(Kao Wao: September 29, 2003)

An exiled Mon MP has called on EU governments to put pressure on the Burmese military regime by imposing strong economic sanctions on the country and getting the UN Security Council's involved.

Nai Thaung Shein, an exiled MP based in the Netherlands, joined a demonstration with exiled activists from Germany, France and Netherlands in front of the EU Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium, and sent letters to European governments opposing the 'road map' of Burmese Prime Minster General Khin Nyunt.

"In reality, Rangoon's 'road map' is a tactic to avoid international pressure and the same old tune of holding on to state power by calling a national convention", said the leader of Mon National Democratic Front, who was forced to flee, after his colleagues in the MNDF were arrested by the military junta in 1998.

By ignoring the demand for the release of political prisoners and drawing up its own 'road map', the SPDC has demonstrated its lack of sincerity, the Mon MP said. If the junta was really willing to co-operate, it should provide a clear time frame and get all partners involved in the process, he added, but their 'road map' was only to gain international attention and to hold on to state power.

The Mon MP-elect for the Kawkareik constituency in Karen State sent his letters to EU governments in order to get their attention before an upcoming meeting of the EU parliament. He emphasized that the junta has never honoured its promises or the results of the election of 1990. Even though the SPDC junta claims that Burma's economy is developing in peace and stability, there are about 200,000 refugees at the Thai-Burma border alone. The deteriorating economy and inflation rates have driven many people to seek work in other countries.

Nai Thaung Shein claimed that one of the most serious violations is the organized land confiscation by the military junta in Mon State. Since 1995, about 10,000 acres of land have been confiscated by the Burmese Army.

The MNDF won five seats in the 1990 general election in Burma. Nai Thaung Shein fled from his home after the arrest of Mon leaders, Nai Ngwe Thein, Dr. Min Soe Linn and Dr. Min Kyi Win. They are still being held in Moulmein prison because of their political beliefs and their support for the CRPP.

Inside Burma, the Youth Wing of the National League for Democracy (NLD) has called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently intervene and help implement the results of the 1990 elections. A petition signed by 252 members of the NLD Youth Wing was sent to the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, via the UN office in Rangoon.