BurmaNet News, June 28, 2007

[Editor]

June 28, 2007 Issue # 3236

INSIDE BURMA
Mizzima News: 88 students urge junta to create democratic political
environment
Irrawaddy: “Free Suu Kyi” campaigners released
IMNA: Stepping down as junta's puppets from USDA
Irrawaddy: Father of six killed by regime troops, family complain

ON THE BORDER
Mizzima News: India talks tough with Burma on border killing
Narinjara News: Bangladesh authorities suspect Arakanese rebel group in
abduction

BUSINESS / TRADE
KNG: Chinese account for highest number of tourists to Myitsone

REGIONAL
ChennaiOnline: Myanmar, Pak nationals escape from camp

INTERNATIONAL
AFP: US calls for 'immediate' release of Myanmar AIDS activist
AFP: ICRC slams systematic mass abuse by Myanmar's military
Irrawaddy: Australian immigration process offers hope, long wait

OPINION / OTHER
SHAN: The truth and legality of the “Panglong agreement” - Sao Noan Oo aka
Nel Adams

PRESS RELEASE
The 88 Generation Students: The 88 Generation Students' policy
announcement regarding emergence of the State constitution

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

June 28, Mizzima News
88 students urge junta to create democratic political environment - Mungpi

Burma's prominent student activists of the 88 generation urged the ruling
military junta to create a political environment, which will allow free,
frank and friendly discussions among all political stake holders in order
to restore democracy in the country.

While welcoming the junta's announcement to reconvene the National
Convention's last session in July, 88 generation students in a statement
released today said a political environment is essential to allow an
inclusive and open dialogue between all political players.

"We are hopeful following the announcement by Lt-Gen Thein Sein on the
winding-up of the National Convention but we believe that the 1990 general
election winners cannot be ignored and undermined," Pyone Cho, an 88
generation student, told Mizzima.

"It has to be all inclusive and for that to happen, all stake holders
should work for the creation of a democratic political environment where
there can be free, frank and friendly discussions," added Pyone Cho.

Citing the junta's announcement on reconvening the constitution drafting
convention on July 18, the students urged the junta and opposition groups
– the National League for Democracy and ethnic political parties – to
exert maximum effort for "a political environment and reach a negotiated
settlement which will be acceptable by the people of Burma."

Meanwhile, rumours have spread in the Burmese political community in exile
that 88 students Ko Ko Gyi, Min Ko Naing and NLD party leaders U Liwn and
U Aung Shwe, yesterday met the authorities to discuss matters related to
the National Convention.

However, both the students and the NLD leaders denied any such meeting.

Pyone Cho, a 88 generation student, however, said that they are aware of
the rumours and think that it reflects the people's desire to make things
take such a turn.

"While no such meeting took place, we believe that people are wondering
whether such a meeting could take place, and that it should happen even
with people inside Burma," Pyone Cho added.

Ko Ko Gyi, however, said, "There has been no such meeting. And so far
there are also no plans both by the authorities and from us. But that's
not the most important thing, what is essential is an inclusive dialogue
between all political actors."

NLD's U Lwin also explicitly denied the rumours saying, "I am not feeling
well these days and could not even go to our office. There has been no
such meeting."

____________________________________

June 28, Irrawaddy
“Free Suu Kyi” campaigners released - Htet Aung

Fifty one pro-democracy activists arrested during a prayer campaign in May
for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi were freed on Wednesday night, a
spokesman for her National League for Democracy announced o­n Thursday.

The authorities continue to hold one detained woman, the HIV/AIDS activist
Phyu Phyu Thin, who has been staging a hunger strike, spokesman Myint
Thein told The Irrawaddy by phone.

“The NLD calls for the immediate release of Phyu Phyu Thin, who should
receive health care from her family,” Myint Thein said. “We [the NLD],
together with her family, are seriously concerned about her health.”

