Burmese pro-democracy ‘Working Group’ created to approach China

Irrawaddy: - Lalit K Jha
Thu 30 Aug 2007
Filed under: News, International

Eminent Burmese intellectuals, academicians and political activists in exile have formed a 16-member “Working Group on China” to seek Chinese government help in shaping the future of Burma.

The group, formed during the “Burma Policy Consultation Conference” which ended on Friday in Ottawa, Canada, will create an action plan on strategy to approach China on how best to use its influence to create a popular government in Burma.

The plan represents a shift in strategic thinking, in that it recognizes China’s increased influence and role in supporting the regime.

The first day’s closed-door session was conducted entirely in Burmese.

The next day’s session will be conducted in English and include speeches by several Canadian government officials. At the end of the conference, an “Ottawa Declaration” will be announced, which organizers say could shape the pro-democracy’s movement’s relationship with the world’s largest Communist government.

“We are not against China. We want to have a strong relationship with China,” Tin Maung Htoo, the executive director of the Canadian Friends of Burma told The Irrawaddy at the end of the first day’s deliberations.

“We would tell them [the Chinese] that they should think of the future and not about the present alone. We are sure that the military is not going to rule Burma forever and democracy will be established in Burma sooner or later. So China
needs to think and take into account all these things.”

Prominent speakers on the first day included Nyo Ohn Myint, the head of the foreign affairs department of the National League of Democracy, Thailand; Kyaw Zan Thar, a prominent Burmese journalist; Harn Yawnghwe, the director the Euro-Burma Office, Belgium; Htun Aung Kyaw, the chairman of Civil Society of Burma, USA; Than Khe, the chairman of All Burma Students’ Democratic Front, Thailand; Than Aung, the chairman of Burma Watch International, Thailand; Zaw Oo, an economist; Nay Htun Naing, the director of the NLD, Korea; Naw Seng, the director of the Kachin Affairs Office, North America; and Soe Myint of the Mizzima News Agency.

A paper, “The China-Burma Conundrum” by the editor of The Irrawaddy, Aung Zaw, was read in his absence. The paper reflected the general feeling among conference participants that China may hold an important key to resolve the political deadlock in Burma.

Conference participants were quick to point to several positive signals Beijing has sent to pro-democracy leaders. Beijing recently hosted a rare meeting between Washington and Naypyidaw officials. China has reportedly encouraged the junta to conclude the constitutional drafting process and, most recently, Chinese officials held meetings with ethnic leaders and exiled activists from Burma to discuss their views of the National Convention and other issues.

“Current China policy towards Burma may be viewed as a reality approach based on support for the regime to keep its major share of influence,” said Nyo Ohn Myint, head of the foreign affairs committee of the NLD (Liberated Area). He said China may not want to weaken the Burmese government during any “transitional period.”

In his opening remarks, Tin Maung Htoo recalled a statement by NLD leader Suu Kyi who said many factors are essential for change, and Western economic sanctions alone are not enough.

“One of the crucial components necessary for change in Burma is the positive role China and other regional powers can play in the process of reconciliation and political transition,” he said. “Prompt action should be taken to encourage China’s support, while at the same time taking care not to abandon self-reliance.”