Support: Freedom of Expression! (r)

[thaung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

At 09:33 PM 9/29/97, you wrote:
>         SUPPORT: Freedom Of Expression
>        
>Support for the democracy movement in Burma and freedom of
>expression are quite different issues.  One can be a supporter 
>for the democracy movement while criticizing the particular groups.      
>
>On 19August, 1997, we heard a program from Radio Free Asia 
>(Burmese Service)about the execution in ABSDF.  We were quite amazed for 
>the courage of the radio station and we were very glad that it did.  
>Before then, we thought there was no one (except Amnesty International 
>and some human rights groups) who pointed out any weakness of the 
>oppositions on the border. Many students in Bangkok, who left the border 
>for frustration of what had happened, expressed their concern that 
>someone should have done it before for a departure to a good change. The 
>ABSDF students who are now taking shelter in 
>the various refugee camps were also glad about it and hoped
>that it could make the leaders think for a change.   
>
>However, the responses from the leaders, as far as we heard in 
>Bangkok were quite astounding.  They were angry for that program.  Even 
>a leader said they listened RFA because of its support for democracy but 
>now he said he would not listen it any more because he thought RFA was 
>not supporting democracy. Some leaders said it was 
>not the time to do it.  we have been  curious how will they respond 
>to the radio station since then.
>
>If it is not the right time, when will it be the right time?  We
>want them to think and compare that if SLORC says that it is not the 
>right time for criticism, how can we change the society and how can 
>we educate the people about what is happening and how can we let people 
>learn from the events?  We all are hesitant to admit our disorienting 
>dilemmas.  It doesn't. (A woman whom we know, Mi Mi Khaing who was from 
>NLD accused of being a spy and tortured and interrogated by Dr. Naing 
>Aung led ABSDF.  She was released lately). We wish Radio Free Asia 
>interviewed her about her experience in ABSDF interrogation centre. (Ne 
>Win Aung is also free and is living in Bangkok.He can also tell his 
>experience in the interrogation centre).
>  
>It is quite irrational to say that someone is not supporting 
>democracy movements for pointing out the weakness.  When we say like 
>this, we should notice that we are behaving like BSPP or SLORC and we 
>are copying their BAD EVIL BEHAVIOURS instead of removing them from our 
>daily activities.  The events can devastate ourselves and for 
>such reasons, many students feel insecure to make a
>change within ourselves.  Therefore many students have abandoned the
>border struggle.   We should be facing the reality and we should not be 
>afraid of learning from the mistakes that we made.
>        	
>We hope that we should make every efforts to stop such awful events
>and we should analyse ourselves for a better changes.  Internal changes 
>are necessary among us and we will never be able to 
>establish a peaceful and democratic country  if we don't  remove 
>those habits ourselves.  We hope that Radio Free Asia will stand 
>firm from its right direction.
>
>With respect,
>A Group of *8888 Pro-democracy Students
>
>Down with Dictator! Down with SLORC! Down with Evil-revolutionaries!   
>********************************************************************
>
>
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Thank you. This is the most healthy tonic for the democracy revolution.
thaung>