Phyu Phyu Thin began her hunger strike on June 19 and has been taking only
liquids, Myint Thein said. It isn’t known where the authorities are
holding the activist, who devotes her time to caring, counseling and
supporting hundreds of HIV/AIDS patients.
The US State Department, meanwhile, issued a statement o­n Wednesday
calling for her immediate release. "The United States calls for the
immediate and unconditional release of Phyu Phyu Thin (and) others
recently detained while praying at pagodas," US State Department spokesman
Sean McCormack said in the statement.

One of the released activists, Nay Htun, told The Irrawaddy by phone that
on the day of their release they had been taken to Aung Thapyay police
detention center. “We are first separately detained in No 3, 5 and 9 Riot
Police battalions.”

Nay Htun, 22, who lives in Prome, Pegu Division, came to Rangoon on a
business trip and joined the campaigners praying for Aung San Suu Kyi’s
release. He said he would continue to campaign for the NLD leader’s
release from house arrest. “I also have to do more for truth and freedom
because of my detention experience.”

Nay Htun said he and other detained activists had been treated well.

Another released activist, Oh Wai, said the police, and even their
commander, had shown “understanding and sympathy for what we are doing.
Their lives are so poor, but they all help us as much as they can despite
their poor living conditions.”

____________________________________

June 26, Independent Mon News Agency
Stepping down as junta's puppets from USDA - Loa Htaw

For the first time in over a decade of its history at least 18 members of
Burma 's Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) have put in
their papers in Mon state, said a chairman close to the USDA organizer in
the region.

USDA members in Zobbu (Thanphyuzayart) Township, Mon state started
quitting slowly since April.  Now 18 members have already resigned, he
added.

As a USDA member one gets many opportunities, including access to
government jobs, freedom of movement and other privileges, both on social
and business counts, USDA members in Mon state said.

However, many members who quit, cited ill health as a reason and wanted to
leave for treatment, said a member who resigned from the USDA.

"I do not know why other members resigned. I went to Rangoon (Yangon)
recently and learnt about the public hatred for the USDA because they
attacked innocent people who prayed for Daw Suu Kyi's release and wanted
democracy in Burma ," he added.

If junta uses USDA to attack people, the conflict will be between USDA and
the people, he said.

The regime also plans to allow USDA members to be involved in the ensuing
general elections, said an analyst.

USDA is infamous for master minding the murderous attack on Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi and her entourage of NLD supporters on May 30, 2003 in Depayin,
central Burma. USDA was founded on September 15, 1993 with new generation
youths.

According to a government newspaper, USDA now has about four million
members. Each village has one USDA organizer and many members. Organizers
can take a look at family members list from local authorities and can
choose any name they want to be a USDA member without informing the
person. Most youths over eighteen have been forced to join as USDA
members.

USDA acts as a NGO and works ostensibly for social and development causes
for the public. In fact, they are totally under the control of the
military and work as a watch dog for the junta to stay in power. They have
to monitor daily activities of the public and monks and report to the
military directly said a USDA member in Mudon Township.

____________________________________

June 28, Irrawaddy
Father of six killed by regime troops, family complain - Khun Sam

A Chin family has written to Burma’s ruling junta charging that one of its
members, a 33-year-old father of six, had been murdered by government
troops.

In a letter sent to junta leaders, including Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Pa Tung
Lian charges that his brother, Tin Oo, was taken from his home in San Set,
in Chin State’s  Matupi Township, on February 26 by soldiers from
Matupi-based Infantry Battalion-140, led by Maj Ye Lwin. Six weeks later,
his body was discovered buried near another village, Loh Taw.

Pa Tung Lian’s letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Irrawaddy, said
that the victim’s body showed extensive injuries, and urged the government
to take action against those responsible for slaying.

According to relatives and other sources, Tin Oo had been arrested for
refusing to participate in forced-labor enlisted to build a road in
Matupi. He was also suspected of supporting the Chin National Army, the
military wing of the Chin National Front.

