RICE APPEAL

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

RICE APPEAL : LET THE PEOPLE IN BURMA HELP EACH OTHER

While the Altsean-Burma Secretariat extends its warmest solidarity to all
activists during this festive period, it wants to express its grave concern
at the mean-spirited attacks by the junta upon the NLD's humanitarian efforts.

Recently, the National League for Democracy started a programme to
distribute rice to needy people (who have been suffering the consequences
of severe economic mismanagement and attacks on the agricultural base of
the country). The programme has really taken off well with more
contributors coming forward to supply rice. The recipients really need and
appreciate the rice.

However, the junta has reacted to this popular humanitarian programme by
trying to shut it down. Extreme harassment has been inflicted on
individuals involved in the supply and distribution of the rice. Despite
this the NLD continues to be committed to maintaining and expanding its
humanitarian efforts.

The Altsean-Burma Secretariat appeals to all our colleagues involved in the
universal struggle for human rights and democracy to protest this
mean-spirited harassment. Please raise this issue with your government as
well.

There are people in Burma trying to help each other in the spirit of loving
kindness and compassion, and their efforts are being hampered by the very
forces which are the root cause for the intense poverty in Burma. 

If the junta is using intimidation and force to prevent Burmese from
helping each other in a very simple and basic way, how can we trust them to
allow international agencies to deliver assistance directly to those who
need it most?  This is another reason to question the practicality of
international aid reaching the grassroots when there is no political reform.

Please protest this harassment to the closest representative of the junta.
Send them a greeting card with a message demanding that the authorities
stop this harassment and if possible, enclose grain of rice! Please also
send your protest to the junta leaders (address below). It is a potent form
of protest since the country's flag features a bundle of rice.

It is definitely a good way to start off a revolutionary 1999!

Yours in solidarity,

The Staff of the Altsean-Burma Secretariat

____________________

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar
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A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
Tel: 66 2 275 1811 * Fax: 66 2 693 4515
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