Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 1992 16:29:50 PDT
From:         "(Coban Tun)" <tun@QUARK.SFSU.EDU>
Subject:      Burma: Burma Action Group news

/* Written  7:32 pm  Sep 25, 1992 by gn:paulbernal in cdp:reg.seasia */
/* ---------- "Burma action group UK news Sept 92" ---------- */

BAG NEWS,  September 1992

8/8/88 Demonstration

BAG members were joined by other protesters in a demonstration outside
the embassy to commemorate the massacres on 8/8/88 in which thousands
of people were killed.  A list of prisoners was read out as red flowers
were laid symbolically on the pavement.  The response from the embassy
was predictable - silence but for the clicking of camera shutters as they
endeavored yet again to record our faces on film!

Chatham House Conference, 8 September 1992

BAG and Ed McGovern organised a conference in which a group of specialists,
diplomats and UN representatives from New York, Geneva and Europe met to
discuss 'Burma and the UN'. The meeting was successful, in so far as there
was a lively and open discussion among those present, and contacts were
made for the future continuation of discussions and action.

However, the general feeling was that there is simply not enough will
among the member nations of the UN, and particularly regional states, for
effective action within the UN system.ASEAN, and perhaps Malaysia could
act as a broker within ASEAN, was highlighted as the key to any future
action at the UN, but a lot would depend also on Thailand. Japan seems
unwilling to support any strengthened resolution at the General Assembly
this year,and since the Special Rapporteur (appointed by the Commission
for Human Rights) will not be visiting Burma until Nov (after the General
Assembly) and will not present a full report until March, there is very
little to get a stronger resolution through anyway.

Bangladesh could play a crucial role in bringing the Rohingya crisis to
the Security Council (in so far as it threatens the stability and security
of Bangladesh) but is very unlikely to do so, perhaps because of Chinese
intervention.

On the human rights side, it was suggested that there are other options
open in the UN machinery which might be more successful than has so far
been the case, but there needs to be a strong push by NGOs to take up
Burma's case.

Humanitarian aid in Burma was also discussed, the general conclusion
being that whilst there is an obvious need for health and other projects
in the country, the practicalities of working in Burma make it almost
impossible for NGOs to work effectively. The exchange rate in particular
was singled out as a major stumbling block, along with corruption,
getting permission to travel and set up regional offices inside the
country,  the possible danger to local staff, the difficulty in
operating at a grass-roots level without government interference,
among others. Directing aid through neighbouring countries was also
discussed, and at least in the case of Thailand, seemed to be a viable
option which should be further explored.

Recent Press

Two news items were shown on Channel 4 on the 8th and 9th of September
with recent footage from inside Burma. BAG will be showing the film at
SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1 on Thursday 8 October, 4pm
(please phone the office if you're coming). We will also show it at the
AGM for those who can't make it.

The Economist ran an article "Waiting for the New World Order", based
on discussions at Chatham House, on 19 September.

Two BAG nmembers, Neil Wallis and Sarah Beard had articles in Australia
and in their local paper after their trip to Thailand in August.

Exhibition of Photographs by Sean Sutton This is taking place in The
Photographers Workshop, 103-4 St Marys Road, Crowley, Oxford (0865 246027)
from 14thSeptember - 3rd October.  It shows images of the Karen and
their struggle in Burma.

OFFICE NEWS:

BAG has succesfully settled into the new office near London Bridge.
The phone is now connected - 071 403 6303.  As always, there is a huge
amount of work to be done.  New mail arrives everyday, the phone never
stops ringing , and there is piles and piles of filing and mailing to do.
So please, we need MORE VOLUNTEERS!  Tuesday evening is always a good
time to plan on coming in, with the monthly meeting continuing to be held
on the first Tuesday of each month.  If you are intending to come in,
it is a good idea to ring first to check that someone will be here.

January AGM
This is advance warning of next year's AGM which will be held on
Saturday 23rd January 1993.  The venue is yet to be decided.
Suggestions and volunteers to help plan the event are always needed.
There will be a fundraising event held afterwards which we hope all
members will come along too, bringing lots of friends!

New Membership Drive

Despite our campaign to increase membership, we have had only a small number of
 new members in the last two months.  Recently over 500 appeal letters have been
 sent out to prospective new members, enclosing the new leaflet.  New members
 are an essential way for us to raise both funds and awareness.  Please  help us
 by persuading friends and interested persons to join BAG, and by placing
 leaflets in local libraries, travel agents, bookshops and so on.  If anyone
 needs more leaflets, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

Photo Display

We are in the process of preparing three photo diplays of 20 high
quality colour photo copies mounted, with captions, on lightweight
card.  Our intention is that this will be used to increase awareness
of the situation in Burma.  Anybody that thinks they may be able to
put this up in a local library, or at a local event should contact
the office.

NEW BOOKS :

Burma-the next killing fields?

We now have copies in the office of this new book written by Alan Clements, an
 American who lived in Burma for seven years and recently made two secret trips
 back.  He spoke with hundreds of Burmese - everyone from ordinary citizens to
 freedom fighters in the jungle.  This book tells their stories, and gives you
 the background you need to understand the current situation.  The foreword is
 written by the Dalai Lama.  Copies cost #2.50 on collection or #3 including
 P&P, from the office.

Insight Guides have produced a new book on travel to Burma. At the last
BAG committee meeting there was discussion of a possible "Boycott Burma"
campaign to discourage tourists from giving the SLORC more foreign currency
to buy arms. However, a discussion with Burmese opposition members present
at the meeting, who were against the idea of a boycott, resulted in a
resolution that BAG should instead focus our intention on educating those
people who do go to Burma. To this end we would like volunteers who would
be willing to take leaflets round to bookshop stocking this and other
guide books to Burma. Please call the office if you can help.
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