“Tin Oo is a normal farmer,” said his brother. “He pleaded with the
authorities that he had a new child to care for and couldn’t afford to pay
anyone to work for him.”

Cin Sian Thang, a Rangoon-based ethnic Chin leader and chairman of the
Zomi National Congress, also charged government troops with Tin Oo’s
murder.

“Rule of law is one of the government’s principles,” he said. “We urge the
government to investigate this case.”

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

June 28, Mizzima News
India talks tough with Burma on border killing - Syed Ali Mujtaba

Hype regarding a growing Indo-Burma relationship notwithstanding, ties
between the two neighbours seem tenuous. The Government of India has taken
a serious view with respect to a series of incidents that have occurred
around the border post of Moreh.

On June 9 in Moreh, eleven people were killed, triggering fear and sending
people fleeing the border town for refuge in Burma.

Charges and counter-charges were hurled between the United National
Liberation Front (Manipur) and the Kuki National Organization and Army
following the Moreh killings, each accusing the other of being responsible
for the spate of killings.

Normalcy did however return to Moreh a few days after the incident.

New Delhi blames Burma for the violence and is of the view that the
killings were carried out from across the border.

"New Delhi has categorically told Yangon that it would be held responsible
if such unseemly incidents occur in the future," a source in the Ministry
of Defense said.

"The basic objective of the tough talk by Delhi is to convey the message
that it wants the neighbouring country not to offer shelter to any of the
militant groups' active in the northeast region of India," the source
added.

India had earlier asked Burma to clear the camps of militant outfits, and
reports had filtered in that efforts were underway to identify the exact
location of the camps so that operations could be launched.

To date, however, no such operations are known to have been undertaken.

____________________________________

June 28, Narinjara News
Bangladesh authorities suspect Arakanese rebel group in abduction

Bangladesh law enforcement authorities suspect an Arakanese rebel group in
the recent abduction of two foreign NGO workers from Chittagong Hill Tract
near the Burma border, reports local media.

Two staff members of Danish International Development Agency, DANIDA, a
donor agency, were abducted by an unidentified armed group from Kheburi
Para in Thancchi Township, in the south of the hill tract district, on
Monday afternoon.

Bangladesh police said a dozen masked gunmen picked up DANIDA project
officer Shahid Suman, aged 45 years-old, and driver M Hanif, aged 37, at
about 4 pm on Monday. The abduction occurred while Suman was holding a
meeting with local NGO workers on development matters.

An official source said the armed group has asked for 4 million taka as a
ransom to free the two men. A boatman from the area handed over a chit
carrying the kidnappers' demand for money to the local authority.

In the chit, the gang says that the hostages would be freed within a few
days if the ransom is paid. The time and place for paying the ransom,
however, was not mentioned.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but the culprits did
write "People Party of Arakan" on the body of the messenger's boat with a
chalk-pencil.

After Bangladesh authorities received the chit and were made aware of the
writing on the boat, they began to suspect an Arakanese rebel group
staying in the area is responsible for the abduction.

According to official sources, over 300 members of Bangladesh's joint
forces, including the army, are conducting an operation in the area to
rescue the DANIDA staffs.

In 1994 and 1995, two Bangladesh businessmen were also abducted by an
Arakanese armed group and released after a large ransom was paid, said an
official report.

____________________________________
BUSINESS / TRADE

June 28, Kachin News Group
Chinese account for highest number of tourists to Myitsone

The Chinese account for the highest number of tourists to Myitsone, one of
the most sought after tourist locales on the confluence of the Mali and
Nmai Rivers in Kachin State, northern Burma.

Groups of Chinese tourists drop in weekly to Myitsone (May-Mayli Kha
confluence) by crossing Laiza, the China-Burma border gate near China's
Yunnan Province. The area is controlled by the Kachin ceasefire group -the
Kachin independence Organization (KIO), residents of Myitsone said.

