APEC and Burma

October 24, 2003

Delegates at APEC meeting in Bangkok have been discussing international security and trade, and the people in Burma are closely following their progress as they are to discuss democratic matters of the country.

The people of Burma also agree with the US President, Mr. George W. Bush and his Secretary of State, Collin Powell for denouncing the SPDC, it is reported. Moreover, the Thai PM, Mr. Thaksin Shinwatra said that he is hoping Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be released soon and that Thailand and US will be co-operating for democratic transition in Burma.

Daw Nan Khin Htway Myint, the MP of Pa-An Township, Karen State gave her reaction as follows:

Daw Nan Khin Htway Myint : We are hoping for Daw Suu’s release but I don’t think they will release her because they will have to solve the Dipeyin problem if they do so. They will only release her when they feel that they are ready to solve Dipeyin problem…We are demanding the regime to solve Dipeyin incident and to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The people from outside are saying the same thing. We just don’t know when they are going to oblige. They don’t tend to listen whatever people say. They just do what they like. People might criticise them but there would be not much effects on them. We are not expecting much. The generals will just keeping on tricking people. They won’t change things out of good faith.

Burmese activists in Thailand also believe that the comments of the Thai PM are for show and in reality things will not change much for activists on the ground: DVB’s Maung Too reports:

Maung Too : Mr. Sunai, a Thai spokesman from Forum Asia based in Thailand said that it is hard to believe Thailand will have any credibility in promotion peace and democracy in Burma given the actions taken by Taksin administration…

Similarly, U Bo Thaung, one of the secretaries of the NCUB gave his reaction as follows:

U Bo Thaung : The army will head towards democracy only when Mr Taksin does what he says and not just talking about the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kuu Kyi. I can’t say how much they are going to do as they say after APEC. I am sure things will not change by just talking in ASEAN. They [ASEAN members] are just looking for their own profits.

U Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese political analyst gave his opinion as follows:

U Aung Naing Oo : Mr. Bush wants the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. ASEAN also wants her release. The US has done something for her release. The Thai PM has similar attitude but ASEAN has no policy on Burma like the US. But whatever Mr. Bush has said about Burma, I don’t think the US is going to work energetically for Burma. I think Mr. Bush said about it because he needed to say it. I don’t think he will put forward more policies on Burma.