Statements

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

Moving Chairs About on the Titanic?

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma does not believe that the dismissal of Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt will drastically change the country's political direction. This is because the military has already hijacked the country moving on a course toward a military-dominated political future which is what Senior General Than Shwe and his cohorts have been working for over the years. Besides, General Khin Nyunt -- regardless of whether he is a "moderate" or a "hardliner" -- never really had the decision-making power at the national-level which remains solely in the hands of Senior General Than Shwe. This situation will continue to hold true for the new Prime Minister Lt Gen Soe Win as well.

Factional struggles over the years have been depleting the ranks of generals and they belie the claim that the Burmese Army is a monolithic institution. These struggles will continue until the military seriously considers working with the people to resolve the ills of the nation. Only a genuinely democratic system of governance can guarantee the stability and security of the country and the military as well.

The generals will not be able to overcome the economic backlash, regional instability arising from unrest among armed cease-fire groups, and dissatisfaction within the armed forces if they refuse to work with the people. The country will be dragged to doom and the current change in the military hierarchy will become nothing more than what must be described as "moving chairs about on the Titanic".

But, the opportunity to do the right thing is here and now. The military can start anew and bring peace to the country by starting a dialogue with the election winning political parties, particularly the National League for Democracy, to work toward national reconciliation.

Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said: "Without corrective intervention, we are concerned that the generals will continue to ignore popular opinion and step up the hostilities against ethnic and democracy movements and threaten the safety and security of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders. Regional and neighboring countries, which have been supporting and defending the Burmese generals regardless, should also adopt appropriate measures to guide Burma back on to the correct path toward democracy."

Contact: NCGUB, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 303, Washington, DC 20004 Tel: 202 639 0639 Fax: 202 639 0638

Oct. 18, 2004

New EU Sanctions on Burma

The United States welcomes the European Union's announcement of new sanctions on Burma, following the Burmese junta's failure to meet the EU's October 7 deadline for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the completion of certain concrete steps toward democratization. The EU action is a positive step that underlines the international community's continued desire to see positive and peaceful change in Burma, and we urge the EU to move quickly to final adoption and implementation of the sanctions. Should Burma continue to deny its citizens basic human rights and freedoms, we urge the EU and other democracies in the international community to consider further strengthening sanctions, including placing a comprehensive import ban on Burmese products.

We urge the international community to remain focused on this vital matter in order to generate more cooperation in support of the Burmese people's enduring desire for freedom, democracy, and national reconciliation.

We are deeply disappointed that the Burmese junta continues to ignore the demands of the international community and their own citizens for democracy and the free exercise of fundamental human rights. The situation in Burma has further deteriorated since the brutal May 30, 2003, attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and members and supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD). The United States remains deeply concerned by the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and over a thousand other political prisoners, the failure of the junta to permit the NLD to open its offices nationwide and operate freely, the denial of full and free participation of ethnic minority and NLD representatives in the National Convention, and by recent reports of serious abuses in southern Shan, Karen and Karenni States.

2004/1129