Among the Chinese visitors, some come to Myitsone as special guests of
Burma's ruling military junta and are guarded by the Burma Army, according
to an eyewitness and a resident of Myitsone.

Myitsone residents told KNG today that the number of Chinese visitors have
increased significantly following pre-testing activities for the Myitsone
hydroelectric power project which began last year.

The project is being implemented by the Burma-Asia World Company and it
will generate 3,600 MW of electricity under a joint agreement arrived at
last year between the Burmese junta's Ministry of Electric Power (1) and
China's China Power Investment Corporation (CPI).

Myitsone is the biggest of a total of seven hydroelectric power projects
on Mali River, Nmai River and Ayeyawaddy River in Kachin State being
constructed under an agreement between the Burmese junta and the Chinese
government.

Recently, a group of Chinese inspectors led by Mr. Zhou Chuan-song, the
Deputy Chief Engineer from the Space Surveying Company under the
Changjiang (Yangtze River) Institute of Surveying, Planning, Design and
Research completed five months of inspection in Myitsone, according to a
Chinese news story on May 30, 2007 at
http://www.cjw.com.cn/index/civilization/detail/20070530/88736.asp.

Both villagers in and around Myitsone and people from Kachin State have
urged the junta to put a stop to the Myitsone hydroelectric power project
but road construction and inspection is underway in the area, locals said.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

June 28, ChennaiOnline
Myanmar, Pak nationals escape from camp

In a daring escape, a Pakistani and a Myanmar national, arrested six years
ago, fled from the high-security Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Kutch
district yesterday.

The two youths - Misrilal Bhil (24), a Hindu from Pakistan, and Yasin
Ahmed (24), a Myanmarese - climbed over the wall of the JIC campus in Bhuj
by using a makeshift rope and fled, police said.

"We are investigating the escape and finding out if there was any help
(provided to the youths by) any official," a Special Operations Group
(SOG) official in Kutch told reporters.

The youths were arrested six years ago. Their interrogation and
investigations revealed that they had not infiltrated into the country to
cause any harm, he said.

"Misrilal Bhil said his main purpose of sneaking into India was to get a
glimpse of his favourite Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan but his wish could
not be fulfilled. Now he will be arrested again for escaping," the
official said.

"It is unfortunate that they fled as we were awaiting orders for their
deportation from the External Affairs Ministry. Moreover, their record was
clean and they had already served jail terms for infiltration," he added.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

June 28, Agence France Presse
US calls for 'immediate' release of Myanmar AIDS activist

The United States Wednesday called for the "immediate and unconditional"
release of AIDS jailed activist Phyu Phyu Thinn in Myanmar, and urged the
military regime there to look after her health.

"The United States calls for the immediate and unconditional release of
Phyu Phyu Thinn (and) others recently detained while praying at pagodas,"
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.

Phyu Phyu Thinn, 34, was taken from her home by police on May 21 after
attending prayer vigils calling for the freedom of opposition leader and
Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest in
Yangon for the past 17 years.

Phyu Phyu Thinn and other HIV patients have made vigils at Yangon pagodas
to seek the release of Phyu Phyu Thin since late May.

"If, as media reports suggest, Phyu Phyu Thinn has begun a hunger strike,"
McCormack added in his statement, "the United States expects the Burmese
military regime to provide her with appropriate and humane medical
attention."

"The United States remains concerned about the continued detention of
HIV/AIDS activist Phyu Phyu Thinn and other pro-democracy activists who
were detained without charges ... for gathering to pray for the release of
Aung San Suu Kyi," the spokesman said.
____________________________________

June 28, Agence France Presse
ICRC slams systematic mass abuse by Myanmar's military

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vigorously denounced
Friday what it described as widespread and systematic human rights abuses
by Myanmar's military regime, running over a period of at least six years.

In an exceptionally strongly worded statement, ICRC president Jakob
Kellenberger notably accused Myanmar's armed forces of forcing thousands
of detainees to work as porters to the point of exhaustion and
malnutrition.

