Meeting with Burmese Democratic forces 

Based in Melbourne

K Room, Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne

Rangoon Democratic Media 26 October 2005

Democratic activists and Burmese community members in Melbourne, including two MPs, Khon Teddy Buri and Dr. Sann Aung, had a frank and open discussion with the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Burma (VPFB) led by the Hon. Hong Lim and the Hon. Victor Perton at K Room, Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne. The meeting was also joined by Australian friends including Mr. Garry Woodard (former Ambassador to Burma), Mrs. Susie Costello (RIMT University) and Mrs. Erika Stahr ICRA Vic.

U Kan Khin Maung Gyi facilitated the discussion. Mr. Garry Woodard, former Ambassador to Burma, Khon Teddy Buri, Dr. Sann Aung, Ko Myo Hein, and Ko Saw Win Maung spoke on the

current situation of Burma, the strategy, current and future tasks and then recommendations to the VPFB. They also suggested a more active role by Australia in coordinating the regional and international efforts to help democratization in Burma.

Mr. Woodard made suggestions to the VPFB to request a discussion with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to get more views on this issue.

We also discussed VPFB support for the campaign to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and also for efforts by the International Community and the Burmese democratic forces to ask the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma. The meeting also discussed reactivation of the VPFB and it’s networking with other parliamentary friends of Burma in NSW and WA and also with Australian Federal Parliamentary Friends of Burma.

Recommendations for the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Burma are as follows:

1) Raise questions regarding Burma in the Victorian Parliament
2) Invite leaders of the NLD from within Burma
3) Organise hearings in the Victorian Parliament and invite Burmese MPs in exile or members of the Burmese democratic movement
4) Adopt a resolution on Burma in the Victorian Parliament

5) Send letters calling on the Burmese military government to:
a. Unconditionally release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners
b. Allow the National League for Democracy (NLD) to reopen its offices
c. Allow political parties to engage in normal political activities freely
d. Cease all human rights abuses, particularly its practice of perpetrating forced labor, systematic rape and political intimidation against the people
e. Cease military hostilities in ethnic nationality areas

6) Support the signature campaigns asking the UN Security Council to address the situation in Burma and explore ways to protect the people of Burma.

7) Make statements in support of democratisation and national reconciliation in Burma including issues mentioned above.

8) Closely work with other parliamentary friends of Burma of NSW and WA

9) Closely work with Australian Federal Parliamentary Friends of Burma

10) Lobby the Australian Federal Government to:

a. Stop controversial human rights training programs in Burma
b. Discourage trade and investment
c. Ban visas to Australia for the leaders of the military regime and family Members
d. Ensure the humanitarian aid for HIV prevention and nutritional programs must reach the right people and be transparent, accountable and independently monitored; and ensure that the aid workers work closely with the NLD in Burma
e. Continue its support of the resolutions of UNGA, UNCHR and ILO on Burma
r. Closely monitor the situation in Burma and regularly consult with the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic leaders.

For more information please contact:
Ko Saw Win Maung +61 422880914

Source: Htun Htun Oo (NLD)

Free Aung San Suu Kyi

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