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"Until democracy prevails in Burma "(Myanmar), the international
community should refrain from interfering in our internal affairs by
economic means." 
Win Khet, chairman of the National League for Democracy, Liberated
Area.

"Their usual practice is very cunning because when they want to arrest
only 100, they arrest 1,000, and they release 900 afterward so the
international community thinks a lot of people are released," Khet said,
underscoring the need for the international community to look more
deeply into the junta's actions.
 

JAPAN TIMES
July 1, 1996

Myanmar activist urges world not to support junta

by Ako Washio
Staff writer

"Foreign interference in Myanmar's domestic politics" is usually taken
to mean sanctions or pressure from the interntional community on the
military junta over the human rights issues.  But for a leading
Myanmarese dissident "interference" means acceptance of the rule of
the junta by the international community evidenced by increasing aid or
investment.

"Until democracy prevails in Burma "(Myanmar), the international
community should refrain from interfering in our internal affairs by
economic means," Win Khet, chairman of the National League for
Democracy, Liberated Area, said in an interview.  "(To keep
recognizing the junta) is an insult to the people of Burma who already
gave the mandate to the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi (to govern the
nation)."

Khet stressed the importance of the international community putting
forward a united front in pressing the military regime to swiftly transfer
power to opposition leader Suu Kyi's NLD in line with the party's
landslide victory in the general election in 1990.   The junta, formally
known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, has refused to
recognize the results of the election.

The reclease of Suu Kyi in July last year after six years of house
detention was considered a significant step toward full democratization
of the country.  But the international community was again made to
wonder if the country is on the right track, when the junta started to
arrest mores than 250 NLD members ahead of the party's general
assembly in May.  

But foreign countries are not necessarily taking a concerted approach
toward Myanmar, with members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations showing the most sympathetic attitude toward the junta.

Khet said Myanmar is now "at the juncture of dialogue (between Suu
Kyi and the junta) and devastation," and said the junta is choosing the
latter by oppressing pro - democracy movements.

Under the current situation, he said Japan should put on hold all
economic aid to Myanmar because ordinary people are not benefitting
from the assistance.  

Following the 1988 military coup, Japan suspended economic aid
except for small amounts that Tokyo maintains are aimed strictly at
improving people's lives and not at stuffing the junta's pocket.

While Japanese officials hinted that the detention of NLD members in
May could discourage the early resumption of official yen loans to
Myanmar, they said they are not planning to shelve such ongoing
projects as the construction of a nursing school and efforts aimed at
expanding food production.

Khet maintained that the SLORC is "misusing" the aid.   Humanitarian
aid, for example, is being distributed by the Mother and Child Care
Association in Myanmar, a kind of nongovernmental organization that
is virtually controlled by the junta because the vice president of the
association is the wife of the first secretary of the SLORC, he said. 

"If you give humanitarian aid to such a military- controlled association,
it will go to the mothers and children of the military," said Khet.  "So
Japanese should go into details in studying the situation without just
looking at superficial things."

Khet came to Tokyo to attend a conference organized last week by the
Socialist International, the worldwide organization of socialist, social
democratic and labor parties.  Participants from more than 10 countries
discussed security, economic development and human rights in the Asia
- Pacific region.

Khet and some NLD members escaped to an area near the Thai border
in 1990 to avoid possible imprisonment and formed a new party, the
NLD Liberated Area.  Since 1993, Khet has lived in the U.S. and is
engaged in lobbying for the promotion of democracy in Myanmar.

He advocates economic sanctions against the country.

With the release of Suu Kyi, the SLORC has tried to prop up its image
and entice foreign companies eager to profit by developing one of the
world's poorest nations.  Japanese companies are not among top foreign
investors, but are regarded as potential investors.  A growing number of
businessmen have been visiting the country to look for opportunities.

The SLORC justifies its ability to run the country by pointing to recent
brisk economic growth and increased direct foreign investment.

But, counters Khet, "In reality, inflation is going higher and higher
every day, and income is very limited."  He said the price of eggs is 10
times what it was four years ago.

The political instability triggered by the arrest of NLD members is
expected to lead to fiercer lobbying by human rights activists in foreign
countries, especially the U.S., against investing in Myanmar.

Khet said he hopes such protests as the consumer - boycott that forced
PepsiCo Inc. to sell its Myanmar joint venture and some American
municipalities' recent decision against buying products from firms that
invest in Myanmar will spread.

He said the junta may be ready to arrest Suu Kyi at any time, as has
been reported, in line with a newly established law, which is virtually
aimed at prohibiting her customary weekend talk in front of her house.

Regarding some 250 NLD members arrested in May, Khet said the
NLD says 69 members, including such key figures as Suu Kyi's senior
aide, Win Htein, and Suu Kyi's cousin, Aye Win, are still being
detained.  The SLORC has announced that all but three NLD members
have been released.

"Their usual practice is very cunning because when they want to arrest
only 100, they arrest 1,000, and they release 900 afterward so the
international community thinks a lot of people are released," Khet said,
underscoring the need for the international community to look more
deeply into the junta's actions.


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