Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the 8888 Democracy Uprising of

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)

1. Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the 8888 Democracy Uprising in Burma. The
people of Burma have not yet escaped from military dictatorship; moreover they are
living under worsening oppression. The country is tumbling down to her lowest level in
the international arena with regards to the economy, education, public health and
society.

2. The main demands of the 8888 Democracy Uprising were;

™ To abolish the One-Party Dictatorship system.

™ To restore democracy and human rights.

™ To form an interim government.

3. These political demands have so far not been fulfilled for the people of Burma. The
country suffered under General Ne Win's doctrine: “Sword by sword: spear by spear
and, if the army opens fire, it hits”. This current ruling regime is more reckless than its
predecessor. Nothing is more imperative than their grip on power. The premeditated
attacks of Depayin, the Saffron Revolution in September 2007 and the regime's
ignorance to the victims of recent tragic catastrophe of cyclone Nargis in May 2008, have
manifestly signified the true intent of this regime.

4. The 8888 Democracy Uprising and the last 20 years, taught us four indispensable
lessons;

™ Leadership

™ Unity

™ Political commitment

™ Coherence between inside and outside forces

We, the opposition forces, are still lack of these factors among ourselves.

The 1990 general election, the National League for Democracy (NLD), the Committee
Representing the Peoples' Parliament (CRPP), National Leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
8888 Generation Leader Min Ko Naing, all of whose political leadership emanated from the
contemporaries of the 8888 movement, have become heroic images which needed to preserve in
Burma's history.
5. The country demands only one thing above all else; which is to get rid of the existing
unlawful system and replace it with a government which guarantees democracy and
human rights for the people.

6. On this basis, we must undertake the following actions which aim to revoke the SPDC
sponsored constitution and to defy the 2010 general election.

1) To make systematic preparations to mobilize a general strike.

2) To foster the military activities of armed opposition groups.

3) With strong political leadership, to build unity amongst our political forces through
common strategies.

4) To form an interim government based on the results of the 1990 general elections,
supported by general strikes.

7. These are the political convictions which the ABSDF holds and which have transpired
from lessons, results and the historical demands of the 8888 Democracy Uprising.

Democracy must succeed.

(Central Committee)

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF)

August 8th, 2008.

Website: www.absdf8888.org, E-mail: absdfhq@csloxinfo.com