[burmanet2-l] CRPP, French Parliame (r)

[dawnstar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: [burmanet2-l] CRPP, French Parliament & TOTAL

Dear Friends, 

As I have said for years now, supporting democracy in Burma while
supporting TOTAL and the dictatorship in Burma are two inconsistent and
incompatible tactics of a single strategy, to get away with murder and
reap in the profits. And that is what the French government and its
ministers are doing. Yes, the former president of France, Francois
Mitterand never visited Burma. But Ne Win certainly has his friends here
and throughout Europe. Four years ago Jack Lang, admirably responded to
our appeal, at Euro-Burma to send a personal message of support to Aung
San Suu Kyi, during the December 1995 crisis. I believe he is a true and
faithful supporter. Let us hope he will be able to shake the rock of
state of the French V Republic and do something good for the Burmese
democracy movement. But until TOTAL gets serious about the sort of firm
message from former Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy and the Socialist
International, and the European Parliament's July 16 resolution
"inviting" TOTAL to "freeze" its investiments and virtuall withdraw its
support of the dictatorship, supporting the CRRP will be a positive but
small compensation under the heel of TOTAL & CO.'s almighty disregard
for human rights. Sure, they say they will follow the french government,
okay, and follow the political decisions of the French government. So
this is what is needed, not only recognition of the CRRP, but adherence
to Aung San Suu Kyi's insistent appeal, for the French oil and gas
company, and for the French government, to stop investing in Burma at
this time, until democracy comes. 

No one following closely the movement here in Paris and in Rangoon will
be fooled by a french initiative that does not force TOTAL out of Burma.
Perhaps recognition of the CRPP will bring further political pressure on
the junta, but it hardly will force them out of their entrenched
position of power. Not if we accept the reality of what has happened in
the last ten years. 

Nothing but a full international boycott of all economic investment
supporting the dictatorship, hand in hand with support of the CRPP, will

force either the french, or their proxy military clients in Rangoon, to 
see the way of reason and compassion and truth in Burma.

Euro-Burma welcomes this latest intiative on the part of Jack Lang. But
he needs to see that economic support of the dictatorship in
inconsistent and incompatible with supporting both the democratic call
for reconcilation and dialogue, which they have done all along, and
bankrolling the bankrupt dictators. 

One really has to wonder why the ministers and the political class here
is so stymied and tight-lipped about criticizing what is now virtually a
full-fledged multinational oil and gas company, ranked fifth in the
world, and subject to the same pressures as any other energy
conglomerate, irregardless of TOTAL's invested stake in France's nuclear
future. 

Even Francois Holland signed last November's Socialist International
Declaration and Resolution on Burma condemning TOTAL. But since then we
have seen no concrete measures to turn hard the helm of state in the
right direction and on the right course. 

Dawn Star



info-birmanie wrote:
> 
> INFO BIRMANIE received yesterday,  from the French Parliament, a
> letter written by the Chairman of the Commission of Foreign Affairs.
> Here is its (unofficial) translation. The Comité de soutien à Aung San
> Suu kyi has been formed by NGOs (as Info Birmanie, France Libertés -
> Fondation Danielle Mitterrand, Association Femmes et Développement,
> ICRA International, Enfance & Partage, Alliance des Femmes pour la
> Démocratie...) and personnalities (U Aung Ko, Ms Antoinette Fouque
> EuroMP, Mr. Noël Mamère MP, Mr. Jean Paul Durieux MP, Mr. Israel
> Halperin secretary of Campaigns for human rights CHR, Miss Christiane
> Besse editor, Mr. Daniel Cattelain film director, Ms Martine Meffre
> pianist, ambassador Stephane Hessel...).
> 
> ********************************
> Unofficial translation
> 
> REPUBLIC of FRANCE
> 
> FRENCH PARLIAMENT
> The Chairman of the Foreign affairs commission
> 
> Paris, June 21th, 1999
> 
> To M. Hubert VEDRINE, Foreign affairs Minister of France
> 
> Dear Hubert.
> 
> The Comité de soutien à Aung San Suu Kyi contacted me on the matter of
> the present  political deadlock in Burma, in spite of the readiness of
> the NLD to begin a political dialogue.
> 
> Consequently, I am preparing to engage the French Parliament in an
> action supporting the Burmese democrats, following the example of the
> European, Swedish, Norvegian and Belgian Parliaments.
> 
> Could you please let me know your reaction and your commentaries. What
> is the state about present diplomatic contacts between France and the
> Burmese Junta ?
> 
> Dear Hubert
> ...
> Best regards
> ...
> 
> Jack LANG
> 
> **************
> FRENCH PARLIAMENT  The Chairman of the Foreign affairs commission
> 
> Paris, June 21th, 1999
> 
> To Farid GHEHIOUECHE (Info Birmanie) and Alan DELEFLIE (France
> Libertés - Fondation
> Danièlle MITTERRAND)
> Comittee supporting Aung San Suu Kyi 14, passage Dubail  75010 Paris
> 
> Dear Sirs.
> 
> I received your letter dated may 20th ; thank you for this. I am happy
> of the success of your intiative to create a Comity supporting Aung

> San Suu Kyi.
> 
> The present situation in Burma preoccupies me a grat deal and I have
> decided to give a positive answer to your legitimate appeal : the
> involvement of the French National Assemblee in an action supporting
> the Burmese democrats.
> 
> I refered to the Foreign affairs Minister of this important matter, in
> a letter you will find enclosed.
> 
> Dear Sirs.  Best regards.. .
> 
> Jack LANG