April 2003 – CTY.

This account is by no means a complete and comprehensive description of active operational bodies and organizations that exist within the democratic movement, in the “outside” and international context. It however provides, or hopes to provide, a very general thumbnail sketch (or a bird-eye's view) of ongoing activities and operational bodies/units that are engaged in the struggle to restore democracy in Burma. The picture is simplified for greater clarity, to enable those interested or committed to the struggle to help them get a rough idea view of the big operational picture: who is doing what, where and how, and what is being accomplished (by whom, how, etc.) or otherwise. Besides, it is both useful and helpful to have a rough big picture (or roadmap) of what is being done by actors and organizations to advance the goals inspired to by the people of Burma.

TWO:
Below, is a description the organizations within the movement which, by the way, is global in scope. It provides a glimpse of what these are doing and what their spheres of activities are:

**[1]
Activists and support groups, ie., the "Act locally, Think Globally" operations and groups. This operation is rigorous and going strong. Effective. The most well known and global in effect (or impact) is the FBC. There are also other similar organizations – for example, the ALTSEAN, and various action groups in many countries.

**[2]
Human Rights Advocates and Lobby groups. Going strong. Regular and effective actions. The most active and cohesive, best organized, in this field are the women action/activist groups (Swan, WLB, and other ethnic-based women organizations).
One important unit in the H-Rights sphere is the HRDU (HR Documentation Unit) which has done much good work to mobilize public awareness of the human rights abuse of the regime and concern on the part of governments and international bodies and actors.

**[3]
Inside Activities, PD (political Defiance) operations. They are clandestine and thus sensitive. Political parties -- NLD/LA and the DPNS, for example -- participate in internal and PD operations.

**[4]
NCGUB (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma). It undertakes high-level strategic and lobby trips, and these have been quite constructive for the movement, and have powerful impact. It maintains the arms-length stance of the international community/governments vis-a-vis the Spdc. The NCG also plays a vital role in garnering support for the movement as a whole, both in terms of political and other support (for eg., resource).
The NCGUB's PMOs (Prime Minister Offices) are also involved in in-country lobbying actions -- specifically, in Thailand (covering SEAsia as well), and India (covering South Asia as well).

**[5]
In-country lobby groups. High level lobbying of legislatures and government circles. This operation is strong and vigorous in some capitals, but very weak in others, and non-existent in many.

**[6]
MPU (Members of Parliament Union), has been quite active at the international level. It targets legislators in democratic or non-authoritarian polities and has established links with regional and international associations of parliamentarians.

**[7]
NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma) and components. It is a very political, wide front of diverse formal bodies and organizations. In fact, it is a political umbrella of fronts whose membership overlaps, the result of evolving situation and. It is howevernot an all-inclusive umbrella because some major resistance groups are not members, such as the Shan State Army/South, the Karenni forces and "government", and the SDU, but are allies.
Some (if not many) of its members have foreign affairs components, and even autonomous foreign operations -- for example, the ABSDF, the NDF, and perhaps others as well, plus the NCUB itself.
Further, the NCUB is, in principle (or conceptually), responsible for most offensive and defensive actions inside the country, including PD operations.

**[8]
NRP (National Reconciliation Program). It is focused on national reconciliation, as the name suggests, and facilitates preparations for dialogue, ie., to enhance understandings of conflict, conflict resolution, negotiation-related problems, plus issues and strategy -- through capacity-building and intra-movement consultations. It is operational only in the facilitating sense.
The NRP operates well as a facilitating body, and one of its main function has been rolling smoothly along -- namely, rationalizing and clarifying the funding situation re the needs of organizations and groups on the ground (within the movement) and needs dictated by the dialogue and national reconciliation strategy . The NRP works closely with all organizations and leaders within the movement.
NDD, POCEP are research and study units, within the program framework of funders/donors who are assisting the NRP, and with the national reconciliation process (or preparations thereof). These bodies are involved in research and Public Empowering projects (which has yet to get really off the ground).
Bodies related to constitutional matters -- the federal constitution and constitutions of the constituent states of the future Union of Burma -- they exist within the NRP facilitation circle. These are the state constitution study and drafting committees (and commissions) involved in promoting consultation on constitutional options, the study of constitutions, state and local (and federal) governments, and also, in promoting constitutions drafting exercises (esp. states and local governments)

**[9]
ENSCC (Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee). This is an important body. It is not a new political front. Rather, it a high-level working body (or team) charged with preparing and assisting the ethnic nationalities (inside and outside) for national reconciliation, dialogue, nation-building (national unity) and constitutional reform or adjustments. It is included within the program framework of funders and donors supporting the NRP.

**[10]
The TAN (Technical Assistance Network). This is a body composed of interested academics, professionals, and technicial experts. It is currently focused on exploring future policy models and options such as economic reconstruction and related issues, civil-military relation, and electoral system. One of its goal is to induce thinking on future options by experts and scholars, and preparations thereof.

**[11]
ADDB (Associates for the Development of Democratic Burma), an independent international-based facilitating body. It has been instrumental in the formation of the NCGUB as a functioning organization and an international presence in the early 1990s, in raising international awareness and galvanizing governments and policy-makers to focus on the situation and needs of the democratic opposition and the situation in Burma. It has recently been revived to maintain and enhance the cohesion and performance capability of the leaders and organizations within the movement.

**[12]
NHEC (National Health and Education Council). This is a body that provides hands-on service in health and educational matters for refugees and displaced persons (on the border and internally). It works closely with the health and education departments or committees of various political organizations along Burma's borders with Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. It also provides training for those working in the educational and health-related fields.

THREE:
The above description of the working of the movement and elements within it does not however mean that things are running smoothly and perfectly. There are always problems and flaws. Adjustments and improvements are always needed.

To be noted however, from personal observation and being involved on a day-to-day basis with the movement, is that there is a pattern, one that follows the principle: “Common Goal, Diverse Action” – which is a positive trend, and points to the importance of team work, the team spirit, and collegial relation.

Best, CTY