Message to Human Rights Activists :

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Message to Human Rights Activists : Get Real

>From:	M  Eastman@xxxxxxx

Message to Human Rights Activists : Get Real

		Thirteen demonstrators were arrested outside the Burmese Embassy in
Washington, D.C last Monday for trespassing on Embassy property, chaining
themselves to the railings in front of the Embassy and being a nuisance to the
neighbourhood. If convicted, they face up to $ 500 in fines or six months in
jail. The court should show no mercy to the demonstrators. It must send a
message to the world that such behaviour is unacceptable and  emphasise the
importance of dealing firmly with such infractions so that things do not get
out of hand.

		It is a shame that those self-appointed champions of human rights and
democracy have no regard for the norms of civilized society. It is one thing
for them to demonstrate for human rights but quite another to intrude on the
porperty of a foreign mission and hinder the normal functioning of diplomats.
Their unruly acts debase the very rights they seek to promote.

		The behaviour of the demonstrators is gauche and despicable. The act of
intruding upon Embassy property and disturbing the peace borders on terrorism
and must be condemned. What kind of message do the  activists  think they are
sending to student organizations and democratic movements around the world by
resorting to such obnoxious behaviour ? What a spectacle they must have been
to television audiences who expect better from American students !  Is this
the face of democracy they want to present to the people of Burma on whose
behalf they are  shrilling for ? Burma and other developing countries would
surely prefer a disciplined, egalitarian and tolerant society over one where
hooligans prevail.

		If human rights activists are serious about promoting the welfare of the
people of Burma they should start by  shedding their " better than thou "
attitude and allowing the Burmese to fashion their own destiny.

		It is time to get real and focus on how to assist the Burmese in their
endeavour to develop economically and socially instead of concentrating on
ratcheting up pressure on them.
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