MON NOT WORRIED BY U.S. SANCTIONS
(Kao Wao, August 15, 2003)

The United State’s sanction bill (Burma Freedom and Democracy Act) is welcomed by most of the public in Mon State, according to a local source from Thai/Burma border.

When they learned the news from the BBC, DVB and RFA radio stations, people
grew excited and hope for a change now, said Nai Tin, a businessman at Sangkhlaburi border town.

“The US economic sanctions will not affect the people in general. The grass- roots people welcome the law. Under the present rule of the Burmese military junta, economic assistance from the international community does not reach the civilian population, most live in remote areas of the country and are blocked off from any economic development,” said the General Secretary of Mon Unity League, an umbrella organization of the Mon people, during an interview with Kao Wao.

The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) receives aid for infrastructure development such as the building of roads, they use it mostly for expanding the military forces into the ethnic areas throughout the whole country, plus they force civilians to do the dirty work on these projects without payment, the people do not benefit in the slightest.

If the SPDC is unable to export rice, the junta will not force the farmers to pay or work for them. For many years, the people in Burma have lived on the edge and have the 4 basics: food, clothing, shelter and medicine. So most in Mon State are unaffected by the sanctions because we have the basics, he added.

However, another source from 3 Pagodas Pass (Thai/Burma border town) said
the U.S. law affected the trade in the region. Local traders are concerned with the money exchange market which has grown quiet these past days.

The Communist Party of Burma (CPB) opposes the American sanctions against
the Burmese military regime issued a statement on July 30.

“The American Government and Congress are not the World's Government and
World's Congress. They have no rights to do whatever they want. We oppose
any action in principle. The Americans make decision by themselves and interfere in other’s internal affairs without seeking consent from international communities”, said the CPB.

Nai Nyunt, a community leader and NLD member of Thanbyu Zayat in southern
Mon State said most people appreciate the U.S. law. Under the present regime the people have suffered enough and international sanction will not affect civilians. The people hate suppression and the sanctions may provide
unforeseen advantages for Mon state in the booming black market.

Under Ne Win’s BSPP government, Moulmein is known as the nexus city of the
Black Market (Hmaung Kho Myodaw) and many people in this region have become
rich in cross border trade he said.