Suu Kyi appeals to Japan over right

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Suu Kyi appeals to Japan over rights, democracy 

Suu Kyi appeals to Japan over rights, democracy
12:01 a.m. Dec 31, 1999 Eastern
BANGKOK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Nobel prize-winning dissident Aung San Suu Kyi
appealed in a New Year message for Japan and other Asian countries to take a
strong stand for democracy and human rights in Myanmar and the rest of Asia.

Myanmar's 1991 peace laureate said in the videotaped message prepared for
release at a democracy rally in Hong Kong on Friday that the people of her
military-ruled country would start the new millennium stalked by ``want and
fear.''

``People wake up in the morning wondering which of their friends have been
taken into detention by the authorities. People wake up in the morning
wondering where their next meal is going to come from,'' she said.

``They wake up in the morning wondering what the future of their children
will be and worrying about it. Want and fear go together where there are no
human rights and where there is no justice.''

Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy won Myanmar's last election in
1990 but was never allowed to govern, said she would like greater support
from fellow Asians.

``We would especially like the Japanese people to take a strong stand in the
battle for democracy.

``Japan is one of the strongest economies in the world and it is a
democracy. It is certainly the richest Asian country. As (the) richest Asian
country and a democracy, Japan has a duty to try to promote human rights and
democracy in other parts of Asia.

``We hope that the year 2000 will see a blossoming of Japanese interest in
human rights and democracy.''

Suu Kyi said she sometimes thought Asians ``too hard on ourselves as human
beings.''

ASIA 'LACKS COMPASSION'

``I think there is a lack of compassion, which is a great pity and a great
surprise because Buddhism was born in Asia and Buddhism is the great
religion of compassion.''

Suu Kyi's message follows a series of high-level contacts between Japan and
Myanmar, which have raised concerns among pro-democracy activists that Tokyo
may be breaking ranks from international efforts to pressure the generals
towards democracy.

The contacts have included meetings between Japanese Prime Minister Keizo
Obuchi and Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe, and a visit to Myanmar
by Japan's top big business group, the Federation of Economic Organisations,
or Keidanren.

In December, Obuchi's senior foreign policy adviser, former Prime Minister
Ryutaro Hashimoto, visited Myanmar and met the generals but did not see Suu
Kyi.

Myanmar is subject to U.S. sanctions because of its human rights records,
while the European Union bars senior officials of the government from its
borders.

Japan froze aid to Myanmar after troops there killed thousands to crush a
pro-democracy uprising in 1988, but Japanese diplomats and analysts say
Tokyo is concerned about losing business and political influence in Myanmar
to China.

It resumed some humanitarian assistance after Suu Kyi was released from six
years house arrest in 1995 and in November Obuchi offered help should the
government take up economic structural reform seriously.

At the same time Obuchi said it would be easier to give aid if the country
was more democratic.
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