REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS (27/11/95)

[uneoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 06:19:24 +1030
/* Written 27 Nov 6:00am 1995 by DRUNOO@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* -----------" Letter to U.S. Dept of State (27/11/95) "----------- */

Dr U Ne Oo
48/2 Ayliffes Road
St Marys SA 5042
AUSTRALIA

November 27, 1995.

The Hon. Warren Christopher
The Secretary of State
United States Department of State
United States of America

Dear Secretary

RE: Ceasefires and National Convention in Burma
-----------------------------------------------
I  should  like to draw the Hon. Secretary's attention to the political and
military conflicts that are continuing in Burma. In this connection, I have
enclosed my letter to the U.N.  Special  Rapporteur  for  Human  Rights  in
Myanmar,  Professor  Yozo  Yokota,  requesting  assistance  from the United
Nations. I also  enclosed  my  letter  to  the  Assistant  Secretary  on  4
September 1995 concerning with ceasefires and international arms embargo on
Burma.

On  22 NOvember 1995, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which is the
winner of May 1990 election in Burma, has expressed its  concern  that  the
ongoing  National Convention organised by Burma's military authorities will
not meet the expectations of the people of Burma. Therefore, it  is  urgent
to  open  dialogue  between the National League for Democracy party and the
military authority in Burma.  I  also  believe  that  the  United  Nations'
assistance in framing a constitution in Burma will create the atmosphere of
trust  and  confidence  between  those  disputing  parties.  This will also
encourage the ethnic minority rebels that are seeking  to  form  a  federal
union  of  Burma to enter ceasefire with the Burmese military. I appeal the
Government of United States to make measures for  initiating  the  dialogue
between the NLD, ethnic minorities and military authorities in Burma.

I  particularly  appeal the Government of United States to actively support
the initiatives for ceasefire between the  Karen  National  UNIon  and  the
Burmese military. The UNHCR in Thailand have been making efforts to improve
humanitarian  situation  in  that  area  and there is an urgency to promote
ceasefire between these  disputing  parties.  I  appeal  U.S.  Government's
support  in  taking the necessary and proportionate measures through United
Nations Security Council regarding this matter.

It was reported that the drug warlord KHun Sa has been  stepped  down  from
his  post  and therefore it is appropriate to encourage teh Burmese army to
make ceasefire with those ethnic rebels.

I also call upon your government's assistant in implementing  international
arms  embargo  on Burma. China, Burma's major arms supplier, has reportedly
made promise to  refrain  from  selling  arms  to  Burma.  However,  it  is
important  that the United States must take a leading role in promoting the
U.N. Security Council resolution regarding international  arms  embargo  on
Burma.

Finally,  I should like to thank the U.S. Department of States and the U.S.
Congress for your continuing efforts in promoting peace in Burma.

Yours respectfully and sincerely
U Ne Oo

copy to:
1. Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, The  Secretary-General  of  the  U.N.,  United
Nations, New York NY 10017, U.S.A..
2.  Senator  the  Hon.  Gareth  Evans,  The  Minister  for Foreign Affairs,
Parliement House, Canberra ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA.

/* --------" Letter to the U.S. Assistant Secretary (4/9/95) "-------- */
/* --------------" Letter reposted "----------------------- */
Subject: A LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE (4/9/95)

Dr U Ne Oo
48/2 Ayliffes Road
St Marys SA 5042
Adelaide, Australia

September 4, 1995.

The Hon. Winston Lord
Assistant Secretary of State
United States Department of State
United States of America.

Dear Assistant Secretary

RE: The United States policy on Burma
------------------------------------- 

I should like to, firstly, thank the Department of States, the U.S.
Congress and the Government of United States for your continuing interest
in Burma situations.  Resulting evidences are that some progress have been
made in regards to the national reconciliations in Burma:  the Opposition
leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released last July and the cease-fire
negotiations with ethnic minority rebels appears to be in progress.
Continuing attention and helps to the Burmese cause by the Government of
United States are needed to ensure further progress be made in regards to
democratizations in Burma. 

I am writing to the Assistant Secretary for forthcoming meeting on the
review of United States policy on Burma.  We were informed by our Burmese
democracy supporters in the U.S. that such meeting will be held in
September 7, 1995 and therefore making of my views known on such
discussion. I should like to request your government's committee to the
following matters be taken into considerations in such discussions: 

1. Cease-fire agreement with the ethnic rebels: It has been reported that
the leaders of the New Mon State Party are now in discussion with SLORC
for the military cease-fire.  The Karen National Union is also reportedly
preparing for cease-fire negotiation with SLORC. 

