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REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS (1/7/95)
/* Written 1 July 4:00pm by DRUNOO@xxxxxxxxxxxx(DR U NE OO) in igc:reg.burma */
/* ---------------------" Report on Communications "------------------- */
LETTER TO SENATOR GARETH EVANS
------------------------------
June 27, 1995.
Senator the Hon. Gareth Evans
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Senator,
I enclosed with this letters to the U.S. Congressman, Bill Richardson,
regarding his recent visit to Burma for ceasefire, peace settlements and
the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I particularly wish the Senator to
give attention to the setting up of a Contact Group for Burma.
Current climate suggests there might have been difficulties to include some
European countries and Britain in the contact group. However, Australia,
United States, Japan and Thailand should be considered as the founders of
such a contact group and extend its contact list to other countries at
later times. I have particularly advocated the NGO community in Australia
to become the participants of such contact group. I am also writing to the
Canadian Government to consider to join to the contact group. I am most
grateful for you to make such initiative, which such contact group will be
most vital for future programmes for Burmese democracy.
Finally, I should like to thank the Government of Australia as well as the
Opposition and the Senators for your kind attention to Burma matters. I am
very encouraged by all of your kind supports in this work.
Yours respectfully and sincerely
(U NE OO)
cc: Hon. Alexander Downer, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Parliament
House, Canberra ACT 2600.
*******
A LETTER FROM THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
---------------------------------------------------
[The following letter tell us that the Amnesty International do not take a
stand on the issues of embergos - even the arms embargo. Furthermore, the
strict adherence to its mandate - at regional and national level - by all
members have been remarkable.
The Amnesty's non-political/non-partisan stand is quite well know to us.
>From a Burmese point of view, however, we are in such a desperate situation
that we have to ask for help from every men and women, and every
organization. Countries and population that are isolated from
international community, such as Burma or Burmese outside their own country,
the simple awareness of human rights situation in that country amounts to a
form of solidarity. People who have awareness about human rights in here are,
quite naturally, Amnesty members. Not that these men and women, who do have
conscience on human rights, fails to help when they've been called upon
individually. In this context, I should say I am not at all disappointed.
-- U Ne Oo]
Ref.: ASA/aw
Dr U Ne Oo
48/2 Ayliffes road
St Marys SA 5042
Australia
20 June 1995
Dear U Ne Oo
Thank you very much for your recent letter. Amnesty International
is a worldwide voluntary movement that works to prevent some of the gravest
violations by governments of people's fundamental human rights. It works
within the framework of a specific and relatively narrow mandate which has
been set by its worldwide membership. We are also a non partisan
organization and therefore we cannot take part in your petition as it calls
for an international arms embargo on Myanmar. I am sorry that we could not
be of any assistance.
Yours sincerely,
singed. Kelly Dowling
Asia-Pacific Regional Program
*********
LETTER FROM AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE
--------------------------------------------------------------
22 May 1995
Dear Dr U Ne Oo
Thank you for your letter of 18 April regarding peace mediation between the
Myanmar Government and ethic minorities. Senator Evans has asked me to
reply on his behalf.
Your views on this subject and recent developments in Myanmar have been
noted. The Australian Government remains committed to the pursuit of
greater respect for human rights and the development of more democratic
systems of government in Myanmar. We will continue to use all available
avenues, including the UN, to promote positive change.
Yours sincerely
signed. David Pearce
Director
Philippine, Burma, Thailand Section
**********
LETTER FROM HON. ALEXANDER DOWNER
---------------------------------
ALEXANDER DOWNER, M.P.
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MAYO
76 Mt Barker Rd, Stirling, S.A. 5152
30 May 1995
Dear Dr U Ne Oo
I am writing in response to your recent letters regarding human rights
abuses in Burma.
The current situation in Burma is of extreme concern to the Coalition. The
Coalition is monitoring the crisis closely, and is doing all it can to
ensure the pro-democracy movement enjoys international support. Similarly,
the Coalition will continue to raise conceerns with the Australian
Government regarding peace mediation.
The work that you yourself are putting into ensuring a free democratic
society eventuates in Burma is of great importance. We all support your
efforts in this cause.
The Coalition's position on Burma is that we deplore the maltreatment of
Burmese citizens, strongly support the return of the d3mocratically elected
Governemnt and will continue to raise the human rights situation within the
international community.
We have made it quite clear that resumption of Government to Government aid
is dependent upon significant internal reform.
We are also examining other means by which to pressure the military
Government to lighten its rule and cede power to the democratically elected
Government.
Thank you for your communications. Please do not hesitate to contact me
with any furure concerns.
Yours sincerely
signed. Alexander Downer
************
LETTERS TO & FROM HON. CHRIS SCHACHT, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LABOUR SENATOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------
April 24, 1995
Senator the Hon. Chris Schacht
Minister for Small Business, Customs and Construction
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Senator Schacht:
I am a Burmese national presently residing in Australia. I have been in
Adelaide for 7 years as student scholar and - now a refugee. I have the
knowledge that you visited Burma in late 1988 and issued numbers of Burma
Reports in the following year. I thank you for your efforts that have been
made to raise awareness about Burma in Australia. I was one of the audience
when you gave speech about Burma at the Flinders University in 1989, at the
time I was a student.
Nowadays, I myself becoming openly involved in the movement for democracy
in Burma. As you know, Adelaide has only very few Burmese. However, I am
able to work as an independent human rights campaigner for Burma with the
help of good Australians who have conscience on human rights. I must also
say that a good understanding about Burma, especially in Foreign policy
circle, has been built-up in comparison to the periods of 1988-89 - the
time you have started that work.
I am writing to you for your help in regards to peace mediation of Burmese
army and ethnic minority rebels in Burma. For your information, I enclosed
my letters to the Prime Minister of Thailand and Senator Evans. I wish you
to help raise the issue in Parliament and to give support to the proposal.
Finally, I should like to thank you for your attention to Burma matters.
Your continuing interest in Burma and our human rights movements are most
appreciated by Burmese people.
Yours sincerely
(U NE OO)
LETTER IN REPLY
---------------
PARLIEMANT OF AUSTRALIA-THE SENATE
OFFICE OF SENATOR CHRIS SCHACHT
59 Main North Road
Medindie Gardens
S.A. 5081
16 June 1995
Dear Dr Oo
Thank you for your facsimile letter dated 24 April 1995 raising concerns
about human rights issues in Burma. Please accept my apology for the delay
in my response.
Due to my portfolio responsibilities, I am now unable to play the same
active role in foreign affairs issues which I have previously, however, I
can assure you that I still retain a personal interest in Burma.
I also appreciated receiving copies of the letters you recently sent to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator The Hon Gareth Evans and the Prime
Minister of Thailand, Mr Chaun Leekpai.
I will forward a copy of your letter addressed to me together with the
enclosures, to Senator Evnas, for his consideration.
I will contact you again as soon as I receive a response from him.
Yours sincerely
CHRIS SCHACHT
Labor Senator for South Australia
/* Endreport */