FBC Statement -August 8, 1997 (r)

[cd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

If Asean and its band of dictators continue down the doomed road that
leads them to support Slorc and their kind, then isn't it about time to
replace it as having outlived its usefullness. Secretary of State
Albright had a lot of truth to say behind her cheery song bashing ASEAN 
jig.  The EU needs to follow suit and pressured to play hard ball with
Slorc and that test of wills is now on as never before. The NCGUB feels
that Slorc is riding a tiger and will fall sooner than later. Let us
hope they are right. Meanwhile, the NLD calls again for genuine dialogue
and a serious consideration of what they have to say.With sanctions from
Canada, and the UK getting tough, France lags sadly behind in the
struggle to recognize human rights in Burma. But the new socialist
government under Prime Minister Jospin following their victory at the
polls last May, augers a possible realignment of government policy in
Rangoon, and an official distancing from the narco-dictatorship. It is
long-overdue.

Euro-Burmanet supports the following commerative statement on human
rights by the FREE BURMA COALITION in the Philippines. 


Metta,
Dawn Star
Euro-Burmanet (Paris)
Worldwide TOYAL Boycott
http://www-uvi.eunet.fr/asia/euro-burma/
iid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> From: iid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (iid)
> Date: 12 Aug 97 10:34:18 -0800
> 
> ASEAN: ASSERT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR BURMA
>       Commemorative statement on the 30th anniversary of the
>    founding of ASEAN and the 9th anniversary of the Burma uprising
> 
> Today, August 8, 1997, ASEAN is 30 years old. Since its first founding
> it professed to be  the center  of cooperation, peace and stability in
> the region. It's various declarations, accords and treaties emanate of
> ideals that clearly reflect human rights standards. It has vowed "to
> promote regional peace and stabilty through abiding respect for
> justice and the rule of law" (ASEAN (Bangkok) Declaration 1967, Treaty
> of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia 1976), "to achieve social
> justice, freedom, peace, social progress, prosperity, welfare,
> cultural development and raise living standards of peoples of member
> states" (Declaration of ASEAN Accord, 1976, ASEAN Bangkok Declaration
> 1967, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia 1976); and "to
> foster cooperation in furtherance  of the cause of peace, harmony and
> stability in the region" (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast
> Asia 1976).
> 
> But thirty years of ASEAN has meant thirty yeras of hunger and
> hardship for member states in Southeast Asia. A large population of
> this region have been subjected to the world's most appalling state
> abuses, ecologicak  ruin and economis deprivation. Less of an
> explanation therefore is needed to express how deeply disappointed we
> are  with ASEAN's record. Southeast Asian peoples remain one of the
> most abused and exploited members of the global community.
> 
> It is also today that we remeber Burma's uprising, and subsequent
> sacrifices of it's martyrs. The failure of ASEAN to facilitate
> satisfactory solutions to Southeast Asia's problems has been doubly
> compounded with its accepatnce  of an illegitimate  government itno
> it's ranks. Embracing Burma's military dictatorship into the fold of
> supposedly free and soverweign states, merely because economic
> opportunities therein, is a direct affront to the ideals of ASEAN, and
> an insult to the constituents of ASEAN member states.
> 
> Yet ASEAN took it upon itself to exercise responsibility over its new
> member, hoping that the acceptance may introduce reforms into the
> country. To do this genuinely, ASEAN needs to immediately facilitate
> the dialogue between the State Law and Order Restoration Council
> (SLORC), and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
> as well as National League for Democracy. It has also establish formal
> monitoring mechanisms into the country's political situation, and to
> provide immediate assistance to the victims of violence in the coutry.
> Adoption of the Alternative ASEAN policy of democratization, dialogue
> and de militarization must be implemented if ASEAN is to help at all.
> 
> We, freedom loving citizens and peace advoates of Southeast Asia
> therefore challenge the ASEAN to mobilize member states toward these
> ends. ASEAN has no choice but to hear the voice of Burma peoples.
> ASEAN, if it is to be faithful  to its avowed principles, has no
> option but to facilitate the realization of freedom and democracy in
> Burma-- now.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> FREE BURMA COALITION - Initiatives for Internationl Dialogue*
> Philippine Alliance for Human Rights Advocates* Amnesty
> International-Pilipinas* Alliance of Progressive Labor* Philippine
> Railway Workers Union-International Transport Workers Federation*
> ALTSEAN-BURMA* FORUM-ASIA* Thai Action Committee for Democracy in
> Burma* Campaign for Popular Democracy* Amnesty International-Thailand
> 
> Free Burma Coalition- Philippines c/o Initiatives for International
> Dialogue (IID)/ Unit D-15, 2nd Floor CASAL Building, #15 Anonas
> Street, Project 3, Quirino District, 1102, Quezon City