Buddhist-Based Resources for Relief and Social Change
A Letter To President Obama & Secretary Clinton On Burma's Election
WESTERN BUDDHIST TEACHERS FOR A FREE BURMA c/o Clear View Project 1933 Russell Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 jack@clearviewproject.org / 510.845.2215
1 November 2010
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
As
you know, the upcoming elections in Burma, scheduled for November 7th
cannot be legitimate without participation of the National League for
Democracy (NLD). The NLD is boycotting this sham process because the
Burmese military regime has designed electoral laws that insure that a
rigged and non-representative election will transpire precluding the
participation of Burma’s 2100 political prisoners and other democracy
supporters. As leaders in the western Buddhist community, we implore you to repudiate the results of this upcoming election.
We
appreciate your Administration’s support for a Commission of Inquiry.
We urge the U.S. government to exercise all diplomatic means to call
the Burmese junta to account for allegations concerning Crimes against
Humanity perpetrated against ethnic nationalities.
It is
essential that the international community witness your clear and
unwavering support for the freedom of the Burmese people at this
pivotal time in their history.
We thank you in advance for your care and wisdom in responding to this urgent request and we look forward to your reply.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack Kornfield Tara Brach Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke Bhikkhu Bodhi Lama Surya Das Sharon Salzberg Tenzin Robert Thurman Jon Kabat-Zinn Lama Palden
Robert Joshin Althouse Rev. Susan Myoyu Anderson Sally Armstrong Carolyn Atkinson Pascal Auclair Martin Aylward Rev. Zentatsu Richard Baker Ezra Bayda Mitra Bishop Melissa Blacker Bruce Seiryo Blackman Joe Bobrow Dae Bong Sunim Tilmann Lhundrup Borghardt Merle Boyd Irene Bumbacher Mitchell Cantor Eugene Cash Ven. David Chutiko John Crook Dhammarati Gaylon Ferguson James Ford Gil Fronsdal John M. Gage Michael Grady Elizabeth Hamilton Rev. Zenkei Blanche Hartman Kip Ryodo Hawley Taigen Henderson Joan Hoeberichts Amy Hollowell Paul Jeffrey Hopkins Zen Master Soeng Hyang Mushim Ikeda-Nash Rev. Keido Les Kaye Sumi Kim Kittisaro Liana Kornfield Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton Stanley Lombardo Berry Magid John Makransky Genjo Marinello Rev. Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Rev. Wendy Egyoku Nakau Ariya Nani Ethan Nichtern Wesley Nisker Rev. Tonen O’Connor Rev. Enkyo O’Hara Peter O’Hearn Rev. Joen Snyder O’Neal Michael O’Sullivan Ji Hyang Padma Rev. Tony Patchell Rev. Josho Pat Phelan Rev. Dosho Port Rev. Susan Jion Postal Rev. Taihaku Priest Dr. Christopher Queen Jason Quinn Rev. Densho Quintero Sylvan Genko Rainwater Rev. Zuiko Redding Caitriona Reed Julie Regan Alison Reitz Nicholas Ribush Joan Rieck Sharda Rogell Judith Roitman Sandra Roscoe Rev. Daigaku Rumme Santikaro Rev. Seisen Saunders Katharina Schmidt Gina Sharpe Tulku Sherdor Jason Siff Elihu Genmyo Smith Tempel Smith Ralph Steele Abbot Myogen Steve Stucky Rev. Heng Sure Thanissara Karma Leshe Tsomo Fred Von Allmen Alan Wallace Rev. Jisho Warner Arinna Weisman Kate Wheeler Dr. Jan Willis Diana Winston Elizabeth A. Wood Larry Yang Shinzen Young