KNU statement on anniversary of 8888 movement

OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS

KAREN NATIONAL UNION

KAWTHOOLEI

KNU Statement on 21st Anniversary of 8-8-88


August 8, 2009

1. The eighth of August 2009 is the 21st Anniversary of the people’s movement in Burma against oppression and injustices imposed on them by the military dictatorship in the guise of a civilian government. The ruling party, known as the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) was headed by U Ne Win, former chief of the Burma

armed forces and father of military dictatorships of Burma. All the key positions in the government were occupied by military men or former military men.
2. After 26 years of military rule, mismanagement of the economy, corruption in the government and the cost of war reduced the country to the status of Least of Least Developed Country (LLDC) by 1987. There had been sporadic demonstrations expressing bitter opposition by the students, youths or the workers against the dictatorial rule. The uprising beginning on August 8, 1988 was a nationwide movement against the dictatorial rule. People from all strata of life participated in the movement. It was basically a peaceful movement. However, on September 27, 1988 the generals brutally crushed the movement killing thousands of people all over the country, including many men, women and young people.
3. We will always remember August 8, 88 as a day of heroism of the common people of Burma. The day on which the generals brutally crushed the movement will go down in history as a day of infamy unparalleled in the history of mankind.
4. In the days following the brutal suppression of the movement, many youths and students from the towns and cities braved the difficult journey to the areas of ethnic resistance forces to continue movement for freedom and democracy. The arrival of urban youths and students in the revolutionary resistance areas was the conjunction of the movements for democracy and federalism.
5. Due to lack of substantive support for the freedom movement and quiet but massive support by the unscrupulous businesses to the military regime, progress made by the democratic and ethnic nationality forces is slow. However, there has always been a growing determination among the people as well as the democratic and ethnic nationality forces to struggle on until final victory is achieved.
6. The monumentally self-conceited and power-mad military regime has been employing all kinds of deceit and cajolery to hoodwink the domestic as well as the international community by zealously attempting to implement an important stage of its Road Map, currently.
7. In conclusion, we would like to caution all the democratic and ethnic nationality forces not to be taken in by the deceit of the military regime and earnestly urge all concerned to struggle on unwaveringly, until victory is achieved, with the spirit of those who had sacrificed their lives and limbs in the 8888 movement 21 years ago.

Central Executive Committee

Karen National Union