NLD Calls for Urgent International Intervention

  ^{Dermot Ahern Announces Emergency Airlift to Burma}

^{The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D. today 5th  May said that life saving emergency aid provided by the Government will be airlifted to Burma and members of the Irish Rapid Response Corps may also be dispatched to the crisis zone.}

^{The Minister said the aid, stored at a depot in Brindisi, Italy, was part of an emergency airlift facilitated by the Italian Government.}

^{The Minister said: “Already some of our stock of relief goods housed in the UN depot at Brindisi have been sent to the area as part of an emergency airlift being organised by the Italian Government.}

^{“In addition, the Government’s Rapid Response Corps is on stand-by ready to assist the international effort. Already two of our partners – the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have been in contact to alert us that they may want to access some members of our Rapid Response Corps to help in their relief efforts in Burma. We have also been in contact with some of our NGO partners and I hope that we will be able to release the first funds for relief in Burma before the end of the week”.}

^{The Corp, established by the Minister, is available to deploy to world troublespots to provide expert humanitarian assistance at short notice for specific periods of time. It is a voluntary corps drawn from the public providing expertise in areas such as transport logistics, public health, communications and engineering and other skills.}

^Ends+++

The preparation of the draft constitution has been anything but democratic and inclusive. The process has excluded all democratic groups and parties, including the National League of Democracy, which won Burma 's last democratic elections in 1990. It has also excluded the legitimate representatives of Burma 's many ethnic groups.

The junta's vote for repression

By Sein Win

Monday, May 5, 2008

It is not often that there is fair warning of a comprehensive abuse of political rights. But in Burma , we know the day that this abuse will take place: This coming Saturday. This is the day of the referendum called by Burma 's military regime on the draft constitution it has prepared.

The preparation of the draft constitution has been anything but democratic and inclusive. The process has excluded all democratic groups and parties, including the National League of Democracy, which won Burma 's last democratic elections in 1990. It has also excluded the legitimate representatives of Burma 's many ethnic groups.

The constitution proposed by the regime - the State Peace and Development Council - is one that would leave the military in power, regardless of the wishes of the Burmese population.

The elections that the regime have proposed to follow the referendum in 2010 would not permit the participation of many democratic parties and individuals, including the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest, now for over 12 years.

In order to view the draft constitution, Burmese citizens - who, thanks to the regime's disastrous economic policies, are among the poorest in the world - are required to purchase the 194-page document. Already, the ruling junta is organizing acts of intimidation and violence to bully the population to vote yes to the constitution. Despite the obvious risks to their lives and liberty, opposition groups have decided to participate in the referendum and vote no.

The regime wants to present this false referendum and anti-democratic constitution as part of a transition to democracy. The reality of the referendum is a cynically calculated act to pretend to meet the demands of the international community, including the UN Security Council, which has specifically demanded an inclusive constitutional process.

Since the violent repression of demonstrations led by Burma 's revered monks in September, the UN has conducted a "good offices" mission to try to find a way forward in Burma . So far, the ruling junta has shown no sign of permitting any kind of inclusive constitutional and democratic process. Their tactics seem to be to stave off international pressure by slowing down any dialogue with the UN, and promising empty changes, such as its new constitution.

These evasive tactics must not be tolerated. The UN Security Council, along with Asean, the European Union and Burma 's immediate neighbors, must call this referendum what it really is and demand an inclusive constitutional process, leading to genuinely democratic and open elections.

These countries - the international community - must insist on objective international monitoring of the referendum - perhaps by Burma 's democratic regional neighbors like Thailand , Malaysia , Singapore , or Indonesia - and, if this is refused, draw the obvious conclusion.

It is time for the international community to increase the economic pressure on the military senior leadership via the mechanism of targeted sanctions, including investment freezes. Those countries in Asean, as well as China and India , which are the military's major trading and investment partners, must cease propping up the regime with currency, revenue and arms.

It is not in anyone's long-term interests for a regime that lacks any legitimacy to continue in power in Burma . No economic investment can prosper in such circumstances and the risk of widespread turmoil and instability can only increase. Above all, the abuse of the human rights of Burma 's people must be stopped.

The country's democratic opposition proposes a way out of this crisis and suffering for the Burmese people. We are not looking for revolution or violent overthrow of the regime, but a peaceful transition to a situation where Burma is stable and democratically governed.

