KNU Bulletin No. 26, August 1992

18 AUGUST, 1992 KNU-BULLETIN NO. 26
Much of this has happened parallel to the SLORC's offensive on
Manerplaw, headquarters of the Karen National Union and many other
organisations struggling to free Burma. But when the SLORC Generals saw
that their offensive was a failure and they were about to be bogged down
by rainy season, they announced the suspension of the offensive in Karen
State in the name of "national solidarity". However, since that
announcement, they have fortified their offensive positions and
escalated their campaign of mass relocations of Karen villagers to
concentration camps, looting and burning many villages in the process.
Many Karen villagers are still being arrested, tortured, and killed, and
the SLORC is clearly preparing to launch a fresh offensive against the
KNU and other nationality forces after the rainy season.
Given all the above circumstances, it is clear that the SLORC has no
interest whatever in national unity, peace, or democracy, and their
National Convention can bear absolutely no meaning.
The SLORC itself has repeatedly declared that it is only a military
government, not a political one, and therefore cannot discuss political
issues. Former SLORC chairman General Saw Maung repeatedly declared
before 1990 that political power would be transferred to the party that
won the election. In that election, the people elected the National
League for Democracy as their Government, yet over two years later the
SLORC still clings to power. Therefore the SLORC is a completely
illegitimate government, and has no right to convene a National
Convention nor even to participate in one. It is clear that the SLORC
is only calling this National Convention as another tactic to prolong
their hold on power by trying to mislead the people and ease foreign
pressure.
The Karen National Union desires real unity through a genuine Federal
Union. We desire real peace, true democracy, human rights and the right
to self-determination. To bring about these objectives, the Karen
National Union would like to participate in a true National Convention.
But we believe that such a Convention can only be convened by a
legitimate government chosen by the people, and only under the following
circumstances:
1) The SLORC must first declare an unconditional nationwide
ceasefire.
2) All political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, must be
released unconditionally.
3) All declarations making political parties and revolutionary
organisations illegal must be rescinded.
4) Martial law must be unconditionally abolished.
5) Leaders of all representative organisations, such as the NLD, DAB
(Democratic Alliance of Burma), NDF (National Democratic Front),
and UNLD (United Nationalities League for Democracy), should be
allowed to attend and participate in the National Convention.
The KNU solemnly declares any National Convention held without the
above conditions to be illegitimate and illegal.
June 22, 1992
Central Committee
Karen National Union