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Dear Ko Nyein Chan,

I don't know who you really are, but I have been seeing your messages on
burmanet regarding your comment on NCGUB and recently on the ABSDF. My name
is Aung Myo Min, a former student in 1988. Please note that this is my real
name since I was born.

Let me say I am not defending you about your comment on the NCGUB and the
ABSDF before I go further. . As a person who respects the fundamental human
rights, I really appreciate and respect the freedom of expression. Some idea
and comment on the Burmanet are very appreciated and valuable for the
struggle of our movement, I frankly say.  Burmanet has become the very easy
and effective way to get information on Burma and great resource for the
researchers and activists on Burma. As the saying, " the world is getting
smaller and become a global village", communication and information exchange
are getting so fast and is making great help to the activists for the
democracy and human rights in Burma.

 However, I am frustrated by reading your recent message saying that " I am
just wondering why ABSDF is very quiet about those issues itself " and " We
can't see any reply from ABSDF." I am wondering what is your real motive
posting your message to the net. If you are trying to make a comment and
expecting to get the response message from your target organization or
person, you can send directly to the specific email address and say their
response is welcome. I think this is the best way to do for you.

The other thing I wish to point out is, please don't underestimate the ABSDF
members along the border. I am having the regular contact with the ABSDF
members from the different camps along the border.  They have not been out
of date with the outside world. Though they don't have the access to the net
like you, they know what is going on in the world well. They are not blindly
working in the ABSDF because they have no chance to go to Bangkok or other
third countries. Their commitment and their determination are admirable for
their almost ten years time in the border.  I really respect them for their
sacrifice and commitment. 

I love to admit that ABSDF had/has the some weaknesses in their functioning
and their mistake has become a great loss for their reputation and their
organization. However, you must aware of that these people are not natural
born perfect persons. We have lived under the one party repressive
government and left from the classroom. I am ready to admit not only the
ABSDF, but all other student organizations (even the other revolunationary
forces) have had the mistakes due to their lack of experience. History is
the good book we should learn lessons. But, keep blaming one mistake forever
is not fair, I think. Moreover, giving discredit to the whole ABSDF for one
mistake by some of their responsible leaders is not right. 

Regarding the people who apply for the UNHCR status in recent months, there
are some number of ABSDF did that way. (sorry I am not able to give you the
exact numbers). But they applied for the UNHCR in Bangkok not because they
no longer believe in the ABSDF, but because of the current situation which
became difficult along the border. They are still giving respect and
understanding to the colleagues who still remain in the ABSDF. Blaming to
the ABSDF activities and criticizing to the ABSDF leaders are not the good
reasons to get refugee status at the UNHCR and resettlement in the third
countries like before. As far as I know, ABSDF people here also help them as
much as they can. They now understand that as long as people are fighting
for the cause, they will be the forces for our revolution. Only thing we
need is understanding each other, while blind criticism does not work.

Your response is highly appreciated. You can send it to me directly, because
I don't want to bother other burmanet readers with our personal
communication. Please excuse me for sending this to the Burmanet, as it is
my first response to Ko Nyein Chan message through Burmanet.


Sincerely


Aung Myo Min


At 04:10 AM 10/8/97, you wrote:
>Hi Ko Aung Kyaw,
>                Well, I have to say that I didn't send misleading 
>information.  You can confirm that informations easily.  In UNHCR, you 
>can find out how many people actually applies from ABSDF within thsoe 
>three months and I didn't included the numbers who pretended as ABSDF.  
>Moreover, I got the number of surrender from my border source and it is 
>very reliable.  I still have ABSDF camps' locations and their numbers  
>but I haven't wanted to post it on the net.  I can do anytime though.  
>You must know that real number and (what we call on the border) the 
>proposal number are quite different you can easily confirm from NGOs 
>there.  
>              You just said "misleading information".  Why don't or 
>can't you say that those are wrong.  As far as I know you are working as 
>ABSDF representative for USA but why can't you tell?  It is ridiculous 
>to say misleading information without any explaination.  If we point out 
>something, you and the group say misleading or spy information.  We 
>can't see any reply from ABSDF.  I know ABSDF has many access to the 
>net.
>               It is great that some people on the border are trying to 
>change but as you sound without the acceptance to criticism by the 
>leaders, their voice will hardly appear.  As you confess, the rough 
>situation never let us attempt for change.  You can say here but you 
>can't say in ABSDF camps since your death is near you.
>              What is black mail though?  We are sending directly on the 
>net and we are not threatening ABSDF and others to do what we want but 
>we convince them to think themselves.  Is that black mail.  If so, no 
>one should criticize ABSDF and others and no one should point them out. 
>If someone does, it will become blackmail and he will become spy by 
>ABSDF means.  That is not accepting criticism and that sounds like 
>authoritarian rule though.  
>               I respect for your blind support for ABSDF.  I still 
>support all people on the border who are trying hard to change the 
>situation.  Since we have spent so much energy to change such situation 
>for the whole time, we can hardly focus potential consideration on enemy 
>and we all can use less energy to the enemy.  As you hesitately say, 
>the situation become rough and more difficult.  You know what you are 
>saying.  
>              I am just wondering why ABSDF is very quiet about those 
>issues itself.  ABSDF is very welcome if it wants to discuss about those 
>matters.   We are practicising our freedom of rights and the most 
>importantly why we do is we eagerly want to see ABSDF and all groups on 
>the border to be effective more and more.  
>                You must accept that the reality is reality and please 
>don't try to hide and cover it by  blocking the revelation of 
>information.  
>We hope ABSDF and all its members think what went wrong.  I am sure that 
>no one on the border except the leaders who have access to the net can 
>know what we are arguing.  We will find the way to let them know.   Does 
>ABSDF communicate well to its members?   I remember some students in 
>front line didn't know the split of ABSDF till they got back to camps 
>(every force has radio communication in the front line but the 
>information never went through).   Hope that ABSDF and all can practice 
>democratic/open exercises.
>Nyein Chan  
>
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