What this requires is a constitutional process that includes all parties, including the military, democratic parties and representatives of the many ethnic groups that make up contemporary Burma . All these groups must have a say in Burma 's constitutional settlement, as they must too play a part in any future government. The proper atmosphere for such a process also requires the release of political prisoners and the end to hostilities in Burma 's ethnic regions.

The military regime pretends that the referendum is a step toward democracy. It is in reality a massive and comprehensive denial of the democratic and political rights of the Burmese people. It is essential that the international community recognizes this fake referendum for what it is.

Sein Win is chairman of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, which is outlawed by the military junta.

Burma’s NLD Calls for a Referendum “No” Vote

Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), called on the electorate for the first time on Wednesday to cast a “No” vote in the constitutional referendum in May.

The party, headed by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, said a “No” vote was necessary because the proposed constitution had not been written by elected representatives of the people but by “hand-picked puppets” of the regime.

The draft constitution, drawn up by the regime-constituted National Convention, and a general election to be held in May are the fourth and fifth steps of the junta’s seven-step “road map to a disciplined democracy”.

The NLD’s announcement on Wednesday said the proposed constitution broke a basic principle of democracy, under which authority had to come from the people. It also failed to guarantee democratic values and human rights.

By voting against the draft constitution, the people would be practicing their rights, said NLD spokesman Thein Nyunt. The state powers being exercised by the regime had not originated with the people, “Therefore it is the responsibility of all citizens to take back people-power.”
 
Fourteen members of the Committee Representing the Peoples’ Parliament (CRPP), which was formed by successful candidates in the 1990 election, have also called for rejection of the proposed constitution by the Burmese people as well as internationally.

The document had been written without the participation of the NLD or ethnic party representatives and without meeting the expectations of ethnic nationalities, the CRPP members said.

They described the draft constitution as “a sham,” and said they expected the junta to claim a referendum victory “by cheating and fraud.”

Burma’s Leprechauns…

14 March Geneva (Bangkok Post) - The military junta in Burma has failed to make any real concessions to democracy, the UN special rapporteur said Friday, suggesting efforts were more make-believe than real.

Paulo Pinheiro told reporters in Geneva: “If you believe in gnomes, in trolls and in elves then you can believe in this process of democracy.”

The Burmese authorities have moved to silence international criticism following September’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators and announced a series of measures they claim will transform the country to a democracy.

“They don’t give any concessions…..we can not give a certificate of democratic transition because this is not happening,” said Pinheiro.

He was speaking after presenting his final report on Burma to the Human Rights Council the previous day. He is due to hand the brief to a successor.

He said the Burmese junta had paid no heed to the UN Security Council or resolutions by the Human Rights Council. He said he saw no evidence that anyone responsible for September’s killings or excessive use of force had been brought to book.

“I am afraid ‘accountability’ does not translate in the Myanmar language,” he said, using the junta’s official name for Burma.

The referendum, scheduled for an undisclosed date in May, is at the forefront of the Junta’s democratisation efforts but has already provoked protest at home.

Pinheiro said a referendum could not be democratic if it excluded political parties and opposition figures.

He praised China for the “positive role” it had played in the region in trying to find a solution.

Pinheiro had been accused of a lack of objectivity and impartiality by Burma after presenting his report to the Council on Thursday.

Burma said the visit by the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser and meeting with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi pointed to the regime’s commitment to democratic reform.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Direct investment into Burma means direct suffering of Burmese

When UN special envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari made a report to the  United Nations Security Council on October 4, he referred to a UN  report in 2004 which stated that one-third of Burma's people live below the poverty line, and predicted that a 10-per-cent rise in  prices could push another third of the country below the poverty line. 

Published on December 23, 2007 

He also pointed out that since then the price of fuel has been   increased twice and significant inflation has driven up the prices of basic food items and commodities. He also concluded that recent demonstrations were for the most part the expression of deep and  widespread discontent about socio-economic conditions in the country. 

But the military regime ignores its own peoples' hardships. Everyyear, the regime spends US$1.10 (Bt37) per citizen on education and$0.40 on healthcare, compared to $400 for each soldier. On the otherhand, it spends generously on grandiose programmes for itself. It bought MiG-29 fighters, military hardware and even a nuclear reactor,all costing billions of dollars. It also built a new administrative  capital costing billions. In March 2006, salaries of civil servants,especially army personnel, were increased up to 10 times, in a bid toincrease loyalty.

