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MESSAGE TO THE FDL-AP CONFERENCE
In her message to participants of the Conference on "New NGO Strategy for Democratization in Burma" organised by the FDL-AP (Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia Pacific), NLD leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi called on international supporters of the Burma cause to "support us firmly".
Full text of her brief audio message which was smuggled out of Burma follows:
TRANSCRIPT OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S MESSAGE TO THE FDLAP CONFERENCE June 23-24, 1999
We have now entered the second decade of our struggle for democracy in Burma. It is a very difficult time for us, but it is also a time for much inspiration and hope. For more than ten years our people have stood firmly by the cause of democracy and human rights. The members of the National League for Democracy have been persecuted and harassed at almost every turn of their lives. Yet the majority of them have stood firmly by their beliefs and are prepared to continue to sacrifice much of their personal happiness and comfort for their belief in a better future for our country.
At this time we would like our friends from all over the world to support us firmly. Everything that is done with regard to Burma, should be done with a view to helping us to achieve good governance. Good governance means transparency, accountability, respect for the people. Good governance means democratic government. Whether it is governments, United Nations agencies, or international NGOs, any help that they give Burma should be conditional on progress toward democratisation. No help that is given without such conditions will be truly of any help to our people. We need democracy in order that our people may be able to live in security and peace, and achieve prosperity. We would like to appeal to international organisations and governments to help us bring about a peaceful transition to a democratic government in Burma.
The military regime often accuses the National League for Democracy of inflexibility. We have done everything we can to try to bring about a dialogue that will help us find solutions to the problems of our country. It is the military regime that is opposed to dialogue. We would like the world to look clearly at what is happening and to see where the inflexibility really lies. The National League for Democracy represents the people of Burma and their desire for a fair, just, democratic government. It is my hope that this conference, held in a country which is beginning to enjoy the fruits of democracy, will be able to help us to achieve our aims quickly and peacefully.
I would also like to express the hope that one day soon, we too, will be able to hold such conferences in our country and make our own contribution to the cause of democracy and human rights in our world.
Aung San Suu Kyi