Protest against Brig. Gen. Abel's v (r)

[enmasse_1@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Re: The Past, the Present and the Future
        Brigadier General David O. Abel
        Minister,
        Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development 
Council (SPDC)
       Union of Myanmar


Abel.  Are you feeling alright  now? 

I am amazed that  you finally came up with such  fine lines in your 
closing part of your speech which says:

> A Chinese Sage said that " if language is not used correctly, then 
what it said is not meant.  If what is said is not meant, then what 
ought to be done remains
undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will be corrupted; if 
morals and art are corrupted, justice will go astray and the people will 
stand
about in helpless confusion"
>
It appears to me that you are referring to some kinds of chain reactions 
that are about to surface. It appears that something that ought to be 
done has remained undone.   I really hope you meant what you said.

"Past" and  "Present" records show that  under RC/BSPP/SLORC/SPDC 
the country  was dipping deeper. There will be no "Future" at all for 
the SPDC to hold on to power unless much needed dialogue with the NLD 
including the ethnic groups takes place.

Minn Kyaw Minn
==============






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>Date: 08 Jun 1998 19:25:47
>Reply-To: Conference "reg.burma" <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>From: brelief@xxxxxxx
>Subject: Protest against Brig. Gen. Abel's visit to Japan and his 
speech
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>On June 4th, more than 60 pro-democracy activists, including a number 
of
>Vietnamese showing solidarity and support for the Burmese cause, 
gathered=
> at
>the Okura Hotel to protest David Abel's visit to Tokyo. =20
>
>Here is a statement from the Joint Action Committee, followed by the 
text=
> of
>Abel's speech, delivered at the International Conference on "The Future 
o=
>f
>Asia.".
>
>
>STATEMENT REGARDING A PROTEST AGAINST BURMESE MINISTER
>
>GENERAL DAVID ABEL'S VISIT TO JAPAN
>
>JUNE 4, 1998
>
>We , the undersigned organizations wish to make the following statement
>regarding a peaceful protest against the visit of Burmese General David
>Abel, a minister of SPDC's office (The ruling Burmese military regime 
The
>State Peace and Development Council, SPDC) calling for restoring of
>democracy and human rights in Burma.
>
>We stage a protest rally in Tokyo, on June 4, against Burmese General 
Dav=
>id
>Abel's visit to Japan to attend to the ASEAN meeting on the theme of 
"ASI=
>A
>FUTURE".  What we want is to show solidarity with the other Asia 
countrie=
>s
>concerning the matter of Asia future.
>
>Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace 
laurea=
>te
>said," The case for Burma is not just for one country.  It is the case 
fo=
>r
>all those who are suffering under authoritarian regimes.  The 
sufferings =
>of
>our people are the sufferings of all those whose human dignity is not
>protected by the law. I hope that in arguing the case for Burma, I 
shall =
>be
>arguing the case for all peoples in the world who are suffering from 
the
>violation of human rights".
>
>Today's rally is meaningful and part of the movement for democracy and 
hu=
>man
>rights in Burma .We make three demands:
>
>(1) that ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) enter into a
>political dialogue with the National League for Democracy NLD, led by 
Daw
>Aung San Suu Kyi to solve the prevailing problems in Burma.
>
>(2) that the parliament must be convened as a first step to implement 
the
>results of the May 1990 general elections .
>
>(3) that all political prisoners must be released immediately and
>unconditionally.
>
>
>JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE
>
>National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) Japan Branch=20
>Tel/Fax: +81 3-5974-1981
>
>Burmese Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)=20
>Tel/Fax: +81 3-3916-4996
>
>Students' Organization for Liberation of Burma (Japan)=20
>Tel/Fax: +81 3-5396-1242
>
>  =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D 
=3D=
> =3D =3D=20
>
>The Past, the Present and the Future
>
>Brigadier General David O. Abel
>Minister,
>Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council 
(SPDC)
>Union of Myanmar
>
>International Conference on "The Future of Asia"
>Tokyo=824th - 5th June 1998.
>
>Statement by H. E. Brig -Gen. David O. Abel
>
>"Ladies and Gentlemen, just take a few moments and think. We are going 
to=
> be
>responsible for the nest Millennium and we don't want to be bugs."
>
>It is indeed a great honour for me to be given the opportunity to 
attend
>this important International Conference "The Future of Asia "sponsored 
by
>Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc (NIKKEI). May I first of all express my 
sincere
>thanks to the President Mr. Tsuruta and his Executive Staff and all 
those
>involved in organizing this 4th Conference.
>
>in 1996, when NIKKEI organized and sponsored the 2nd Conference on "The
>Future of Asia "I made a presentation on behalf of the Union of Myanmar
>together with other eminent persons from the Asia / Pacific Region.
>Opportunities and challenges were reviewed from various stand -points. 
On
>the whole the East Asia and South East Asian region was projected as an
