REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS (22/2/96)

[uneoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

/* Written Tue 20 Mar 6:00am 1996 by DRUNOO@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* ----------------------" Letter from the ICRC "---------------------- */

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
Geneva

22 February 1996

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

Dear Sir,

We  thank  you  for  your letter dated 6th of February 1996 addressed to Mr
J.M. Monod, requesting the International Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  to
investigate incidents related to the treatment of prisoners in the Union of
Myanmar.

First  of  all,  let us clarify the following regarding the legal basis for
ICRC to operate in situations of internal  strife  warranting  humanitarian
action,  as  it  is the case in Myanmar: in those situations the ICRC has a
right of humanitarian initiative which is recognised in the Statues of  the
International  Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This allows it to offer
its  services  to  governments  without  that  offer  being   regarded   as
constituting  interference in the internal affairs of the State. The actual
implementation by the ICRC of the proposed activities is  then  subject  to
the acceptance of the concerned governments.

In the case of Myanmar, the ICRC initiated negotiations with the government
in  order  to  carry  out  its  traditional  activities  of  protection and
assistance to victims of the prevailing situation. As you  rightly  mention
it in your letter the ICRC closed its office in Yangon in June 1995, mainly
due to the fact that these negotiations came to a dead lock.

Thus,  as no agreement could be reached with the government of the Union of
Myanmar, the ICRC is unfortunately not in a position to fulfil its  mandate
of protection of the persons you are referring to.

However  we  would  like  to  assure  you  that  the  humanitarian problems
affecting number of people in the Union of Myanmar remain of great  concern
to the ICRC. We are hopeful, despite the difficulties mentioned above, that
an  agreement  can  be  reached  with  the authorities finally allowing the
institution to undertake its humanitarian activities.

Hoping that these comments  will  be  useful,  and  thanking  you  for  the
interest you are taking in our work, we remain,

Yours sincerely,
Sd. Max Hadorn
Head of South Asia Desk.
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LETTER FROM MR ALEXANDER DOWNER, M.P.
*************************************
ALEXANDER DOWNER, M.P.
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MAYO
76 Mt Barker Rd, Stirling SA 5152

26 February 1996.

Dear Dr Ne Oo,

Thank  you  for  sending  me  a  copy  of  your letter to the International
Committee of the Red Cross regarding the plight of prisoners and members of
former rebels in eastern Burma.

I appreciate your efforts in keeping me informed of the situation in Burma.

Yours sincerely,
Sd. Alexander Downer

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