It might be okay if you're an expat

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

It might be okay if you're an expat

Bangkok Post
April 9, 1998

In a letter on Apr 4, Pat James claimed that "Burma offers quality of
life". First of all, I would like to point out that Mr James, a Texan
working for an oil company and living in Burma, is an expatriate and he has
not experienced the suffering that most Burmese people go through.

The expatriates, living with diplomatic immunity and earning US currency,
can live freely and affluently with maids, cooks and chauffeur. This kind
of life is only for foreign nationals like Mr James. 

How can Mr James compare his experiences of "peace of mind" and "quality of
life" with an average Burmese person? An average Joe is making 1,000
kyat/month (equivalent of approximately $4) when the price of chicken is
over 100 kyat/kilo. Most people in Burma are starving despite the presence
of multinational corporations.

Investments from foreign companies are the lifeblood of the military
regime. The very same military regime has killed thousands of peaceful
demonstrators, has jailed thousands of activists for speaking out, and has
refused to hand over power to the rightful government.

If Mr James had seen his children shot and killed in front of his eyes by
the soldiers ruling Burma, or if Mr James had ever been thrown into jail
and tortured for speaking his mind like citizens of Burma, he would not be
claiming that "Burma offers quality of life". 

Pwint Htun 
Spokane, Washington