Junta scared out of its wits

Junta scared out of its wits, says scholar
License to Rape 

In a response to yesterday's press conference in Rangoon where defense ministry spokesman accused two prominent dissidents of masterminding the rape report that had sent shock waves far and wide, noted Shan academic Chao Tzang Yawnghawe questioned whether Rangoon authorities were still maintaining their mental equilibrium. 

"We could discern some apprehension among the top brass last year when ILO (International Labor Organization) was making enquires about the killings of villagers who had complained about the prevailing forced labor in southern Shan State despite its announced official ban," said the bespectacled, grizzled scholar. "But this time they have gone completely nuts." 

The 63-year old Chao Tzang, son of Sao Shwe Thaike, the first president of the Union of Burma (1948-52), was referring to the charge made by Col San Pwint that his younger brother Harn and Aung San Suu Kyi's cousin, Dr. Sein Win were behind the launching of License to Rape: The Burmese military regime's use of sexual violence in the ongoing war in Shan State on 19 June, coinciding with Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday. 

Harn, 54, also known as Hso Harn Fah, has already denied the accusation. Hseng Noung of Shan Women's Action Network also said Shan Human Rights Foundation and SWAN had not received funds from Burma Fund, headed by Harn Yawnghwe and Dr Sein Win to prepare the report. 

SHRF, led by Thailand-based Shans, has already had three "brushes" with Burma's military rulers during the past 20-months. 

The 2-month long "battle" between the activists and Rangoon had also cast a profound effect on the Shan State Army, whom Rangoon previously claimed as the originator of the report. "Before License to Rape, we thought the armed struggle was the only way and these women were wasting their time and energy", conceded a top official feelingly. "Now we've learned from them, these brave women, there are several other ways to fight the enemy."