There has been reports of skirmishes between Karenni National Progressive
Party(KNPP) and SLORC troops. A quiet persuasions/mediations is needed for
the KNPP and SLORC to enter military cease-fire. The point must be made to
KNPP is that the genuine federal union for Burma is the only solution and
therefore to go along with other democratic forces in political
negotiations. 

A quiet and low profile mediations in regards to ethnic issues seems to be
the best way for resolving ethnic issues in Burma.  /* --------- */
Although there have been ethnic political alliance such as Democratic
Alliance of Burma, in practice, separate group's cease-fire must
considered to be acceptable. 

There has also been report of the drug-warlord Khun Sa's intention to
retire from Shan United Army. In this case, the cease-fire should include
the SUA along with other minority rebel groups. It, however, is up-to the
other democratic forces, such as the former members of Democratic Alliance
of Burma, to decide whether to include in their informal contact groups. 

2.  Regarding with the issue of trading with Burma and Burma's military
regime, there should be no objection to the international businesses
community entering Burma.  However, the business community must always be
reminded of the illegal status of SLORC and the vulnerability of their
contracts with SLORC.  The large scale investments which can encourage the
stay of present military government should be kept to minimum. 

3.  Consolidating the cease-fire: When the time is appropriate - possibly
the time that the federal solution for Burma been secured - the ethnic
rebels should be encouraged to renounce the armed struggle. 

Current armed struggle by ethnic minorities can be seen as the expression
of discontent over the Burman control of natural resources and unequal
attention (in which the minorities perspectives) to their own people by
the central government. The federal solution will solve both problems in
the longer term.  For the immediate future, however, the reduction of
human rights abuses in minority areas and welfare/financial security for
those who have engaged in armed struggle will be important. 

The large size of Burmese army have also been a threat to the cease-fire
and long term stability. A large army with its leadership despised by its
own people can be a potential for future coups. It is time to plan to
reduce the size of army personnels.  It may be possible for army
personnels including younger officers to transform to normal work force.
Plans should be made for retraining/rehabilitation of army personnel along
side with general populace. 

4. Repatriation of refugees: Continuing close attention to the situation
of refugees in various countries are necessary.  The Memorandum of
Understanding must be promoted in coordination with UNHCR by respective
governments which housed Burmese refugees. Burmese refugees have, since
1988, scattered not only Burma's neighbouring countries but also
throughout the world:  including Australia, Japan, U.S. and Germany.
Therefore, promoting the Memorandum of Understanding by such countries
will have a good coordinated effect on the repatriation of refugees. 

Although the repatriation of refugee has been one of the most successful
issue regarding Burma, the UNHCR appears to have not been well resourced
for the Burma's repatriation projects:  it even been reported that only 9
UN personnels stationed in Arakan State for the 250,000 Rohingya
repatriation. In Burma's refugees case, the need for humanitarian
assistance( such as food etc) seems not so much in its urgency. However
the monitoring activity by UN personnels seems to be much more important
and urgent for the successful repatriation. I appeal the U.S.  Congress to
support the UNHCR in resourcing of such projects within Burma. 

5.  International Arms Embargo: Along with promoting cease-fire, the U.S.
Congress should continue to push the international arms embargo on Burma.
This is particularly necessary as the international business activity been
gaining momentum in Burma. Even though the large scale investments can be
control in principle, every effort must be made to ensure that any
cash-flow into Burma not being used in building-up of arms. 

6.  Development Issues: A plan of development for Burma is also
appropriate to discuss at this time.  The UNDP should look into large
scale infrastructure developments that may be necessary for future Burma.
As soon as the critical political issues, such as reconciliations with
ethnic minorities and the transfer of power, been resolved in Burma, the
UNDP must take steps to implement large scale developments projects. 

The human resource developments should also be given priority.  Burma's
current generation is reasonably well educated - however lacks useful
skills for work. The human resource development is not the works of UN
Agencies alone - the business community must participate in such action.
Much more coordinated plans are needed between those people who engaged in
Burma. 

7.  Human Rights developments: The international community should continue
to encourage the gradual relaxation of the government's oppressive laws.
The release of all political prisoners, the repeal of oppressive laws and
the building of independent judiciary should be given the priority. 

Finally,  on  behalf of the Burmese refugees, I should like to  express  my
sincere   thank   the   U.S. Department  of State and the Congress for your
financial commitments in assisting the refugees in Thailand in particular.


Yours respectfully and sincerely,
Sd. U Ne Oo.

\underline{copy to:}\\ 1. Ms Sadako Ogata, UNHCR, Case Postale 2500,
CH-1211 Geneva-2 Depot, SWITZERLAND\\

2. Mr Jan Eliasson, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs,
United Nations, New York NY 10017, U.S.A.\\

3. Senator The Hon. Gareth Evans, The Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Trade, Parliament House, Canberra 2601, AUSTRALIA\\

ENCLOSURES
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