"The persistent use of detainees as porters for the armed forces is a
matter of grave humanitarian concern," it said.

"The actions of the authorities have also resulted in immense suffering
for thousands of people in conflict-affected areas."

Kellenberger added: "The ICRC has repeatedly drawn attention to these
abuses, but the authorities have failed to put a stop to them."

Some of the porters were murdered, according to the ICRC statement that
was based on observations and interviews by its own staff in Myanmar,
mainly between 2000 and 2005.

The humanitarian agency highlighted repeated abuse against men, women and
children in communities along the Thai border, including murder, violence,
arbitrary arrests and "large scale" destruction of food supplies.

The military regime is fighting ethnic rebels in the region.

The ICRC said the Myanmar army's behaviour helped create "constant fear"
among the population and forced thousands to flee their homes.

"Despite repeated entreaties by the ICRC, the authorities have
consistently refused to enter into a serious discussion of these abuses
with a view to putting a stop to them," Kellenberger said.

"The continuing deadlock with the authorities has led the ICRC to take the
exceptional step of making its concerns public."

The ICRC chief said portering and other abuse against civilians were major
violations of international humanitarian law.

The ICRC is normally discreet about its contacts with authorities around
the world over humanitarian issues, believing that a low-key approach is a
better way to achieve improvements.

Public statements specifically naming culprits of abuse are, in conrast,
very rare and are kept as a last resort.

Since late 2005, Myanmar has stopped the ICRC from carrying out
independent visits to detention centres and prisons to check on
conditions.

The ICRC says its staff have faced growing restrictions on their movements
aroudn Myanmar, hampering the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Myanmar has been ruled by military government since 1962.

Although the junta says it has banned forced labour, human rights groups
have long said that little action has been taken, especially in areas
where foreigners are barred.

The secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), Ong Keng Yong, said earlier this month that a decade of US and EU
economic sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuse and political
repression was not working since the regime was largely immune to them.

____________________________________

June 28, Irrawaddy
Australian immigration process offers hope, long wait - Sai Awn Tai

Tamla Gaw, 50, a Karen refugee from Burma arrived in Sydney with his
family in January 2006 after spending 15 years in two refugee camps o­n
the Thai-Burmese border.

In 2002, Tamla Gaw applied to immigrate to Australia and even though the
process took two years, he never lost hope that he would find a better
life there and no longer live in fear.

For Tamla Gaw, a two-year wait seemed trivial compared to the 33 years he
spent living under the repressive Burmese regime, followed by 15 years of
living in refugee camps.

"I'd finally found a good future path, especially for my family," said
Tamla Gaw, who grew up at Nyaung Lay Pin in Pegu Division in Burma. The
area is located in the middle of a war zone between the Burmese military
regime, also known as the State Peace and Development Council, and the
Karen National Union.

A nursery school teacher, Tamla Gaw was often forced by the SPDC to
perform unpaid labor building roads and carrying ammunition across
battlefields.

He had no future in Burma. After several days of traveling o­n foot
without food, he arrived at the Bawnaw refugee camp at Thai-Burmese border
in September 1991.

"It was very hard to find vegetables and fruit because travel outside the
camp was not permitted," Tamla Gaw said.

In April 1995, the Bawnaw camp was burned down when the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army attacked it with the support of the Burmese regime. The DKBA
is a KNU breakaway group.

Tamla Gaw moved to the Mae La refugee camp where he met his future wife,
Crystal Gaw, 38, at the Karen Education Department where they both worked
as school teachers.

Tamla and Crystal Gaw's stories are not unique except for the fact that
not many Burmese refugees ever make it to Australia.

Government statistics show o­nly 205 Burmese refugees arrived in Australia
in 2004-05.

The policy was modified in 2006 when then Federal Immigration Minister,
Amanda Vanstone, visited the Mae La refugee camp and learned that among
the 45,000 refugees in the camp, thousands had lived there for decades in
poor conditions.

