Dr. Win Naing's Press Conference, T

[win9@xxxxxxxxx]

" Dr．Win Naing's Press Conference "

Date ......... Aug. 17, 1998
Time ......... 4:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m
Place ........ Myanmar Embassy, Tokyo, JAPAN

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                         "Bio-Data"

Name: ...................................  Win Naing
Date of Birth:  .........................  25 March, 1959
Education ..............................  Ph.D (Information Science -
1989)
Granted refugee status on ......... 11 March, 1992
Refugee status serial 
number   .................................... 198
Membership and posts assumed
In various organizations -       
(1) Burmese Association in Japan (BAIJ).
    General Secretary, 1988  to 1989.
(2) Burmese Association in Japan (BAIJ)
    Chairman, 1989 to 1995.
(3) Burmese Association in Japan (BAIJ)
    Executive Committee Member,
    1995 to 1996.
(4) Resident Representative of the NCGUB,  
   1992 to 1995.
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        Declaration (A Personal Viewpoint)
                          ( English Translation ) 

                                                      Dated  17 August,
1998

1.   The United Nations Charter in its definition on refugees status in
effect, that should a citizen of a nation be liable to arrest or any
form of oppression by his or her government for professing opposing
religious, racial or political convictions, then, it is the bounden duty
of all member nations
that have ratified the Charter, to give refugee to any person so
persecuted. On the cognizance of this pledge, I, (Win Naing) was granted
refugee status, serial number 198, by the government of Japan on 11
March, 1992.  This was indeed the very first time that Japan had granted
refugee status to an ordinary Myanmar citizen, such as I, along with his
family.  But I would like to publicly announce at this point in time,
that I have completed all official procedures to legally relinquish my
status as a political refugee.  This is also the first time in the
history of Japan for a person already granted refugee status to
voluntarily surrender it.

2.  If two opposing sides continue to confront each other over 
" which is white and which is black or which is right and which is
wrong" then it would be the people who would really suffer.  To bring
about changes and establish a certain level of democracy and democratic
conditions, rapprochement and dialogue are of the utmost necessity.  I
took the opportunity of submitting a motion for rapprochement to both
local and overseas opposition activists at Manerpalaw.  I proposed that
if the present Government would guarantee liberty for Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and  democratization, then similar assurance would be given for the
allotment of a certain number of seats in parliament for the military. 
I also stated that the present economic policies of the Government
should be maintained and continued.  My statements were reported in the
Japanese Asahi Evening newspaper , issued on 17 November 1994.  My sole
purpose in making these assertions was for the sake of " the material
and spiritual happiness and well being of each and every citizen and for
the future development and progress of Myanmar."

3.  It is my considered view that the present Myanmar government having
made a thorough study and appraisal of the diverse circumstances, has
been assiduously making every effort for the future progress of Myanmar
despite the fact that it has been beset with many difficulties.  " The
fact that it made
all endeavours to gain entry to the ASEAN, which is an international
organization, is in my opinion, proof that there has been a change
within the Government, and that it now has the will to change * * ."  I
also understand and accept the fact that though the Government has been
directing its efforts
towards change, much more needs to be done, and still further
improvements to be made for our Motherland, Myanmar.

4.  With regard to the Myanmar Government which has begun to initiate
change * * * , in fact , the Myanmar Government that is making great
efforts to change, there are two options open.
1)  To deplore and criticize it for failing to make adequate 
    changes.
2)  To take a constructive stand and render assistance as far   
    as possible to do what still needs to be done to bring  
    about further changes.
So far as I am concerned, in accordance with the position I have adopted
as stated in paragraph 2 of this Declaration, * * I have chosen the
second option to take a constructive stand and give every possible
assistance.

5.  There is a saying that the other person is simply a mirror image of
one*s own self, in much the same way that your reflection in the mirror
will smile back only if you smile at it.  So also, if the opposition
factions, in the interest of the future welfare of Myanmar, should
pursue a more flexible
approach (instead of persisting in confrontation with the Government), I
sincerely believe that the Myanmar Government in turn will extend a warm
welcome.  On the basis of this conviction, I, (Win Naing), in the
post-1996 period, requested the opposition groups to act in a more
pliable manner.  I,
(Win Naing), who was once a leader of the opposition, have, on my part,
"taken action to suit my words" and have given concrete proof of my
faith in, and adherence to a flexible policy by relinquishing the
political refugee status I had gained from the Japanese government.  I
have also resolved to continue to
abide by the dictum that " the other person is one*s own mirror image"
and persevere in my appeal to opposition groups to pursue a more
moderate line of action in the future interest of the country and of the
people.  I shall continue to urge them to give up their uncompromising
position, which calls for the government to accede to all their demands.

6.  Some of my old comrades in the Government opposition movement have
often asked me the question - "  We believe that the results of the 1990
general elections should be adhered to and implemented, * * * What Win
Naing is your stand on this matter?  My view is that, * * * if
unyielding attempts to enforce the results of the elections should lead
to adverse effects on the future of the country and the people in the
long term, then we should cease such action.  I believe that top
priority should be given to doing everything possible to fulfill
conditions, necessary for the material and spiritual well being of the
individual citizen and for the progress and advancement of the Myanmar
nation.

7.  The respective Myanmar and Japanese proverbs, " A person can be
moral only on a full stomach " and " No matter how large an army if food
supplies are cut off and the troops are hungry, then it can win no
battles. "  give  lessons on human weakness in practical everyday life. 
I, Win Naing, who is merely an
ordinary man, have a deep respect for  " human rights " and acknowledge
their importance.  But viewed either from the perspective of one man or
from the collective perspective of the country*s more than 45 million
people, to live and to exist, " human rights " is not necessarily the
sole important factor.
To fulfill the food, clothing and shelter needs for each human being, *
* * for each citizen, " the economy ", I believe, is also a matter of
great importance.  On the basis of this belief, I have resolved to do my
level best to help in any way I can to increase " sound and honest
economic investments " for the " future prosperity and progress of
Myanmar and its people."

8. The responsibility for the future progress and well being of a
country lies not in the hands of the Government alone.  It is my firm
conviction that each citizen also has a share of responsibility.  So my
fervent wish at present, is to share in this responsibility in the
spirit of at least " carrying a single brick or even a single grain of
sand " in building up my Motherland, Myanmar, into a prosperous and
developed nation.  I would further like to declare and reaffirm to all
here and now, that I shall, to the best of my ability, resolutely do my
duty for the future welfare of my country.

(Win Naing)
171-23, Akazawa, Ito-shi,
Shizuoka-ken, Japan
Tel.    (+81)-40-850-2738
Fax.    (+81)-557-53-3754 
E-mail  win9@xxxxxxxxx

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