The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) welcomes
the decision taken by the European Union at its recent General Affairs and
External Relations Council meeting to take stronger action against the
Burmese military junta for its brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators
while at the same time helping the needy and refugee populations of Burma
through direct humanitarian aid.
The significant decision by the European Union comes at a time when the
Burmese military junta is continuing to round up not only the people who
participated in the peaceful protests but also taking advantage of the
situation to arrest its political opponents like members of the National
League for Democracy (NLD). Since the protests, many demonstrators and NLD
members have been sentenced to long prison terms without any due legal
process.
On the political front, even though the Burmese generals have appointed a
“liaison officer” for talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, they have vowed not
to release her until the constitution in the process of being drafted that
would legitimize and perpetuate military rule is completed.
Prime Minister Dr Sein Win said, “Since the generals do not intend to
discuss the key issues concerning the future of the nation, it is evident
that the appointment of the liaison officer is just a ploy by the generals
to evade international pressure.”
In this regard, the NCGUB welcomes EU’s resolution that “The EU supports
steps towards … an inclusive process leading to democracy, full respect
for human rights and the rule of law” and calls on the international
community to act decisively now in order to stop the generals from
installing a military dictatorship in Burma.
The European Union must also enforce its resolutions immediately and
impose an investment and import ban on timber, metals, and gems. It
should also proceed a step further with a threat to impose investment ban
in the energy sector, which solely benefits the regime, to send a clear
message to the Burmese generals that they must end their ambitious scheme
and cooperate with the United Nations in finding a solution to Burma’s
problems together with the political parties and ethnic nationalities.
The NCGUB, together with the people of Burma, look forward to the UN
Special Adviser, Mr Gambari, convincing the generals into joining a
UN-mediated settlement and also expect the international community to use
all its means to ensure that the United Nations succeeds in its endeavors
to bring a political resolution to Burma’s problems.