NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT

UNION OF BURMA
77 South Washington Street, Suite 308, Rockville, MD 20850 Tel: (301) 424-4810 Fax (301) 424-4812

Press Release October 27, 2008

CREDIBILITY ON THE LINE

Burma's opposition calls for firmer commitments to democracy

Washington DC, October 27,2008:- The Burmese government in exile has called for a goal-
oriented and time-bound process to help bring democratic reform to Burma and has
suggested that the credibility of major regional and global bodies is on the line as long as
Burma remains a failed state. In doing so, it has proposed a new initiative to help recover
democracy in Burma.

The calls come in the wake of the Asean-Europe (ASEM) conference at the weekend where
more support was recorded, but were devoid of details or a firm timeframe. In a statement the
ASEM chairman was supportive of a range of measures to encourage democracy in Burma,
including the role of the United Nations and the release of political prisoners.

“But,” says the NCGUB's Representative for UN Affairs, Dr Thaung Htun, “whereas the
statements carried good words, they lacked in actual intent.”

“Forums such as this often run the risk of mistaking circular motion for forward progress,
mere movement for momentum”

Dr. Thaung Htun challenged regional and global leaders to “pump some blood into the
rhetoric” by gaining the immediate release of the country's 2000-plus political prisoners,
including democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“As long as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, one of our generation's most revered figures, remains
locked up by an unaccountable and irresponsible regime, the international community is
forced to admit it is failing in Burma and has failed for some 20 years.”

“For instance, we have these statements coming from ASEM, but at the same time
governments in China, India and Thailand, attendees at ASEM, are actively trading with the
military, investing in infrastructure to aid the survival of the junta and ignoring the rights and
suffering of ordinary Burmese. Either such engagement must be done more prudently and
sustainably, or it should be stopped. It is a clear contradiction of the spirit of ASEM's pro-
democracy statements.”

The NCGUB is constituted and endorsed by representatives elected in the 1990 elections in Burma
While the NCGUB points out they are broadly supportive of the positive work of ASEM, as
well as of other institutions such as ASEAN, the EU and the UN, it is becoming frustrated
with the lack of more detailed commitments or a firmer agenda to solve Burma's long-
standing problems.

“All must understand that a democratic and prosperous Burma is in everyone's interests. A
smooth transition to democracy is clearly win-win. What we need is some firm targets,
mechanisms and deadlines to help us get there.”

To this end, the NCGUB has called for the establishment of a moving round of conferences
of the UN's Friends of Burma Group in the region so as to formulate benchmarks and
establish time-frames.

“It is time to put some crosses on the calendar and to get to work on ensuring democracy in
Burma is not denied for another generation.”

Note for Editors:

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) is a government-in-
exile constituted by members of parliament elected in 1990, Burma’s last free and fair
national elections in which the National League for Democracy won over 80% of the vote.
Since 1991, it has served as a representative government in exile and is headquartered in
Washington, D.C.

The NCGUB is constituted and endorsed by representatives elected in the 1990 elections in Burma