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re ABSDF no engagement line
- Subject: re ABSDF no engagement line
- From: cd@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 10 Mar 1996 08:15:00
Free Burma readers, overworked and short for time, are kindly requested
to read closely this document from ABSDF referring to NGOs, UN operations
and foreign aid in Burma. The ABSDF message is clear.
except from ABSDF doucment on constructive engagement, March 9 1996
« foreign investment only supports SLORC, an illegitimate regime with a
horrible human rights record against its own people... »
« The arguments for NGOs and United Nation agencies involvement in Burma
are:
1. to relieve the evident suffering of the people and
2. to help build a civil society which will slowly bring about change.
The question remains, however, whether NGOs can accomplish these goals
without a change in the political situation in Burma occurring
first. Currently, NGO and U.N. involvement give SLORC additional
opportunities to divert funds for modernizing and expanding their
military
and thus increasing the militarization of the country. In 1993, for
example, as UNICEF stepped up its programs in Burma, SLORC cut the
healthand education budget significantly.
It should also be remembered that all aid flowing into Burma involves
political decision at the highest levels of SLORC. For example, Khin
Nyunt, First Secretary of SLORC, recently made himself chairman of a new
education and health committee which will oversee all aid programs.
Finally, NGO and U.N. involvement with SLORC has another, often
unintended effect. By cooperating with SLORC, NGOs and the U.N. provide
the regime with political legitimacy which makes efforts
to move toward democracy more difficult. «