KALADAN NEWS

KALADAN NEWS

Dated: Sunday, January 23, 2005

ARAKANESE GROUPS WELCOME THE US CALL

Chittagong, Jan-23: Rohingya Arakanese leaders welcome the recent call of US President; George W. Bush to bring freedom to the darkest corners of the world and Dr. Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, Burma: "outposts of tyranny".

After hearing Bush’s speech, in which the American President emphasized his country’s intention to expand freedom and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions around the world, some Rohingya Arakanese leaders along the Bangladesh Burma border reacted with enthusiasm.

U Htun Sien, the spokesman of Arakan Rohingya National Organisation said, “We have strong confidence on US President Gorge W Bush and Dr. Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State that they will play active role to bring up democracy, human rights, peace and justice, toppling the military regime in Burma. We request to US to take all possible initiatives for the reformation of Burma as a country of peace building.”

Mr. Mohammad Sadek, the General Secretary of Rohingya Youth Development Forum (RYDF) stressed that US President George W. Bush shall give more and more attention on Burma’s human rights violation and dictatorial systems, where the modern colonialism has taken place in the country.

We believe that all kinds of colonialism, racism and unequal peace process would be barred in Burma with the approval of Senate, while Mr. Bush said that the Burmese democracy activists will be much encouraged when they know that the president of a super-power is backing their cause of restoration of democracy and rule of law in Burma.

“The US shall apply all kinds of pressure to see tangible results in Burma. Washington will have to make a hard decision in 2006, when Burma is due take over chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, and hold a regional summit,” said the Rohingya youth leader.

AFK Jilani, a leader of NLD, Arakan State, and exile in Bangladesh said, “The hint of Dr. Condoleezza Rice is quite appropriate for terming Burma as "outposts of tyranny". So, we are very much hopeful that she can put pressure to explore human rights sustainability in Burma in order to review the policies of ASEAN and China towards military tyranny. We are grateful to Dr. Rice and urge her to do for the resoration of freedom, liberty and democracy in Burma.

According to Mr. Aman Ullah, Secretary of Working Committee for Arakan State Constitution Drafting, “We still remember the address of James A. Baker, the then US Secretary of State, before the foreign minters of ASEAN States meeting in Manila on July 26, 1992. In which he urged ASEAN leaders to send “a loud and clear” message to Burma about what he termed its deplorable human rights record, especially “over the tragic plight of some 2,70,000 Rohingya refugees who driven from their homes into Bangladesh.”

We expect from the new secretary of state that more loud and clear message to the military junta in Rangoon to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners to respect the 1994 UN General Assembly resolution about Tripartite Dialogue.

It is a good opportunity for getting Mr. Bush in second time and also getting Dr. Rice who can play vital role for the political changes in Burma. They can also check the situation within all Burmese Opposition Forum in home and exile, especially constitutional affairs to reform the country with genuine federal union of Burma, said Mr. Aman Ullah.

According to a report of Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) “Understanding Burma” mentioned that “the power of SPDC is rooted in the deep racism that has permeated Burmese society since its beginnings; not only the racial supremacy complex which many Burmans are brought up with, but the racism of the Karen against the Burmans, the Burmans against the Shan, the Shan against the Wa, the Wa against the Shan, the Mon against the Burmans, the Rakhine against the Rohingyas, the Burmans against the Chinese, the Christians against the Buddhists and etc.”

Meanwhile, today’s political movement in homes and abroad is lingering by ethnic, religious and cultural conflict, while it creates misunderstanding among the groups. Influence has been imposed in the alliance by racism.

“Everybody has responsibility to respect human rights and dignity, while ensuring rights of all ethnic minorities of Burma in all affairs including constitutional affairs so as to be able to end racism, colonialism, discrimination and etc.” said Mohamed Taher, a spokesman of Arakan Human Rights Organization (AHRO).

Besides, Ross Dunkley, the chief editor of the Myanmar Times, a semi-government publication in Rangoon, has said: “One thing is pretty common. They all want George W. Bush and the UN to come into Myanmar (Burma) with a whole lot of guns and airplanes and jets and to solve the problem. They believe that's possible."

Other opposition groups inside and outside Burma favor increased pressure and tougher sanctions against the generals. # #

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