Monday, August 8, 2011

‘88’ students urge government, ethnic groups to hold dialogue

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Monday, 08 August 2011 12:13 Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – To mark the 23rd anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising on Monday, the 88-Generation Students group urged the Burmese government and armed ethnic groups to negotiate cease-fires and to create a peaceful Union.

A file photograph of the 1988 student demonstrations
in Rangoon.
Soe Tun, a leader of 88-generation students, said in a statement on Friday: “The new government has launched military offensive against armed groups in border areas, causing refugees to flee and suffer many hardships.”

The 88-Generation Students group is an underground dissident group.

Soe Tun told Mizzima that to establish peace in the country, the government should be magnanimous in solving political problems via political means and both sides should build mutual trust and understanding.

“While all ethnic groups want to solve political problems via political means for the sake of peace, the ruling government is the strongest, and the most powerful should be magnanimous to effectively solve the problems,” Soe Tun said.

The student group said it welcomed the meeting on July 25 between Aung San Suu Kyi and Minister Aung Kyi, and urged them to work toward national reconciliation.

“They have not fixed a date for the next meeting. That shouldn’t be. I want them to work more effectively. Our country has lagged badly behind other countries, and neighbouring countries are exploiting our country. This is a very critical time. Our country has become very poor. They should take action as soon as possible,” he said.

Soe Tun said the group supported the Kachin Independence Organization’s demand for a nationwide cease-fire and permanent peace is needed, otherwise alleviation of poverty can not be successful.

The 88-Generation Students group also urged the government to show that it really wanted national reconciliation by immediately releasing all political prisoners including the leaders of the 88-generation students.

Meanwhile, on Monday, several 88 generation student leaders including former political prisoners Phyo Min Thein and Myo Yan Naung Thein will hold a robe donation ceremony in the Sadu Pariyatti Monastery in Kyimyindaing Township in Rangoon to mark the 23rd anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.

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