STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION (SDU)

STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

The SDU welcomes the unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi which is necessary and long overdue to foster the atmosphere of "reconciliation" and "unity" among the peoples of Burma.

We believe that this important gesture and crucial move will pave the way for all inclusive wider participation of the whole population, regardless of ethnic orign and differing political affiliation.

We would like to stress that it is most important to widen the existing political landscape, so that the politics of reconciliation could further develop and compliment the process of democratization.

Such being the case, the SDU would like to urge the SPDC to further release all remaining political prisoners, reinstate all banned political parties and organizations, allow freedom of speech and movement, declare nation-wide ceasefire and facilitate free passage for all non-ceasefire armies for discussion and consultation among each other in order to formulate a "common platform".

Finally, it should be noted that the reconciliation process will only be possible, if the SPDC, NLD and Ethnic Nationalities could work out a political solution and settlement together in a mature and civil manner, as expected by the international community.

SHAN DEMOCRATIC UNION
May 6, 2002