>engine of economic growth and stability and to even become the worlds 
mos=
>t
>powerful economic region in the next ten to fifteen years. The region
>sustained substantial economic growth and stability. Today, those very
>foundations are being challenged casting doubts as to the future both 
in =
>the
>geo-political and socio-economic context.  Hence from Myanmar's 
perspecti=
>ve
>I will present this morning "The Future of Asia=96Myanmar's 
Perspective: =
>the
>Past, the Present and the Future"
>
>The Past.=20
>As you all very well know all the nations of Asia were Sovereign 
Kingdoms
>ruled by Sovereign Rulers or Sub Kingdoms ruled by Sovereign Rulers or 
su=
>b
>Kingdoms ruled by War lords. Geo-political and Socio-economic 
considerati=
>ons
>were confined to the region where great small or large lived in dignity 
a=
>s
>being their own Masters and Lords. Occasionally there were 
intra-country
>wars or incursions but being of low intensity it could be contained 
withi=
>n
>its boundaries. Likewise economic engines also were confined to 
boundarie=
>s.
>Starting in the late 15th century the Asian Region underwent a spate of
>Colonization by the West. Most of Asia was colonized by Spain, 
Portugal,
>France, the Netherlands and England mainly due to economic 
considerations.
>Exploitation of resources for the growing industries of the West. Later 
G=
>eo-
>political considerations compounded the issue which pushed the world to
>engage itself in regional conflict leading to World War I and II .
>Colonization brought with it political awareness and as the World
>industrialized, where resources including labour was exploited. 
Political
>Philosophies and Struggles for Independence were born. Through this 
proce=
>ss
>colonized nations started political movements for their freedom and
>independence. The struggle was enhanced by the 1930, industrial 
Recession=
> or
>the Great Depression, and after the Second World War, nations won the
>freedom to change entirely the Worlds Geo-political and Socio-Economic 
sy=
>stems.=20
>       =20
>In the study of Myanmar, during that period we may very distinctively 
see
>--that Colonialism had exploited every possible resource which made the
>masters wealthier and the vanquished poorer. National Economic Growth 
and
>market development was completely suppressed while human resource
>development including Health and Education was badly neglected. The 
digni=
>ty
>of the Nation its people and rights was violated in a ---most inhuman
>manner, firing the flame for freedom. This was the case in most of the
>colonized nations and when they won their freedom they were either left
>empty handed or still dependant on their colonial masters. The desire 
to =
>be
>truly independent and develop a sound Economy for the nation gave rise 
to
>nationalism and a strong will to cooperate among themselves. Modern 
Post
>Keynesian political Economy describes this situation as follows" The 
Era
>since World War II has witnessed a world growth in output and living
>standards unmatched in recorded History but also increasingly marred by
>"Stagflation"), A Situation which we face today.
>
>
>The Present.=20
>The world economy is experiencing perhaps the most serious financial 
cris=
>is
>since the early 1970's. Its impact is much more global that what we 
have
>witnessed in the past 20-30 years.
>
>Focusing closely on the "ASEAN Monetary crisis" the immediately 
affected
>nations would surely have to rethink its Economic philosophy. Since 
this
>crisis has also had an impact in the global Economy it should also 
strike=
> a
>note of concern to all communities of the world.
>
>The crisis has given ground for research in depth and many economist,
>financial experts, research institutions have come up with piles of
>documentation and recommendations. Of course they will be of help and 
hel=
>p
>is indeed needed! But we will have to help ourselves too! Each effected
>nation with its own backdrop will have to tailor their requirements so 
th=
>at
>as a whole the man on the street will not be effected for long periods. 
T=
>he
>basic cause of this crisis stems from four major factors-
>
>1.. Basic loss of market competitiveness
>        2.. Weak Legal Structures for Fiscal and Monetary 
Administration.
>        3.. Undiscipline expansion and manipulation of domestic 
financial
>markets.
>        4.. Linked contagious effects.
>
>        In Myanmar's case study we may clearly see that crisis has had 
a
>partial impact an its monetary system. South East Asia account for 50% 
of
>FDI and 46% of foreign trade with Myanmar. FKI in 1996/97 Financial 
year
>accounted for United States Dollars 1663.10 million. In the Financial 
yea=
>r
>1997/98, i.e. one year later and after the Financial crisis started, 
tota=
>l
>FDI mounted to 771.19 million united States Dollars a drop of 53.6%. 
Fore=
>ign
>trade conducted performed according to plan. Since the major portion of 
F=
>DI
>in Myanmar is based on the exploitation of its natural resources it is
>projected that the FKI base in Myanmar will continue as planned and 
also =
>in
>gaining the Export Sector and the Manufacturing sectors. In the Trading
>Sector since trade is mainly In. Agriculture, Marine, Processed timber 
an=
>d
>the export of Oil and Gas, there will be a strong tendency of growth 
In. =
>all
>of these sectors.
