 3). Senator McKain, 241 Senate Russell Bldg., Washington, DC 20510Both McKain and Kerry want to deal with Slorc adopting business-as- usualapproach, and sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee.You won't be able to speak to the Ambassador. But please ask thereceptionist who normally answers the phone, to transfer you to one of theSecretaries, Deputy-chief-of-mission or the military attache. And expressyour strong support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as the legitimate leader ofthe country and her call for national reconciliation through dialogue.Please make sure to let them know that the rest of the world won't befooled by Slorc's sham national convention.Let's go!!!Free Burma Coalition