Support: Freedom of Expression!

[shwe88@xxxxxxxxxxx]

         SUPPORT: Freedom Of Expression
        
Support for the democracy movement in Burma and freedom of
expression are quite different issues.  One can be a supporter 
for the democracy movement while criticizing the particular groups.      

On 19August, 1997, we heard a program from Radio Free Asia 
(Burmese Service)about the execution in ABSDF.  We were quite amazed for 
the courage of the radio station and we were very glad that it did.  
Before then, we thought there was no one (except Amnesty International 
and some human rights groups) who pointed out any weakness of the 
oppositions on the border. Many students in Bangkok, who left the border 
for frustration of what had happened, expressed their concern that 
someone should have done it before for a departure to a good change. The 
ABSDF students who are now taking shelter in 
the various refugee camps were also glad about it and hoped
that it could make the leaders think for a change.   

However, the responses from the leaders, as far as we heard in 
Bangkok were quite astounding.  They were angry for that program.  Even 
a leader said they listened RFA because of its support for democracy but 
now he said he would not listen it any more because he thought RFA was 
not supporting democracy. Some leaders said it was 
not the time to do it.  we have been  curious how will they respond 
to the radio station since then.

If it is not the right time, when will it be the right time?  We
want them to think and compare that if SLORC says that it is not the 
right time for criticism, how can we change the society and how can 
we educate the people about what is happening and how can we let people 
learn from the events?  We all are hesitant to admit our disorienting 
dilemmas.  It doesn't. (A woman whom we know, Mi Mi Khaing who was from 
NLD accused of being a spy and tortured and interrogated by Dr. Naing 
Aung led ABSDF.  She was released lately). We wish Radio Free Asia 
interviewed her about her experience in ABSDF interrogation centre. (Ne 
Win Aung is also free and is living in Bangkok.He can also tell his 
experience in the interrogation centre).
  
It is quite irrational to say that someone is not supporting 
democracy movements for pointing out the weakness.  When we say like 
this, we should notice that we are behaving like BSPP or SLORC and we 
are copying their BAD EVIL BEHAVIOURS instead of removing them from our 
daily activities.  The events can devastate ourselves and for 
such reasons, many students feel insecure to make a
change within ourselves.  Therefore many students have abandoned the
border struggle.   We should be facing the reality and we should not be 
afraid of learning from the mistakes that we made.
        	
We hope that we should make every efforts to stop such awful events
and we should analyse ourselves for a better changes.  Internal changes 
are necessary among us and we will never be able to 
establish a peaceful and democratic country  if we don't  remove 
those habits ourselves.  We hope that Radio Free Asia will stand 
firm from its right direction.

With respect,
A Group of *8888 Pro-democracy Students

Down with Dictator! Down with SLORC! Down with Evil-revolutionaries!   
********************************************************************


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