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REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS (3/8/1994)



/* Written 20 Nov 6:00am 1995 by DRUNOO@xxxxxxxxxxxx(DR U NE OO) in igc:reg.burma */
/* -------------" Report on Communications (3/8/94) "------------------ */

Following is communication to pro-democracy groups in 1994, regarding
cease-fire and political settlements. The situation has changed little,
however, since the DAB has lost its memberships due to various cirumstances.
Nontheless, the UN supervision in writing a new federal constitution
should be considered as the most essentional element in building of
a long lasting peace in Burma.

With Best regards, U Ne Oo.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dr U Ne Oo
48/2 Ayliffes Road
St Marys SA 5042
Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

August 3, 1994.

To: groups and individuals

Re: The Ceasefire Agreements in Burma
-------------------------------------
Warment  greetings  from Adelaide and firstly wishing to thank you for your
efforts in helping Burmese people and their struggle for democracy.

As you have been a person/organization which  closely  working  with  Burma
pro-democracy  groups, I would like to call your attentions to the concerns
raised in the enclosed documents. In particular, the proposal  for  DAB  to
enter  ceasefire  on  the  condition  that  they  be able to participate in
policical process and writing a just constitution.

My appeal to you - as a  person/organization  influential  on  the  Burma's
prodemocracy  groups - it to persuade DAB to enter ceasefire agreements and
also to give helps in any  possible  way  to  consolidate  their  political
position.

I believe this is the critical time for pro-democracy groups to focus their
attention  on  the  political  developments and also to be vigilant. As the
pro-democracy groups have unfortunately been scattered throughout the globe
and, for most part, under  suppressions,  the  advise  from  the  NGOs  and
expatriate  groups are vital for their very survival. Please help as anyway
you can.

I usually work with a small Adelaide based NGO - the Burma Action(SA) - and
various expatriate groups within Australia, but this initiative has  to  be
considered  largely  of my own and may not necessarily reflect the views of
those groups.

ONce again, I thank you for your kind attentions and helps.
Yours sincerely, U Ne Oo.

*********
THE DIALOGUE FOR NATIONWIDE CEASEFIRE IN BURMA
A CALL FOR ACTION TO NGOS AND PRO-DEMOCRACY GROUPS
--------------------------------------------------
Date: August 3, 1994.

As you may already know, the UNHCR made a statement on  21  JUne  regarding
with  repatriation  of  Burmese refugees in Thailand. In the statement, the
UNHCR informed of its willingness to monitor and  assist  the  repatriation
and  also  urged both SLORC and democratic forces to implement ceasefire in
order to create a safe return for refugees. The SLORC'S foreign minister at
the Bangkok ASEAN meeting has indicated that the junta will talk  with  the
UN Secretary General. This appear to be the first step towards repatriation
of  refugees  in  Thailand  as  well  as  a  starting  point for a possible
mediation of Burma's conflicts by the international community.

There have been news about Nai Shwe Kyin has been assigned to a senior  DAB
post  and  DR Naing Aung and Moe Thee Zun ABSDF factions are going to unite
into one team. These have been encouraging  signs  from  democratic  forces
that may actually leads to their consolidations. The NCGUB have also made a
suggestion  on  12  July  that  the current process of writing constitution
should be abandoned. This has been  a  necessary  step  to  create  a  just
constitution for all the people of Burma.

>From  NGO's  point  of  view,  the  best way to help the refugees and these
democratic forces to urge UN to  make  a  'Comprehensive  Response  to  the
Refugee  Problem'.  This  includes  the  UNHCR  verification  of ceasefire,
monitoring human rights situation as well as safety of returnees, and  that
follows  by UN assisting in reintegration process. We, the NGOs, should put
forwards such a proposal to the UN in the forthcoming UNGA.

At present, the  democratic  forces  should  be  encouraged  to  enter  the
ceasefire agreement. The agreement should be signed upon the condition that
(1)  the  democratic  forces,  i.e.  the exiled parliamentarians as well as
ethnic freedom fighters (including that of student rebels), must be able to
participate in political process and drafting of a just constitution;(2)  a
time  table  for  completing  constitution  with  transfer  of power to the
civilian government must be presented; (3) the UN must be able to supervise
in writing of the constitution and (4)  the  ceasefire  agreement  must  be
implemented under the supervisions.

It  appears  that  DAB  also  need to promote a concrete strategy on how to
transform itself to a political organization. In this regards, K.I.O.  have
formulated their strategy, for example, the need to retain arms until a new
(Federal) constitution is in place; the necessity to form a political party
and  a  provision for the disarmament at a final stage. DAB certainly needs
to formulate a similar strategy. These strategy must be in consistent  with
the UN human rights/humanitarian policy towards Burma.

Presently,  the DAB is seen as a mere grouping of highly autonomous bodies.
Only after  a  concrete  policy  being  formulated,  that  will  becomes  a
political  organization.  The  DAB  undoubtedly  have a lot of sympathizers
abroad. However, these sympathizers can not help  in  practice  unless  the
democratic  forces  have  made the public known of their strategy on how to
establish a Federal Union. In particular, the Burmese populace inside  have
to be explained about this policy.

It is also important that the democratic forces must be able to judge their
proposals  are  truly  achievable. An unreasonable or unrealistic proposals
can discourage the international community. So far, the  democratic  forces
have  been good in regards to cooperating with the international community.
But they always must be aware  that  present  repatriation  movement  is  a
purely  humanitarian  in  nature and therefore resist the temptation to use
this movement as a bargaining chip for their political ends. The democratic
forces must always show their willingness to put the welfare of the  people
of  Burma above their political interests and, at the same time, not giving
in too much in the ways of SLORC.

**************************************************************
LETTER FROM UNHCR (CANBERRA 16/8/94)
------------------------------------
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
Office of Regional Representative for Australia
New Zeland and the South Pacific
9 Terrigal Crescent
O'Malley, A.C.T. 2606

Telephone:(+61 6) 290 1355
Fax: (+61 6) 290 15

16 August 1994

Dear Dr. Oo,

I refer to your letter of 3 August 1994 in which  you  inform  us  of  your
interest in promoting a ceasefire between SLORC and the Democratic Alliance
of Burma (DAB) and in promoting a democratic Burma.

I should like to thank you in particular for the attachments to your letter
which  included  many  excellent  references/materials of a factual nature.
They also gave us a clear idea of your activities and ideals.

On behalf of UNHCR I can assure you  that  we  will  continue  to  seek  an
improvement  in  the political climate in Burma so that not only will it be
possible for Burmese refugees to return to Burma, but so  that  there  will
also  be far less reason for future outflows of refugees. UNHCR's Office in
Thailand is taking  a  particularly  active  role,  notably  of  recent  in
connection  with  the  problems  in  Halockhani  Camp  about  which you are
undoubtedly aware.

In closing, I should like to thank you for your obvious interest  in  human
rights  and  the  plight of refugees. With the organization, commitment and
perserverance that people such as yourself display, "people power" is given
substance and we in the U.N. are encouraged.

Yours sincerely,
Sd. PIerre-MIchel Fontaine
Regional Representative.

/* Endreport */