[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

17/11/98:LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTO



/* Written Mon 16 Feb 11:00am 1998 by drunoo@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* ---------" 17/11/97:Letter to President Clinton "-------- */

LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON (17/11/97)
**************************************
Dr U Ne Oo
18 Shannon Place
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia.

November 17, 1997.

President William Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20500
United States of America

Dear Mr President:

re: United Nations protection of Burma's refugees in Thailand
-------------------------------------------------------------
I am writing to Mr President for your helps in regards to United
Nations protection for Burma's ethnic minority refugees in
Thailand. I urge Mr President to encourage the Prime Minister of
Thailand, Mr Chuan Leekpai, and the Royal Thai Government to
make appropriate measures in regards to protection of our
refugees. I am aware that, because of recent changes in Royal
Thai Government, there are much less possibility of our refugees
in Thailand being forcibly repatriated. However, it is
strategically important for our refugees in Thailand to have the
protection of United Nations. Such move will provide the
necessary legal framework to the UNHCR in solving refugee and
human rights problems in Burma.

I also like to draw Mr President's attention to the current
international political environment in connection with the
political and human rights struggles in Burma. Our efforts to
solve Burma's refugee problem, in the post-ColdWar world's
political context, can be seen as the oppressed people's
movement for democratic and political freedom. It is noticeable
that there are similar refugee problems in Asia, such as in
Tibet and in East Timor. The governments concerned in these
refugee situations, particularly from the refugee receiving
countries (for example Thailand), have anxiety about United
Nations and international community becoming involved. The
United States, as the world's leader in post-ColdWar period,
must therefore take a storng supportive role at the United
Nations in solving these problems. I believe the United Nations
and United States can tackle these problems, one at a time and
over a longer period, in order to promote peace and justice in
this region.

Along with the people of Burma, many communities within Asian
region appears to be leaning towards more democratic systems.
The United States, at this juncture, has a special role to play
in encouraging these democratic changes in Asian societies. It
is understandable that the United States, although being the
world's military power, cannot possibly intervene in every
conflict that may arise in the region. Nevertheless, the UNited
States by herself and also in co-ordination with United Nations,
can make good political influence in solving regional problems.
It is therefore an appropriate time to enhance the legitimacy of
the role of United Nations and to assert the leadership role of
UNited States in solving these disputes.

Generally, there have been conflicts between business interests
and promoting human rights in Burma. However, in the particular
case of the operation of oil companies (i.e. the Unocal and
TOTAL) in Burma, there have been ways for businesses to
positively contribute democratization process in Burma. Other
types of businesses should be more patient and more cautious
about working in Burma.

Finally, there have been continuing concerns about drug-money
laundering by Burmese military authorities. To tackle this
problem, however, there are some technical difficulties.
Firstly, there is a lack of accurate information about how
financial transactions are being made. Secondly, the United
Nations system doesn't seem to have proper mechanism to deal
with the drug-money laundering problem. The United States
Agencies, nevertheless, seems to have considerable intelligence
apparatus as well as diplomatic connections to counter this
problem. I wish the United States authorities consider to
promote a special task-force to deal with possible drug-money
laundering by the Burmese military.

In closing, I thank Mr President for your kind attention to
these matters. The continuing supports by United States
Government and Congress and especially by Mr President to our
struggle for democracy in Burma are greatly appreciated by the
Burmese people.

Yours respectfully and sincerely
Sd. U Ne Oo.

/* Endreport */