The Burma Campaign UK today expressed deep concern about comments made yesterday by UN Under-Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari, following his recent visit to Burma.
“This is not a new chapter or new page as Gambari claims, it is the same old story,” said Yvette Mahon, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “The regime dusted off and delivered the same speech about their commitment to change that they give every new UN envoy. There is nothing new here, just more empty promises. I can’t believe the UN is falling for it again.”
The Burma Campaign UK also warned that even if Aung San Suu Kyi is released on Saturday this should not be interpreted as a sign on change on the part of the regime. “Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, although very welcome, would simply take us back to where we were ten years ago”, said Yvette Mahon. “The regime uses Aung San Suu Kyi as a bargaining chip, releasing her whenever international pressure grows. Right now the regime is very worried about potential action by the UN Security Council. If they release Aung San Suu Kyi, it will be a tactic to try to head off UN action.”
Based on Gambari’s comments that: “we will have to give it time of course to see where things are headed” it seems the regime has already partway succeeded in once again delaying international action. Burma’s dictator, Than Shwe, is a specialist in psychological warfare, and has been very successful in using these skills to dupe the international community and avoid action by the United Nations.
As the generals smiled and posed for pictures with Gambari over the weekend, their soldiers continued their military offensive against Karen civilians, with more than 16,000 people now forced to flee their homes. Intimidation of NLD members continues, and more than 1,100 political prisoners languish in jail, many regularly tortured. Despite 15 years of promises of change, the regime in Burma has not made a single democratic reform. The United Nations has passed more than 27 resolutions on Burma, all of which the regime has ignored.
Gambari did not secure a single concrete reform on his visit. If the regime is genuine about change, it could release all political prisoners today. It could allow the NLD to re-open its offices, and it could stop slaughtering unarmed civilians.
“This regime has fooled the international community too many times in the past,” said Yvette Mahon. “It has proved that it has no interest in genuine negotiations, and so must be forced to reform. The UN Security Council must pass a binding resolution requiring the restoration of democracy in Burma.”
For more information contact Mark Farmaner, Media & Campaigns Manager, on 020 7324 4713