According to figures issued by the regime's Central Statistics   Organisation, in 2006, out of total foreign trade worth $8 billion,Thailand led with $2.7 billion, followed by China with $1.5 billion.

The regime's main exports were gas sales to Thailand, timber to Indiaand China, followed by gems and garments. In terms of projected investment - $14 billion up until the end of 2006, mostly in the  energy sector - Thailand led with $7.5 billion, including $6 billionfor the Salween dam, followed by Singapore, the UK and Malaysia with 1.6 billion, $1.5 billion and $700 million respectively. In both  trade and investment, Thailand is the main financier of the military  regime in Burma.

 Even after the brutal crack down on peaceful demonstrations, India,China, Malaysia and Thailand made agreements or announcements to  invest more in Burma. 

The people of Burma have suffered much due to these investments. They  provide income to the regime to buy arms to kill its own people. The regime usually makes the areas for concessions and projects safe from  the armed rebels through military offensives in which they target notonly rebels but also civilians, accompanied by severe abuses  including forced labour, relocation, land confiscation, rapes,torture and execution. The military usually orders people to move  away from designated areas without providing any assistance. This    creates a massive influx of refugees and migrants to Thailand, while  many seek refuge in the jungles. 

The heart felt request from the Burmese people is that there be no more trade and investment in contract farming, timber, gas, gems,mines and dams - which all contribute to further suffering. It istime for the international community and Thailand to stop funding the  military regime. 

Sann Aung

Member of Parliament, Burma

Bangkok

Burma may delay ASEAN Charter,  Dec 20, 2007

Tumultuous Burma holds the fate of Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Charter in its hands, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Wednesday.

At a Christmas luncheon with reporters, Romulo said the ratification of the Asean Charter hinges on proof that Burma is following its promised "roadmap to democracy."

 The charter refers to the proposed organic law for all 10 Asean members, which include the Philippines. It was drafted by senior officials of the member nations, and adopted and signed by the Asean leaders at the 13th Asean Summit in Singapore on November 20. Romulo said Burma promised compliance with a roadmap to democracy 10 or 11 years ago, "and they have been repeating the promise every year. But every year since Secretary [Domingo] Siazon was there, it's up to them, not the nine members. We are just waiting."

 Among those being asked from Burma is the release of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, and government's negotiations with her and her political party, National League for Democracy (NLD) as a "genuine political force."

 At the summit, President Gloria Arroyo appealed to the government of Burma to release Suu Kyi.  President Arroyo, in her speech at the International Human Rights Celebration in Malacañang, said the release of Suu Kyi could help Burma "move quickly toward a democratic path."  "You know the role that the President played in stating the need for Burma to show that it has truly made important steps in the roadmap to democracy. The more important step is the freeing of Suu Kyi, as well as the inclusion in the Constitutional and democratic process," he said.

 Romulo said they may or may not seek the ratification of the Asean Charter in Congress, but they are hoping that Burma would follow the preconditions. "We told the Asean members that we may have a difficult time in getting our treaty-making body in the legislature to ratify and concur with the Asean Charter unless there are really major steps in implementing the roadmap to democracy," he said. 

Romulo recounted that when they were in Singapore, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who heads the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said they may have a difficult time ratifying the Asean Charter. 

"It is up to Burma to show that meaningful and significant steps have been taken starting with the freeing of Suu Kyi, and the inclusion of the NLD in the democratization and constitutional process," he said.

 Since May, Suu Kyi's release from house arrest has consistently been one of the international advocacies of the Philippine government. On May 30, the Philippines led Asean in calling on Burma's military leaders to reverse their decision to extend Suu Kyi's house arrest. It was the first time that a Philippine government official has called on all other Asian leaders to rally behind Suu Kyi.

 In a statement released earlier, Romulo said, "The Philippines joins the call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners [in Burma]" and that ". . . The Philippines deeply regrets the Burma government's decision to extend her house arrest. We urge the Burma government to reconsider its decision." 