A short time later, Australia agreed to accept 900 refugees from Burma
each year, and the figure rose to 1,500 for 2007.

However, Australian immigration policy requires refugees to wait for as
long as three years before actually arriving on Australian soil.

By comparison, refugees accepted by the US, Canada, New Zealand and some
European countries can apply and arrive in their new home country within
three to four months.

Burmese refugees are asking why the delay?

Saw Lwin Oo, the general secretary of the Australian Karen Organisation
based in Sydney, says o­ne reason is the large number of selection
categories, which demand rechecking a refugee's background even though
they may have already been recognized and granted refugee status by the UN
High Commissioner of Refugees.

The Australian resettlement procedure also requires that health conditions
are checked to ensure refugees to meet the criteria of Australian law.

The US and many European countries—unlike Australia— accept refugees who
are HIV/AIDS positive or who suffer from other serious medical conditions.

The Australian process has another downside, says Professor Thann Naing,
the chairman of the Burmese Community Welfare Group.

US and European countries get the talented and skilled refugees because
Australia’s selection procedures are more restrictive and take longer,
says Thann Naing, who is based at Macquaire University.

But regardless of the barriers, refugees who finally arrive in Australia
are ready to work hard and are full of hope for the future.

One big plus for refugees o­nce they legitimately enter Australia is the
full assistance available from both government and community
organisations.

In New South Wales, for example, the Australian Centre for Language
provides services to refugee families when they first arrive and help with
access to Centrelink, healthcare and language schools.

Burmese refugees in Sydney also receive assistance from their own
community organisations such as the Burmese Community Welfare Group and
the Australian Karen Organisation.

But even with help, refugees face difficulties integrating into a new
environment, a new culture and a new language, and it can take years to
adjust.

Even so, Tamla Gaw has a dream. He wants to be a good teacher in Australia.

"It will take me about five years to be a teacher here," he said. "I know
it is hard, but I will work hard o­n it." Gaw is now studying English for
Employment at Liverpool TAFE.

His two sons, Kaw Gayday Gaw, 8, and Kaw Kamu Gaw, 5, who were born and
grew up in the Mae La camp are even more important because they represent
a new generation, Tamla Gaw said.

"We have to make sure that we look after them very well as they have more
potential than us," he said.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

June 28, Shan Herald Agency for News
The truth and legality of the “Panglong Agreement” - Sao Noan Oo aka Nel
Adams

In the article, “Conflicting Interests Impede Burma’s Democratisation”
written by Nehginpao Kipgen, in the Asian Tribune, 2007-06-21, he wrote
“In fact, with the nullification of the 1947 Panglong Agreement and the
subsequent constitution, all ethnic nationalities of Burma can claim
pre-independence status.” I totally agree with this statement but what I
am not clear about is what came after, “claiming pre-independence status
is likely to create more instability and violence in this volatile
situation. Building the Union of Burma would better serve the interests of
the different nationalities”.

The SPDC and the extreme Burman Nationalists disagreed with the principles
and spirit of the Panglong Agreement and the 1948 Constitution and that
was the reason why Bogyoke Aung San and colleagues were assassinated. They
pressurized and made the then Prime Minister, U Nu change the Constitution
in favour of their wish. When the ethnic leaders democratically brought
this into the open and asked for a debate in Parliament Ne Win and his
army staged a coup and put all members of parliament in prison. Like it or
not the Panglong Agreement between the Burmese leaders and Non-Burman
ethnic leaders is a fact and reality that binds the different nations
together as the Union of Burma. The military regimes destroyed the
Agreement, thereby destroying the Union. For the last forty or more years
they have by force tried to glue the broken pieces together and  have
failed dismally; instead they have made all the nationals of Burma live in
fear and terror. They turned Burma into a prison, caged all those who
opposed them. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been locked up because the military
is frightened that she would honour the spirit and legality of the
Panglong Agreement by following the wish of her father, General Aung San,
one of the leading signatories representing the people of Burma Proper.

