Burma seminar

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SEMINAR ON BURMA
 
On 29, March 1997
At the Jawahalal University in New Delhi
Organized by Division of South-East Asia & South-West and Pacific Studies 
of the School of International Studies
Topic: Recent developments in Burma and its implications for Indian security
 
Program
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Chaired by professor Baladas Ghoshal
 
Presentations:
Dr. B.D. Arora (Asso. Prof., JNU), "Internal political developments in 
Burma; democratic struggle and suppression of human-rights"
Dr. I.P. Singh (Former ambassador), "Some aspects of the political 
development in Burma; Implications for India"
Lt. Gen. V.K. Nayyar (Formerly Indian Army), "India-Burma border; 
Political Economic and Security implications"
Commander C. Uday Bhaskar (India Defense Service Academy), "Burma; 
Implications for Indian security"
Maj.-Gen. D. Banerjee (Formerly India Defense Service Academy), "India's 
Burma policy"
U Tin Maung Win (DAB), "Indo-Burma Relation"
Among the participants were Dr. Tint Swe (NCGUB), U Ramjeet Verma 
(NLD/LA), Dr. Zaw Win Aung (FTUB) and U Maw Thiri (Ret. AIR supervisor).
 
Excerpts:
Dr. I.P. Singh advocated for "Constructive Disengagement".
Lt. Gen. V.K. Nayyar advocated for "Gradual approach and to be bilateral"
Commander C. Uday Bhaskar advocated that Burma is "1A" for India's 
foreign policy.
Maj.-Gen. D. Banerjee said all India's neighbors should be democratic, 
secular and united.
U Tin Maung Win pointed out he was afraid to read the reports that 
India-trained Burma Army killed its own people and no investment in Burma 
now.
Dr. Tint Swe commented that only a democratic government can bring Indian 
borders and waters secure and can protect Indian business in Burma 
because there is no rule of law 
and only NLD is legitimate.
 
>From the floor:
Anglo-Saxon sentiment against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
No Anglo-Saxon at all.
How Chinese influence in Burma was extensive?
He was told by Khin Nyunt that Aung San was the father of Burma.
Burmese people are tolerant to rich Chinese while not to rich Indians in 
Burma.
This is not true. Many Indians are doing business well there.
Drugs flowing in through India-Burma border more in the last 10 years.
Small arms are accumulating in the North-East of India.
Only a democratic rule can solve such problems,
India needs energy from Bay of Bangal.
Not now. Energy flows with politics.
Cease-fire agreements between SLORC and ethnic groups are just temporary. 
It can explode at any time.
Was the SLORC behind the recent Buddhist-Muslim riots?
Yes it was.
India should deal with both the government in power and equally with Aung 
San Suu Kyi.
How can India play to see Burma a democratic, secular and united country?
India's interest is her image, democracy. No arms from India. Speak out. 
Use the UN to implement the resolutions on Burma.
Constructive disengagement means relations on cultural, border tradings. 
But not political and investment.
 
End report