NEWS - Suu Kyi appeals to Japan ove

[RangoonPost@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Suu Kyi appeals to Japan over rights, democracy

In a message dated 12/31/99 1:08:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, BURMAJAPAN 
writes:

<< Suu Kyi appeals to Japan over rights, democracy
   
 BANGKOK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Nobel prize-winning dissident Aung San Suu Kyi 
appealed in a New Year message for Japan and other Asian countries to take a 
strong stand for democracy and human rights in Myanmar and the rest of Asia. 
 
 Myanmar's 1991 peace laureate said in the videotaped message prepared for 
release at a democracy rally in Hong Kong on Friday that the people of her 
military-ruled country would start the new millennium stalked by ``want and 
fear.'' 
 
 ``People wake up in the morning wondering which of their friends have been 
taken into detention by the authorities. People wake up in the morning 
wondering where their next meal is going to come from,'' she said. 
 
 ``They wake up in the morning wondering what the future of their children 
will be and worrying about it. Want and fear go together where there are no 
human rights and where there is no justice.'' 
 
 Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy won Myanmar's last election in 
1990 but was never allowed to govern, said she would like greater support 
from fellow Asians. 
 
 ``We would especially like the Japanese people to take a strong stand in the 
battle for democracy. 
 
 ``Japan is one of the strongest economies in the world and it is a 
democracy. It is certainly the richest Asian country. As (the) richest Asian 
country and a democracy, Japan has a duty to try to promote human rights and 
democracy in other parts of Asia. 
 
 ``We hope that the year 2000 will see a blossoming of Japanese interest in 
human rights and democracy.'' 
 
 Suu Kyi said she sometimes thought Asians ``too hard on ourselves as human 
beings.'' 
 
 ASIA 'LACKS COMPASSION' 
 
 ``I think there is a lack of compassion, which is a great pity and a great 
surprise because Buddhism was born in Asia and Buddhism is the great religion 
of compassion.'' 
 
 Suu Kyi's message follows a series of high-level contacts between Japan and 
Myanmar, which have raised concerns among pro-democracy activists that Tokyo 
may be breaking ranks from international efforts to pressure the generals 
towards democracy. 
 
 The contacts have included meetings between Japanese Prime Minister Keizo 
Obuchi and Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe, and a visit to Myanmar by 
Japan's top big business group, the Federation of Economic Organisations, or 
Keidanren. 
 
 In December, Obuchi's senior foreign policy adviser, former Prime Minister 
Ryutaro Hashimoto, visited Myanmar and met the generals but did not see Suu 
Kyi. 
 
 Myanmar is subject to U.S. sanctions because of its human rights records, 
while the European Union bars senior officials of the government from its 
borders. 
 
 Japan froze aid to Myanmar after troops there killed thousands to crush a 
pro-democracy uprising in 1988, but Japanese diplomats and analysts say Tokyo 
is concerned about losing business and political influence in Myanmar to 
China. 
 
 It resumed some humanitarian assistance after Suu Kyi was released from six 
years house arrest in 1995 and in November Obuchi offered help should the 
government take up economic structural reform seriously. 
 
 At the same time Obuchi said it would be easier to give aid if the country 
was more democratic. 
 
 00:01 12-31-99
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