If the ethnic nations are to dismiss their claim of pre-independence
status it will mean that they are to erase the truth, the make up and
break up of the Union of Burma, the existence of the Panglong Agreement,
the Independence, the assassination of Bogyoke Aungsan and  the military
regime and its human rights violations. All these incidences are the truth
and nothing but the truth. Britain honoured the agreement of returning
Hong Kong to China; and likewise Portugal did the same with Macau.
Agreements between decent parties are to be honoured otherwise the world
will be in chaos like Burma is at present.

Building the Union of Burma would better serve the interest of people only
by the consent of the people of all nationalities, like it was done
through the Panglong Agreement. The legality and spirit of the Panglong
Agreement and the 1948 Constitution have to be adopted and only then can
all the nations move forward and implement its shortcomings through
parliament by the votes of the legally elected parliamentarians. If the
Agreement is dishonoured and the Constitution abrogated then the status of
the different nations has to be regarded as a free nation, forcibly
occupied by the military regimes.

What is so wrong with all the nations of Burma forming a genuine
federation with equal rights and equal status? Why are the generals so
afraid of the Panglong Agreement and the 1948 Constitution?  Why is the
regime afraid of a free and fair competition? Is it because it lacks the
confidence of competing justly and fairly that it uses violence to make
people do according to their demand? If the Regime has the trust and
respect of the people they will also have the support of the people
without the need to use violence.

All the resistance groups have asked for a tripartite reconciliation and
discussion and yet the regime has turned a deaf ear to them. If the
generals think that their ideology and policies are correct, why are they
afraid to meet and have an open discussion with others?

The truth has to be confronted and debated otherwise ill feelings between
the aggressor and the victims could not be forgiven and forgotten. The
regime has been given several chances by the citizens of Burma as well as
the UN and the international community to take the country forward but it
has chosen to take it backward into the dark ages when human beings
destroy other human beings, when there was no moral principles and law and
order. The military regimes of Burma will surely be remembered as one of
the most evil, dictatorial regimes. Their rule will also go down as the
darkest period in the history Burma during which all citizens lived in
fear and terror.

The generals are getting old, it is about time they search their
conscience and atone and apologise to the citizens of Burma for their
misrule of the country and its citizens. It is about time they admit that
their judgement was a mistake, and transfer power and governing to the
democratically elected members. They tell the world that they will be
adopting democracy soon, but democracy is only a word unless it is done
with the consent of the majority of people, and democracy is not democracy
if it is not based on honour, truth, justice and freedom.

The author, Sao Noan Oo aka Nel Adams, is a scion of the Lawkzawk House.
She is known for her memoirs My Vanishing World. The opinions expressed
here are her own.

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

June 28, The 88 Generation Students
The 88 Generation Students' policy announcement regarding emergence of the
State constitution

(1) Cooperation and agreement among all political actors in Burma,
including the military government, elected peoples' representatives from
the National League for Democracy party and ethnic political parties in
the 1990 general elections are essential for national reconciliation and
implementing of democratic transition process.

(2) Lieutenant General Thein Sein, Chairman of the National Convention
Convening Commission, announced during the Commission meeting (1/2007)
that "they will finish the rest of the chapters, review all adopted basic
principles, make amendments, additions and nullification to ensure that
the constitution is free from flaw and weaknesses" during the upcoming
session of the National Convention.

(3) When shaping and transforming the future of the country to be a
Democratic Nation, a political environment, which allow free, frank and
friendly discussion among all political actors, is also required.

(4) We seriously encourage the military government to create that kind of
political environment. Similarly, we also encourage the elected
representatives from the National League for Democracy and ethnic
political parties to make maximum effort to have that kind of political
environment and reach the negotiated settlement which will be acceptable
by the people of Burma.

The 88 Generation Students
Rangoon, Burma
88generation at gmail.com
Ref: 13/ 2007 (88)