>
>As Myanmar is about to form a capital market, the immediate absence of 
th=
>e
>market is one of the causes which counteracted speculation. Another
>established reason is that at the present moment Myanmars currency the
>"Kyat" is non =96 convertible. The duel rate situation gave some ground 
f=
>or
>small local speculators but fizzled out since an established market did 
n=
>ot
>exist.
>
>Returning to the Regional and global Situation I think that most of us 
wo=
>uld
>agree that the present Financial crises In. Asia has not yet stabilized
>there-by requiring very close monitoring.
>
>a.. Since most of the countries In. Asia look upon Japan for Sympathy 
and
>Support, and since japan feels that her Economy is also having and down
>trend tendency support structures on monetary Mechanism should be 
formula=
>ted
>by Cental Banks of the region to find an equilibrium.
>
>a.. The decision by the people's Republic of china not to devalue its
>currency (Though Tempting) strengthens
>
>b.. The International Monetary Institutions should remodel its 
programmes=
> to
>be more flexible to the need of each recipient.
>
>a.. Uncertainty as to what will further happen stems from the base as 
to
>whether the full and complete assessment of debt has been made or will 
th=
>ere
>be some more.
>
>b.. The flexible response of the G-7 In. relation to det management.
>
>c.. Cooperation within the region itself to stabilize and manage the 
cris=
>is
>causing least effect to poor and low income groups.
>
>d.. County-wise some safeguard measures have been initially put into 
moti=
>on
>to safeguard the flight of Foreign Capital. In. this regard, 
intervention=
>s,
>prohibitions should not be sustained over a long period.
>
>As long as uncertainty lingers, it merely worsens the economic 
shock.=20
>As a whole it is generally felt that with a period of two to three 
years =
>the
>effect could be tided over and rebound to a new Economic Era.
>
>The Future.=20
>
>As Winston Churchill said "If we open a quarrel between the past and 
the
>present we shall find we have lost the future" This wise statement 
points=
> to
>us that it is the "future"that means so much to us. The future is what 
we
>make it. The world has faced many disasters, wars, epidemics, Economic
>recessions, and most of all uncertainty. The human being is created 
such,
>that we could face almost anything and rebound to creation and success. 
A=
>sia
>will settle its score and return to the position to where it rightly
>belongs. Where almost 2/3 of the worlds human Race lives it is of 
paramou=
>nt
>importance that peace and development prevails.
>
>In. the sense of that rational Myanmar has integrated itself into not 
onl=
>y
>the ASEAN grouping, but also with all its neighbors near and far. We 
beli=
>eve
>that the global community well has to practice codes of principles 
which =
>we
>ourselves have agreed upon.
>
>a.. The united nations charter, the numerous conventions, Agreements,
>Institutional Charters etc. In. which we can find solutions to all of 
our
>problems.
>
>a.. To protect exploitation of the weaker by the stronger.
>
>b.. To regulate issues that may endanger world peace and to abide by 
code=
>s
>and conducts decided upon.
>
>c.. To refrain from situation on Acts that threaten the principles of
>Globalization.
>
>d.. To agree-upon and create mechanism so that such crises may not 
occur.
>
>e.. And to agree to consider each and every situation according to 
merit =
>of
>each situation.
>
>Myanmar aspires to the Asian vision 2020 and will endeavor to do its 
utmo=
>st
>best In. realization of that Vision.
>
>At the juncture of the end of the 20th Century I feel that we should 
take
>stock of the Triumphs and challenges the global community has faced 
durin=
>g
>that Century. There has been tremendous achievement In. Technology i.e. 
I=
>n.
>Science, Medicine, Telecommunication, space Technology etc, nave it and 
y=
>ou
>can see it. During that same period we have seen the creation and the 
use=
> of
>nuclear weapons, its proliferation even as this Century comes to a 
close.=
> We
>are witnessing a spate of incurable diseases like HIV aids; we have not
>found a cure to cancer. The environment of the Global is threatened by
>global warming, depletion of the Ozone layer, the Al NINO effect a 
weathe=
>r
>patterns, monetary instability. We will now have to ask our very 
selves.
>what are we taking into the next millennium? What should we resolve 
right
>now so that all the peoples of the world may have a better life, a 
secure
>life, and a life something worth while to live for.
>
>Ladies and Gentlemen, just take a few moments and think. We are going 
to =
>be
>responsible for the nest Millennium and we don't want to be bugs.
>
>I would like to once again thank NIKKEI SHINBUN for sponsoring this 
semin=
>ar
>and also all the distinguished participants present here today. A 
Chinese
>Sage said that " if language is not used correctly, then what it said 
is =
>not
>meant, if what is said is not meant. Then what ought to be done remains
>undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will be corrupted; if 
mora=
>ls
>and art are corrupted, justice will go astray and the people will stand
>about in helpless confusion"
>
>Thank you.=20
>
>http://www2.gol.com/users/brelief/Index.htm
>
>


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