UN and US cannot bring changes in Burma: NCGUB at UN

Mon 04 Aug 2008, Joi Htaw
The United Nations and the United States cannot bring in changes in Burma, even though Burmese people keep hoping, according to Dr.Thaung Htun, representative for UN affairs of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).

The pre-commemoration of 8888 was held by Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma and Southeast Asian studies Faculty of Liberal Art, Thammasat University yesterday.

Dr. Thaung Htun added that the Burmese people need to build up grassroot societies and capacities both in the country and migrant workers communities in Thailand.

"We have been making mistakes for 20 years. The military rulers continue to oppress, so we must start from the basics and from the beginning if it is necessary," he added.

To bring changes in Burma helps Burmese migrant workers educate themselves and work for solidarity among the communities. And explaining to the Thai people about the reasons why people from Burma come and work in Thailand. Many Thais do not know exactly what the causes are, explained by Htun.

"That is one way of doing politics," stated Dr. Thaung Htun.

Referring to 20 years of mistake, Dr. Thaung Htun explained that they had thought that after August 8th, 1988 there would be another people's uprising.

Powerful countries and the international community should help to resolve the political situation in Burma.

Though, there was no people's movement and Burma has become a target of natural resources for neighbouring countries to develop and industrialize these countries have little concern about Burmese people's suffering.

Meanwhile, the military regime has begun restricting gathering of people.

Pornpimon Trichote, an expert on Burma and senior researcher at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University said in her speech that the military do not let people meet and share their knowledge. So there is little opportunity for citizens to involve themselves in politics and fight the government.

At the seminar, Dr Thaung Htun, NCGUB at UN, Nang Hseng Noung, Presidium of Women's League of Burma, Aung Thu Nyein, Burmese scholar and Dr. Pornpimon Trichote, Burma expert from Chulalongkorn University participated and made presentations on Burma. About 94 people including westerners also attended.

The Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma will demonstrate in front of the Chinese embassy and Burmese embassy on August 8, to commemorate the democracy uprising in Burma on August 8, 1988.