Coordinating International Pro-Demo

[RAMyint@xxxxxxx]

To: Burma Net and All Freedom Fighters:

          707 Continental Circle, #1136
          Mountain View, CA 94040
          Tel: 650-691-1168

1. Regarding SLORC/SPDC

The change from SLORC to SPDC, with the arrest or detention of obviously
corrupt
generals, at first seemed to be in the right direction and we were hopeful.
But all
actions by the SPDC since then, have confirmed our worse fears. This was a
planned
changing of the guards, and we see that most of the SPDC members and Cabinet
Ministers are officers with ranks of G

enerals (mostly Lt. Generals). These officers
rose to these high ranks under the guidance and mentoring of SLORC. I am sure
that many amongst them were given these posts as recognition for being loyal
and
faithful followers of SLORC. Thus, we should not expect them to be any
different.

2. Regarding US/EU and other Sanctions/Boycotts.

We in the San Francisco Bay Area will continue to support sanctions as part of
our
strategy. This may not result in change but makes daily life for the SPDC
Generals
difficult. It makes them unhappy and at the same time makes us feel good.

Most of the Burmese people I have talked to, agree with this strategy. Even
those
from inside, support these efforts inspite of the hardships. Only a few,
including a
number of my personal friends have complained. They happen to be business and
economic opportunists whose plans are jeopardised by sanctions.

3. Support for Refugees, Ethnic Minorities nd Freedom Fighters (including
AGSDF)

We will do what we can and will continue to lobby all US Gov. Non-Governmental
and UN Organizations to provide humanitarian support for these people in the
border
areas. This effort has to be given priority at this time because of the
economic
downturn in Southeast Asia. Our peoples, in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and
in
the border area with India are in trouble.

4. Support for NLD and NCGUB

We will continue to support these organizations as duly elected
representatives of
the peoples of Burma. This is to insure that we and the International
Community
have an alternative Burmese Government established and ready to assume power
as and when needed.

5. Power sharing as a means for change.

Most people (especially our non-Burmese friends) are not fully aware of the
history
of the Burmese Army and its role and place in Burmese society. We only see it
for
its ruthless role during the brutal suppression of popular demonstartions of
1988. I go
on record, and state that the Burmese Army (including Air and Navy) is
basically a
good organization made up of a vast majority of good people.

But bad leadership and a bad system has brought great pain and suffering to
the
people and shame and disgrace to a once honorable and proud Army. Ne Win and
the Revolutionary Council that took over from U Nu in 1962, took the first
step toward
creating a socialist state under military dictatorship by forming the BSPP.
With the
failure of the BSPP, the democracy uprising of 1988, and losing the elections
to the
NLD under Aung San Suu Kyi in 1990, Ne Win continues to hold on to power with
the help of SLORC now renamed SPDC

5. Prospects for change.

The preferred scenario for change in Burma would be the Generals deciding that
things cannot go on the same way and that it was time for a dialogue with the
NLD
and all ethnic minority groups to establish a coalition government. A power
sharing
arrangement would be the basis for this change with a timetable towards a true
civilian governemnt.

Another way that change may come about, is that the severe economic hardships
the country is currently enduring, worsened by the Asian crisis will lead to
total
breackdown within the country. The people could bring matters to a head with a
general strike. This scenario, I believe is more probable. Based on the
current state
of the Burmese economy, the economi.es of neighbouring countries, the mindset
of
the SPDC Generals and the volatile nature of the Burmese people, Burma is
sadly,
proceeding towards this end which is not necessarilly inevitable. The generals
have
to come to their senses and decide which scenario they want. It is obvious
which
one thay would choose if only, they really loved their country and their
people more
than power, and the richess that come with power.


Note:

Richard Aung Myint served in the Burmese military from 1955-1965. He graduated
from the Defence Services Academy in 1959 and completed Flight Training in
1960.
Served as a pilot in the Air Force, resigned in 1965 and immigrated to US in
1966.