Burma's military junta has detained Suu Kyi since the 1990s, after her political party won in the general elections. She was supposed to assume office as prime minister of Burma after her group's victory at the polls. But the results of the polls were nullified because the ruling military-led junta refused to hand over power to Suu Kyi. Besides batting for Suu Kyi's freedom, President Arroyo also urged Asean leaders to "accept its responsibility to advance the cause of economic and social justice within its membership," after it "has taken tangible steps to be a true union." She said the Philippines placed great importance on its international responsibilities, which included its duty to the Asean and in sending peacekeeping forces to areas of conflict.

The move implements sanctions agreed in principle by ministers last month after the junta crushed the biggest pro-democracy protests in nearly 20 years in September. The junta acknowledges killing at least 15 people in the monk-led protests, but Western diplomats say the figure was much higher.

The sanctions target the country's key timber, metals and gemstone sectors. They include an investment ban on companies controlled by the regime or by people linked to the regime.

EU foreign ministers also prohibited exports on equipment to sectors involving timber, metals, minerals, semi-precious and precious stones, as well as imports from these sectors.

"The EU remains concerned by the situation in Burma and reiterated its call on the government to take substantive steps to address the concerns of its people and the international community," ministers said in a statement.

The EU has stressed that its trade -- and therefore economic leverage -- with Burma is limited, though it has so far steered clear of Burma's energy sector, in which French oil giant Total is a big investor.

Ministers nevertheless stressed the 27-nation bloc could take further sanctions and had tasked experts to work on that.

"We continue to look for ways to put pressure on the Burmese regime in such a way that if it doesn't respond...the EU and the international community should be prepared to take further steps," British Europe minister Jim Murphy told reporters.

"But equally, if there is a positive response from the Burmese regime there also should be economic opportunity available to develop their economy," he said.

BANKING SANCTIONS POSSIBLE

Murphy said additional future steps could include more stringent banking sanctions sought by activists including Human Rights Watch, which last week urged the European Union to coordinate such steps with the United States.

The United States has more stringent measures that deny individuals and entities access to U.S. banking systems and international financial transactions.

It also has the capacity to refuse access to U.S. financial institutions to any financial institution that services the ruling junta in Burma and Human Rights watch said it was important to prevent circumvention of this via European banks.

Burma's junta is widely believed to use Singapore as its main offshore banking centre and the United States has called on the city state to sever financial links with the generals.

The list of firms covered by the EU sanctions was due to be published later on Monday.

The EU urged the junta to lift restrictions on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, enter into dialogue with her and release those detained in the protests.

U.N. Envoy to BURMA Calls Junta Responsive

Statement by Mr.Gambari on behalf of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi­ 8 November 2007

Singapore, 8 November 2007 - As you know, I have just completed a mission to Myanmar from 3 to 8 November, where I met today with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  In my capacity as Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Myanmar, I was authorized by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to make the following statement on her behalf:

I wish to thank all those who have stood by my side all this time,both inside and outside my country. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his unwavering support for the cause of national reconciliation,democracy and human rights in my country.

I welcome the appointment on 8 October of Minister Aung Kyi as Minister for Relations. Our first meeting on 25 October was constructive and I look forward to further regular discussions. I expect that this phase of preliminary consultations will conclude soon so that a meaningful and timebound dialogue with the SPDC leadership can start as early as possible.

In the interest of the nation, I stand ready to cooperate with the Government in order to make this process of dialogue a success and welcome the necessary good offices role of the United Nations to help facilitate our efforts in this regard.

In full awareness of the essential role of political parties in democratic societies, in deep appreciation of the sacrifices of the members of my party and in my position as General Secretary, I will be guided by the policies and wishes of the National League for Democracy.  However, in this time of vital need for democratic solidarity and national unity, it is my duty to give constant and serious considerations to the interests and opinions of as broad a range of political organizations and forces as possible, in particular those of our ethnic nationality races.

To that end, I am committed to pursue the path of dialogue constructively and invite the Government and all relevant parties to join me in this spirit.

I believe that stability, prosperity and democracy for my country, living at peace with itself and with full respect for human rights, offers the best prospect for my country to fully contribute to the development and stability of the region in close partnership with its neighbours and fellow ASEAN members, and to play a positive role as a respected member of the international community.

I am now scheduled to return to New York to brief the Secretary- General on all the aspects of my mission. I will therefore not be able to take any questions at this time.

