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Statement by BYVA-Japan



ON THE STATE-CONTROLLED PRESS, THE NATIONAL CONVENTION AND AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Statement by Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)

June 25, 1997

We have read, with disgust, the recent commentaries in Burma's
state-controlled press regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the national
convention.  Leaving aside the issue of whether or not she and the National
League for Democracy wish to rejoin the national convention, we simply
cannot remain silent while the losers in the 1990 national elections heap
abuse on our chosen national leader.  When they insult her, they insult us.

As proponents of free speech, we acknowledge that everyone, regardless of
their intelligence or demonstrated lack thereof, has a right to his or her
opinion.  However, with this right come certain responsibilities --
responsibilities which SLORC is apparently too weak to shoulder.  These include:

COURAGE.  When Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speaks, she does so in her own voice,
showing her own face, using her own name.  SLORC operatives, on the other
hand, are terrified of using real names, either their own or hers.  A
courageous and honest writer does not need to hide behind a pseudonym.

FAIRNESS.  The power of free speech is that it creates a marketplace of
ideas from which society can separate truth from lies.  If SLORC has
confidence that their ideas and opinions can withstand challenge, it should
allow dissenting opinions in its newspapers, or at least restore Daw Suu's
phone line so that she could speak for herself.

TRUTH.  Writers confident of their views can speak the truth without fear.
SLORC, however, relies on irrelevant facts, inflammatory insults and
outright lies to make its point.  SLORC proves the saying from ancient Greek
that "in war, truth is the first casualty."

Case in point:  The writer of the recent commentaries claimed that the
national convention is not "a licenseless bootleg liquor shop."  Actually,
it is:  SLORC, having lost the 1990 elections, has no "license" (as in legal
right) to convene the convention, making it a "bootleg" (that is, illegal)
gathering.  (Never mind that "opium den" would be a more appropriate
metaphor than "liquor shop".)  The only way to legitimize the national
convention is by allowing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for
Democracy to take a leading role in deciding the future of Burma, a
responsibility that the voters of Burma have entrusted to them, and them alone.

#   #   #

Information Committee
Burma Youth Volunteer Association ( Japan )