Letters to the Editor_2004
(Page 16 of 20)
E-MAIL
PRINT
James Trottier
Charge d'Affaires
Embassy of Canada, Bangkok [Top]
Hope in Razali
May 19, 2003—May 27, 2003 is the 13th anniversary of Burma’s multi-party election. The election proved to the world that the Burmese people wished for a peaceful restoration of democracy in the country. The National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in that election, and though the international community recognized the result, the military regime did not respect the genuine desire of the people of Burma.
The United Nations wants to solve the problem by using a diplomatic solution and has sent its envoys in various ways—but no advantages are so far evident and there have been further challenges created by the regime. The latest development by UN envoy Razali Ismail has initiated great hope for both the Burmese and international communities. The regime has taken action, like unconditionally releasing of Aung San Suu Kyi, allowing her to take political tours in the country to open new party offices and setting free political prisoners.
After Razali’s last visit, I was deeply disappointed. The SPDC did not move an inch. It built an anti-Suu Kyi movement and imposed tough restrictions on political parties. Razali was himself disappointed and his future visits were delayed.
According to diplomatic sources in Rangoon, Razali will be permitted to visit Burma again on June 6. It is my opinion that after thirteen years of patience with the situation in Burma, the Burmese people will soon get to enjoy a peaceful and democratic life as our intelligent military leaders will cooperate to form a parliamentary government.
Ko San Lin
NLD Supporting Group, Saudi Arabia [Top]
Wannabe Chalabi: Getting it Right
May 19, 2003—The article "Wannabe's Chalabi's" by Satyar Sagar is an enjoyable, thought-provoking and indeed provocative read. The article, however, has two factual errors.
Firstly, the claim by Satyar Sagar that "a general election in 1990 … saw the opposition National League for Democracy winning a landslide victory with over 92 percent of the votes polled" is incorrect.
In fact the NLD won just under 60 percent of the votes and around 85 percent of the seats in the National Assembly, which was never convened.
Secondly, "Suharto rode to power in 1964 on the back of a genocide, killing over a million Indonesians as 'suspected Communists'."
Suharto did not come into power in 1964. He crushed an attempt coup on Sept 30, 1965. In fact Suharto did not formally assume the presidency and become Head of State of Indonesia until about March 1967 when Sukarno was forced to retire.
An Observer [Top]
Off the Mark
April 08, 2003—This letter is in response to the War or Peace special feature, which has over the past few weeks presented comments from Burmese on the war in Iraq.
Myint Thein states that they, the Burmese "Resistance" or his group of the Burmese Resistance, would "lobby" for—and the implication was that the US will willingly oblige—"swift American military action" if there was another "genocide" a la 1988 in Burma.
« previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 next page »
COMMENTS (0)
- Letters to the Editor — November, 2011
- Letters to the Editor — September, 2011
- Letters to the Editor — August, 2011
- Letters to the Editor — June, 2011
- Letters to the Editor — November, 2010
- Letters to the Editor — November, 2010
- Letters to the Editor — November, 2010
- Letters to the Editor — November, 2010
- Letters to the Editor — October, 2010
- Letters to the Editor — October, 2010