Burmese activists in India demonstrate on Thein Sein's visit to India
- Burma Centre Delhi -

New Delhi: Oct 13:

Burmese activists in India demonstrate on Thein Sein's visit to India on October 13 2011.

Today about 200 hundreds India-based Burmese activists staged a demonstration during Burmese President Thein Sein visit to India from 12 to 15 October 2011.

The demonstrators demand for release of all political prisoners and to stop civil wars by shouting slogans.

A memorandum was submitted to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India during the demonstration.

We, Burmese pro-democracy movement in India see this visit of President of Burma to India is an opportunity for India to cautiously deal with quasi-military government of Burma. The progress in bilateral relations in line with Look Easy Policy has been too slow and the promises repeatedly given by leaders of Burma before are not kept. So India should not make the same mistake in dealing with new administration of her east neighbor, stated in the memorandum.

Burmese activists in India demonstrate on Thein Sein's visit to India on October 13 2011.

We, Burmese pro-democracy movement in India cannot welcome president U Thein Sein’s visit to India because this Burmese government does not genuinely represent the people of Burma. Serious section of political circle do not accept the constitution of 2008 and all major political parties which truly won in the 1990 election did not participate in the election held in 2010. Keeping Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and thousands of political prisoners in prison the election of 2010 was shockingly manipulated and the visiting president and his government officials are those who announced themselves as the winners of the election, mentioned in memorandum.



MEMORANDUM
To
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister
Government of India


Date: 13th October 2011

Dear Prime Minister,

We, Burmese pro-democracy movement in India see this visit of President of Burma to India is an opportunity for India to cautiously deal with quasi-military government of Burma. The progress in bilateral relations in line with Look Easy Policy has been too slow and the promises repeatedly given by leaders of Burma before are not kept. So India should not make the same mistake in dealing with new administration of her east neighbor.

We, Burmese pro-democracy movement in India cannot welcome president U Thein Sein’s visit to India because this Burmese government does not genuinely represent the people of Burma. Serious section of political circle do not accept the constitution of 2008 and all major political parties which truly won in the 1990 election did not participate in the election held in 2010. Keeping Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and thousands of political prisoners in prison the election of 2010 was shockingly manipulated and the visiting president and his government officials are those who announced themselves as the winners of the election. Therefore all agreements signed by the visiting president will definitely give the same outcomes of the MoUs of previous military regime of Burma.

The new developments taking placed in Burma need meticulous analysis and jumping hasty conclusion will give rise to negative consequences. All dictators yield when their power is being challenged. It seems that although they could continue rule the country by hood or by crook they may feel insecure and decided to pay a little bit of carrot.

Those who imprisoned for political reasons are not to be jailed at outset. Then those released in a high profile manner can be arrested at any time for any lengthy prison terms. Media restriction might have proved to be counterproductive for longer stay in power and has been partially relaxed. Bringing some non-military representatives in the parliament will have cosmetic effect. Giving out some money to pensioners and loans to extremely needy people will not deflate millionaires’ pocket.

Halting the huge dam project has been agreed to pay compensation to China and consequentially the people will have to pay more tax for the wrong decision made by the military regime. That good news kills two birds with one stone: satisfaction for Burmese people and appeasement for China as well as praise by others.

We, Burmese pro-democracy movement fully support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s efforts for democracy, national reconciliation and peace. We are still doubtful of changes made by the government side.

We are grateful to the people of Burma and international community who do not give much expected credit to the new government of Burma. We forewarn those people and countries which quickly applaud those new developments.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tint Swe
On behalf of Burmese democratic forces in India
WZ-109, Bodella, Vikas Puri
New Delhi-110018