 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D., Meets with Dr Sein Win Prime Minister-in exile of Burma             

Discussions Focus on Way forward for Burma 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., met today 24th October  in Dublin with Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister-in-exile of the Union of Burma, Dr. Thaung Htun, also from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), and the Chairperson and representatives of Burma Action Ireland

Dr Sein Win thanked the Minister for Ireland and the Minister’s recent actions in support of the people of Burma and of democratic change in Burma. He acknowledged Ireland’s continuing principled stand internationally and Irish Aid support for human rights and democratisation in Burma, particularly in support of Burmese refugees in Thailand.

Minister Ahern expressed the Government’s deep concern at the ongoing human rights situation in Burma and stated Ireland’s strong commitment to supporting political change, peaceful reconciliation and respect for human rights in Burma.

“The Government is appalled by the actions of the Burmese regime in violently putting down peaceful protests, and the ongoing intimidation, beatings and arbitrary arrests that seek to frustrate the real will of the people of Burma. I am deeply concerned by the detention of thousands of protesters including Buddhist monks and nuns, and children. I urgently call for the release of all detainees and political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. I believe, however, that out of the appalling events which took place last month, a real window of opportunity now exists to advance the cause of democracy and freedom in Burma. There is an urgent need to get a process of genuine national dialogue and reconciliation underway and, in this, the role of the UN Secretary General’s special envoy, Dr Gambari, and continuing pressure from Burma’s neighbours, will be crucial. I also welcome the fact that the Burmese regime has finally, after four years, agreed to accept a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, and very much hope that he is given the fullest possible cooperation and access. At the same time the Burmese regime must cooperate fully with the International Committee of the Red Cross and lift restrictions on its important humanitarian work.

Ireland fully supports the role of UN Special Envoy, Dr Gambari. We will continue to work with all partners, including within the EU and UN, and with those countries which wield influence with the Burmese regime, to encourage positive change in Burma.

My Department will continue to remain in close touch with the NCGUB and with Burma Action Ireland , who have played such an important role in ensuring the awful human rights situation in Burma is kept very much on the agenda.

In response to an expression of interest by Dr Sein Win in learning more about the Northern Ireland peace process, I undertook to work with the NCGUB and others in Burma to share the lessons and experiences gained from that process

China praises UN envoy, promises support on Myanmar

Wednesday October 24

China praised the 'remarkable' work by UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to improve the situation in Myanmar and promised continued support for his mediation efforts.

'You have made a remarkable contribution to the mediation on the Myanmar issue in the past two weeks, which we appreciate,' state media quoted Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei as telling Gambari late Wednesday.

'China will continue to give all-out support to your work,' the official Xinhua news agency quoted He as saying before he began formal talks with Gambari.

Gambari, who represents UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, was also scheduled to hold talks with State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his two-day visit to China, the ministry said earlier.

China is the fifth leg of Gamabri's trip to press six Asian nations to exert pressure on the Myanmar military to end its suppression of pro-democracy protesters and initiate political reform.

After talks on Tuesday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Gambari said the UN appreciated the help of China - Myanmar's main weapons supplier - in defusing the crisis by facilitating meetings with the junta leaders at the height of the crisis.

Gambari also held talks in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, and is scheduled to travel to Japan after China.

China said earlier this month that it did not support UN sanctions against Myanmar's ruling junta but favoured continued mediation by the UN envoy.

Wednesday October  24

India today opposed imposing sanctions on Myanmar and called for encouraging all stakeholders to advance political reforms and national reconciliation, a move jointly supported by China and Russia.

"We believe that the initiative taken by the UN Secretary General (Ban-Ki Moon) to open dialogue amongst the various stakeholders in Myanmar should be encouraged," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at a joint press conference after the end of the third standalone meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia here.

Mukherjee said India has also suggested that the process of political reform and national reconciliation should be expedited on a broad base and equally among all stakeholders.

"We believe that Myanmar authorities should be encouraged to engage in the process of dialogue with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General (Ibrahim Gambari), the initiative which he has taken should be encouraged to take it to the logical conclusion and there should not be any sanctions at this stage," the minister emphasised.   

Mukherjee acknowledged that the Myanmar issue had figured prominently during the trilateral meeting and they exchanged views on it.

Ultimately, the issue of Myanmar should be resolved by the Myanmarese government and the country's people, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said.

He said China believes that the parties concerned will conduct dialogue to help Myanmar restore stability and improve the life of the people and promote democracy and development in Myanmar.