Today, 8 August 1997, is the 9th anniversary of the uprising in Burma. A detestable dictatorship began to take root in Burma on 2 March 1962 through inappropriate military force and robbed the state power from parliamentary government. Thus the Union of Burma fell under their totalitarian rule. Four months later a coup was staged, and the butchers led by Gen. Ne Win washed their boots with the blood of students from Rangoon University.

On the 8th of August 1988 there was an uprising against military rule in Burma. It was led by students, but people from all walks of life were involved. It came about from people's desire for democracy and fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, thought, presentation and participation in politics. Many people have, on frequent occasions, confronted gunfire ordered by the military leaders and sacrificed their lives for their beliefs.

We strongly believe that the military must be ousted from power and people must strive to achieve a democratic society in Burma. With the cooperation of the democratic forces and democracy lovers worldwide, we pledge on this memorable day of 8 August to struggle against the military dictatorship and totalitarianism. We wish to do this in order to follow up our comrades 'sacrifices and fulfill our unswerving objectives.

Furthermore, although the people in Burma still face oppression and are denied basic human rights, ASEAN has welcomed the SLORC as one of their members. This support has served to be legitimate their power. ASEAN, in upholding the dictatorship, must therefore take responsibility for further abuses and oppression of the Burmese people.

We warmly invite and welcome democracy lovers, whether individuals or groups, whether they are nationals or foreign friends, to cooperate with us in restoring and perpetuating genuine peace and democracy in Burma.

We therefore make the following demands:

1. That the SLORC recognize the legitimacy of the 1990 election and hand over power to the election winners, the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
2. That all political prisoners of conscience in Burma must be released including student leader Min Ko Naing.
3. That the SLORC must accept the political dialogue proposed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
4. That the SLORC must reopen all schools immediately and accept free education system for New generation of future Burma.
5. That the SLORC shall bring genuine peace to the country by stopping all kinds of political, economic and military campaigns against the races of Burma, especially minorities along the border.
6. That ASEAN must abandon actions which permit the SLORC's oppression of the Burmese people.
7. That ASEAN must encourage the development of democratic government in Burma.

We also urge the International community to -

1. Pressure the ASEAN not to fuel the SLORC killing machine.
2. Cooperate and participate with U.S led trade sanction against the SLORC.
3. Take action against those international business corporations who are dealing with the SLORC.

- All Burma Basic Education Students' Union
- All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation
- All Burma Students' League
- Burmese Student Association (Safe-Area)
- Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)
- Democratic Burmese Student Organisation
- National League for Democracy (LA-Japan branch)
- Overseas National Student Organisation of Burma
- Students' Organisation for Liberation of Burma

"WE ARE THE REAL WITNESSES OF THE 8888 UPRISING IN BURMA"