Nobel Peace Prize laureate comments on the situation in Myanmar

Tuesday, June 20, 2003

Dr. José Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, has a long-standing interest and involvement in promoting peace and democracy in Myanmar. He is co-chairman with former Secretary of State Dr Madaleine Albright and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Oscar Arias Sanchez (Costa Rica), Arch. Desmond Tutu (South Africa) and Rigoberta Menchu Tum (Guatemala) of the International Campaign for Free Burma (Oslo).

In 1994 Dr Ramos-Horta traveled to Burma and conducted a human rights and international diplomacy course for Burmese delegates. In December 2001 on the centennial of the Nobel Peace Prize, he was the spokesperson for all Nobel Peace Laureates in honoring their fellow Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kji in a tribute held in Oslo.

The following is a statement he has issued in Phon Penh while attending the 36th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

"Only a few weeks ago hopes were high that finally peace and democracy were slowly but steadily returning to the suffering people of Burma/Myanmar. I was even begin to believe that it was time for the US and the EU to gradually lift some of the sanctions and restrictions imposed on that country", said Dr Ramos-Horta

The recent events in Burma/Myanmar have wiped out all our moderate sense of hope and optimism. The attacks on Daw Aung Suu Kji and her supporters were a premeditated act orchestrated by hardliners of the military regime who are against the dialogue and reconciliation process supported by others in the same regime.

"We cannot be concerned only about the fate of our Nobel Laureate colleague. We are profoundly worried about the fate of hundreds of her supporters of whom we haven't heard from at all", added Dr Horta

I commend the ASEAN leaders for breaking a taboo when it comes to gross and systematic human rights violations within the region voicing their demands that Suu Kji be freed immediately.

However, the simple release of the Burmese democratic leader is not enough. The military regime must accept a clear timetable towards free and democratic relations in Myanmar within a reasonable period of time.

The UN, working in close consultation with ASEAN leaders, must be involved or lead the process towards, and supervise, free and democratic elections in Burma/Myanmar.

In working towards a peaceful and stable transition and a free and democratic Burma, the democracy movement in Burma as well as the international community must also consider safeguards, guarantees and incentives for those in power today who might seek such safeguards.

Dr Horta also said, "ASEAN is facing a unique challenge to its own credibility. If there is any virtue left with the authorities in Rangoon, they should at least show loyalty to their ASEAN friends and neighbors, spare them embarrassment, and heed their friendly advice".

Burma is a country blessed with rich natural resources and a gifted people. It can prosper and be an important regional player if its current leaders were to relinquish their absolute power and accept the inevitable changes that will come sooner or later.