Attention: The United Nations, All Governments around the World, All Members of Parliaments and Congresses around the World, All International Human Rights Organizations and All Individuals Concerned about the People of Burma
Dear All,
I, Dr. Salai Tun Than, a 78-year old retired professor who was in prison in Burma for one and a half years for my belief in democracy, human rights and civilian rule, hereby announce the following for your attention and action.
(1) Three months ago, while I was in the U.S for a short visit, I have asked Senior General Than Shwe, leader of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), official name of military regime ruling Burma, to release all political prisoners unconditionally, to allow all politicians to freely travel, organize and form political parties, and to surrender unlawfully acquired state power to the original owner, the people of Burma as soon as possible.
(2) To implement the facts mentioned above, I also suggested Senior General Than Shwe three options, which are (A) to transfer the power to the election winning party, or (B) to form a civilian government, which will hold a multiparty general election within six months under the supervision of ASEAN and the UN, or (C) to hold a tripartite conference among the military, the election winning party and ethnic representatives from both above and under ground in a specific period, which is no longer than three months, for a mutually acceptable solution.
(3) As the SPDC refuses to reply my requests, which are the reflections of the will of the people of Burma, I have decided to return Burma today, on the birthday of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and make my voice heard in person. I am ready to be killed as soon as I come out from the plane with wearing prisoner uniform. But, I decided to sacrifice my live for the people of Burma and I decided to forgive those who are responsible for killing me. I am also ready to be arrested and put behind the bar for many years. At this age of 78-year and with poor health condition, I will die in prison sooner as well. Anyway, I will forgive to my captors.
(4) But, now I learned that I was not allowed to board on the plane to go back Burma. I was told that my passport was revoked by Burmese military regime a few days ago.
(5) Last month, Burmese military regime has extended detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi one more year. This proves that they are afraid of this slim and unarmed woman. Now they made effort to block my return to Burma by revoking my passport. This also proves that they are afraid of this old and unarmed man. I am sure that this Burmese military regime is afraid of all the people of Burma, who are unarmed, peaceful and non-violent. I wish all the people of Burma to realize the strong power they have and utilize it for their own freedom.
(5) I sincerely hope that my sudden statelessness and the plights of the people of Burma will wake up the international community to pay serious attention on the situation in Burma and call for an immediate intervention of the UN Security Council in Burma.
I Love You All and May God Bless You All!!!!
Dr. Salai Than Tun Than
Statement of US Campaign for Burma
Dear All,
Dr. Salai Tun Than, a Burmese citizen, a Chin nationality and a Christian, has been refused to board on the Thai Airway flight No. TG. 303, at Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, to go back to Burma today. Thai’s Immigration and airline authorities tell him that Burmese military regime has revoked his passport and does not want him to come back to Burma, even though he is still a citizen of Burma.
He plans to arrive at Mingladon International Airport in Rangoon, Burma at 8:55 A.M local time and be arrested or killed by Burmese military regime as soon as he comes out from the plane. He is wearing prisoner uniform and calling for the Burmese military regime to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, allow all politicians to travel, organize and form the political parties freely and transfer the power to the election winning party, National League for Democracy. He has determined to be killed or arrested for his belief in democracy, human rights and civilian rule.
Please find his statement, which is read at the Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after he is refused to board on the plane and his background history, for your information and action.
Best regards,
Aung Din
Policy Director
US Campaign for Burma
1612 K Street, NW, # 401
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 223 0300 (Office)
Cell: (301) 602 0077
Fax: (202) 466 5189
aungdin@uscampaignforburma.org
www.uscampaignforburma.org