Letters to the Editor_2004

We, all the executive committee members of the association, have decided that both the writer and the editor should be accountable for publishing a writing that has tarnished the image of the

association.

Executive Committee

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Information Team

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

66 55 545495

P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak 63110, Thiland
www.aappb.net

[Top]

BAAT Swings Back

June 30, 2004—I am writing in response to the article about the Burmese American Association of Texas, or BAAT [“The Burmese American Association of Texas”, Vol.12 No.5, May 2004], claiming it is an SPDC-affiliated organization.

First, I wanted to inquire as to why this article was not properly researched. Without proper research, you are doing incredible damage. Let me explain.

The BAAT has been around for 40 years. It is a social organization that organizes Burmese parties, cultural ceremonies and concerts. It is not a political organization, although different members like myself are free to organize political work o­n our own.

Many members have lived in Texas long before the 1988 demonstrations ever occurred. Some old-timers have been in Texas for 20, 30 or 40 years. From my experience, some people have been disconnected from Burma for so long and others have little or no interest in politics. Even if there are relatives of the regime, they are remotely connected or disinterested, and have never affected what others like myself may do socially or politically.

Having been a member of several other Burmese social (or political) organizations in other places, it is amazing to me that BAAT has been around for so long. The reason is that they have strictly maintained their non-political stance for the good of the community here in Texas. People are accepted regardless of political affiliation, religion or ethnic group. Buddhists, Muslims and Christians have all co-mingled and participated in the community graciously for a long time and many ethnic groups are represented. It is a great place to meet other Burmese with similar interests or to work o­n personal projects, such as politics or volunteer work.

There are many former refugees in the organization, along with people who came here for jobs or people who grew up in the US. Many members of BAAT, me included, are actively involved in supporting and helping refugees find jobs and get o­n their feet o­nce they have been resettled. Today, many former refugees and student activists remain active members of BAAT. Any accusation that BAAT is government-sponsored or related is simply false and ridiculous.

Charlotte O’Sullivan
Texas, USA  [Top]

Burma: A Thorn in the Region

June 25, 2004—The European Union, or EU, made the right decision by canceling its upcoming meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, due to Burma’s membership in the group.

The EU’s decision should send a major signal to Asean that Burma is a thorn in the side of the region. Recently Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that “constructive engagement” would be more successful in promoting democratic reform in Burma than the harsh sanctions imposed by the US and EU.

It is regrettable that Malaysia believes in the mistaken policy of “constructive engagement” especially with a country so uncommitted to human rights as Burma. Under Asean’s current policy, it o­nly engages with the illegitimate regime. It is o­nly with the ruling State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC, that Asean has any economic ties or investments.

This is despite the National League for Democracy’s, or NLD’s, overwhelming victory in the 1990 elections. The elected NLD members are the true representatives of the people and future of Burma. Real “constructive engagement” o­n the part of Asean would entail dealing not o­nly with the SPDC, but the NLD and ethnic groups as well. The way things are being run now, Asean is not o­nly engaging the SPDC; Asean is supporting it.

In 1997 when Burma applied for Asean membership, the US and the EU urged the grouping to deny the military-run country that violates human rights and disregards political freedom so blatantly. But Asean accepted Burma and declared that through a policy of “constructive engagement” it would facilitate democratic change and political openness. Since then however, the junta has continually oppressed democratic forces within the country, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

There are currently more than 1,400 political prisoners in Burma, including 17 Members of Parliament-elect.