Democratic Voice of Burma

Democratic Voice of Burma

UN special envoy meets representatives of Burmese ethnic groups 

It has been learned that United Nations special envoy for human rights Mr Pinheiro, who is currently in Rangoon, met with Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council [SPDC], this evening. Both sides have declined to give the details of the meeting. At 1400 [local time], Mr Pinheiro met for about two hours with the UNA, United Nationalities Alliance. 

The seven organizations that attended the meeting were U Khun Tun Oo from Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, [SNLD], U Saw Mra Aung and U Aye Tha Aung from Arakan League for Democracy, U Cing Shin Htang from Zomi National Congress, Salai Lian Mung from Chin National League for Democracy, Mahn Peter Kyaw Yin from Karen National Congress for Democracy, and the representatives from Kachin State National Congress for Democracy and Mon National Democratic Front. 

The nationalities delegates presented three main points to Mr Pinheiro who promised he would try his best to fulfil the requirements. But the nationalities delegates told DVB [Democratic Voice of Burma] that Mr Pinheiro might cancel his [fact-finding] trip to the Shan State because he was not allowed to go to the regions he wanted to go. 

DVB correspondent Htet Aung Kyaw contacted U Khun Tun Oo, Salai Lian Mung, and Mahn Peter Kyaw Yin to learn more about the meeting. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] Yes. U Khun Tun Oo, you have met Mr Pinheiro a few times. What do you think is the difference between this meeting and the previous ones? 

[U Khun Tun Oo] 
Well there are three points raised at this meeting. The first is, he said he would not go on a fact-finding trip to Shan State because he said he did not have enough facts. He also remarked that his trip would be futile because the victims of the abuses will no longer be in the country, they would have fled to Thailand. He said he would try to obtain the facts from the Thai side. He asked whether the nationalities' parties have gained permission to engage in political activities and I answered not yet. He promised he would try to request the authorities to grant permission. The third point is that he would strive for the early holding of the tripartite talks. He said it would affect his reputation if he just come and go without achieving anything. He said he met Mr Razali [UN secretary general's special envoy] three times before he came.

[Salai Lian Mung] 
Another matter is the release of all political prisoners.

[Htet Aung Kyaw] 
What did Mr Pinheiro say? 

[Salai Lian Mung] 
He said he would urge the release of all political prisoners and the holding of tripartite talks between the SPDC military government, the NLD, and the national races. 

[Mahn Peter Kyaw Yin] 
For national races like us the holding of tripartite talks is our hope [for the future]. As we live within the framework of the law and adhere to the existing laws our objective has become the tripartite talks. That is why we vehemently urged Mr Pinheiro for the emergence of the tripartite talks. We can only afford to do that because we have no other alternative. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] 
Well, there are still over 1,000 political prisoners that remain incarcerated. How many national races are still detained? 

[Salai Lian Mung] There are still seven detained national race political prisoners... 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] What political activity is the national race parties currently engaged in? 

[Mahn Peter Kyaw Yin] Our political parties currently do not have an official status. Our parties have been deregistered for some time so we cannot perform any official political activity. 

[Salai Lian Mung] 
Of the eight political parties currently in the United Nationalities Alliance, UNA, only the SNLD is officially recognized. The remaining seven parties have been deregistered. Since the SPDC military government said that a new page has been opened in the political chapter of the country and that every citizen could freely engage in any political activity, we formed the alliance with the hope of preparing for the tripartite talks. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] 
Yes. After meeting with Mr Pinheiro, what is the difference of this trip compared to the previous ones? 

[Salai Lian Mung] We think there is a certain degree of improvement. In light of the prevailing situation of our country, the least thing that we need is the tripartite talks. He gave more preference to the tripartite talks this time and we on our part presented to him what should be presented. We feel there is going to be some positive change.

[End of recording] 

It has been learned that Mr Pinheiro is expected to meet tomorrow with the veteran politicians group led by Bohmu Aung who participated in the struggle for Burma's independence. Thakhin Thein Pe said the following. 

[Thakhin Thein Pe] 
He said he would not be going to the Shan State so he can spare more time in Rangoon. That is why he said he will meet with other political groups in Rangoon. It has not been officially confirmed but he is supposed to have told the UNA members. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] 
Yes. This could be your first meeting isn't it because you haven't met before? [Thakhin Thein Pe] We have officially asked for a meeting the last time. We asked for the formation of a consultative board. After that, the board should convene parliament and form a coalition government. Then the coalition government formed with parliamentary approval will become a de jure government. The government will then, according to what we propose, hold elections. 

[Htet Aung Kyaw] 
Right, will you discuss the same topic when you meet with Mr Pinheiro tomorrow? 

[Thakhin Thein Pe] 
Yes, we will present the proposal.