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No Justice in Faking Political Asyl (r)



Dear Ko Myo Thant:

Thanks for your encouragement.  I formed the organization "Civil Society 
For Burma" because I wanted to organize the Burmese community in the U.S.

I heard much news about the plight of the Burmese asylum seekers.  They 
were bullied by some Burmese lawyers, translators, and American lawyers.  
Their English is often not very good and they need help.  The people who 
know law and spoke English well entered this field.  Often, they demanded 
800 to 1,000 U.S. dollars for a translation fee, and did not allow them 
to choose their lawyers freely.  The lawyers would then charge another 
1,500 to 2,000 U.S. dollar fee.  
	
The Burmese asylum seekers did not have any money but were forced to pay 
these large amounts.  Sometimes their true stories were not correctly 
translated.  They trusted their translators and did not know this.  So, 
sadly, some lost their cases.  When a case was lost, the lawyers and 
translators encouraged the asylum seekers to make an appeal.  
Unfortunately, it was not free.  The asylum seeker must find even more 
money.  Many opportunists got a lot of money by squeezing helpless 
Burmese citizens who came here for their safety.  

I want to help my countrymen and women so I declared in our CSB 
meeting that we would help those Burmese asylum seekers who need help.  
Our members who speak English well should help those who don't by checking 
their stories to make sure they are accurate.  I clearly said that we 
would not make up stories.  We will help free of charge.  We never took a 
single penny for proof reading, nor did I ever change the facts of the 
stories.  

Our New York Chapter leader Ko Tin Win Thein has been proof reading for 
Burmese asylym speakers.  Some translators were upset about our 
activities because they lost the income they had earned.  Again, we do 
not charge for this service.  We do collect a membership fee of 10 U.S. 
dollars per month. 

Currently, we have nearly 100 members and we are growing fast.  Our
membership is 
varied: most members are people holding green cards.  The second largest 
group are Burmese-American U.S. Citizens.  About 20 asylum seekers also 
belong.  My plan is to organize Burmese people in New York so that we can 
work on behalf of our country.  

In the past, demonstrations in front of the Burmese embassy in New York 
City drew only 5 to 10 people.  On last August 8, more than 100 people 
came.   

I am happy about what I am doing for my country and my mind is clear and 
clean.  I am not jealous of those who have formed separate 
organizations.  I have principles and will not attack those who also 
oppose military rule in Burma.  But I feel the need to respond when my 
reputation is sullied.  I try to not lower myself to their level.

In addition, I want to clarify that I never committed crime when I was 
the Chairman of ABSDF.  Those who spread rumors that I was impeached from 
the office are not members of ABSDF.  This rumor is untrue.  I resigned 
from my post because I was sick and I could not control corruption and 
ungrounded personal attacks among our members.  

After the third ABSDF conference, Ko Moe Thee Zun was elected chairman.  
We were photographed shaking hands in front of our membership, a photo 
that was published on the front page of Dawn ABSDF newsletter.  This 
would not have happened if I have committed crimes and had been 
impeached.  ABSDF leaders Ko Naing Aung and Ko Moe Thee Zun will attest 
to my innocence.  

I am clean and proud of my record.  Those who attack me with groundless 
rumors are cowards who do not contact me directly.  I suspect their 
accusation is related to my critic on NCGUB and FTUB.  

I really want to talk to you personally and share our views for our 
democratic struggle.  Surely our shared goal is too important to be 
stopped because of petty jealousy and rumors.  Please call me at home at 
607-266-8942, or drop me a line.

With best regards,



Htun Aung Gyaw



At 07:18 PM 9/26/98, you wrote:
>Dear Ko Htun Aung Gyaw:
>
>Keep helping the Burmese in need.  I also heard some unconfirmed news that
>someone, who has been doing the same work as yours, is sharing the
>biographical information of the new commers with the SLORC embassy in
>Washington D.C.  I have that person's name.  But I am measuring the
>reliability of my sources.  
>
>As long as you are helpful, protective of and truthful to those people in
>need,  you can count on my support.  Disregard all irrational allegations
made
>by some people out of their unjustifiable impulses.  This kind of "politics"
>will die out or wither away soon.
>
>Myo Thant
>
>
>In a message dated 9/27/1998 1:16:03 AM SE Asia Standard Time,
>hag2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
><< Dear Ko Myo Thant,
> I do not know who you are but I respect your outlook because I do believe
> that all Burmese are sufferd under military rule.  Keep up the good work.
> I am very honored to know a mature person like you.
>  >>
>
>