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re ABSDF no engagement line



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. «