Burma 88 Generation Students vow to intensify protests

The 88 Generation Students announced today that protests that had been ongoing for the past three days will be intensified beginning from 24 August.

Ko Htay Kywe, one of the student leaders who led the demonstrations on 8-8-88, said that protests would continue in major cities of the country, including Rangoon, Mandalay, Moulmein, Bassein, and Taunggyi.

He called on people who favour democracy to join the protests.

“Today, we, the 88 Generation Students, will jointly be staging protests together with democracy activists, members of the National League for Democracy, monks, students who are currently attending universities, and people who love the country and want to see change in Burma.

“These protests constitute our demand to the Burmese military regime that it should release the 88 Generation Student leaders who are being detained and resolve the political and economic problems that our people are facing now.

“I call on all the people who love the country and its future to join our endeavours.”

Another leader of the 88 Generation Students also made a similar call on the people.

“On 19 August, we, the 88 Generation Students, led a march from Kokaing to Shwegondine and from Shwegondine to Tamwe. Since then, people have continued to join our marches. However, since the other side has been trying to stop us and obstruct our marches, people have become hesitant. What must be remembered here is that we did not start the protests that are ongoing and we are also unable to stop them. The movement has its own momentum because people are expressing their will. What I want to tell the people is that, this movement is born from the people because of their will. I, therefore, urge you to be brave in joining us and be bold in confronting oppression and obstruction. The more that we can strive, the better the results we will achieve. I want to urge the people to join us.”

In connection with interferences from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and the Swan Ahr Shin (SAS) during the three-day of protests, Ko Htay Kywe said:

“This is what I want to tell them. All the people of Burma are victims of the system in the country. So, you - members of the USDA and the SAS - should not think that you are doing something good for the country. Try to clearly understand that you are protecting a small clique of people. I appeal to you to carefully consider how you can contribute to the progress of the life of the people and help fulfil the wish of the people. Besides, brutal and anarchic acts only leave stains in history.

“Hence, regardless of the obstacles, I urge the military regime to join hands with monks, students, and the rest of the people to decisively resolve through dialogue the existing political problems and economic difficulties that the people are facing today. That is the genuine desire of the people, including monks and students. I also call on the people to join us in our endeavours.”

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma website, Oslo, in Burmese 24 Aug 07