Members of a respected Mon political group applaud a recent visit by a US State Department official after meeting with him in Rangoon on Wednesday, but urge caution as the US potentially signals a shift in its policy towards Burma.
On March 25th, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) Nai Tun Thein and Nai Ngwe Thein met with the US official to discuss America’s policy towards Burma. U Aye Tha Aung, secretary of the Committee Representing the People of Parliament (CRPP), also attended the lunch meeting.
According to Nai Ngwe Thein, Stephen Blake, the director of the US State Department’s Office of Mainland Southeast Asia, asked the three men whether their groups would not be participating in the election. Both the MNDF and CRPP have announced that they will not be joining the 2010 polls.
The MNDF is one of the most respected political parties representing Mon people and won 5 seats in Burma’s 1990 elections, which were later annulled. The CRPP is a larger body made up of members elected to this never-convened parliament.
Nai Ngwe Thein said that he reiterated the MNDF’s previously publicized stance, and said that they oppose the election until Burma’s constitution is reviewed. A national referendum approved a new constitution for Burma in May 2008. Both the document and the referendum process, however, have been roundly condemned as undemocratic.
Mr. Blake asked the group’s opinions on whether Ban Ki Moon should visit Burma. “It would be good for him to come to Burma,” Nai Ngwe Thein said he told Mr. Blake.
Mr. Blake also reportedly asked the group how it felt about the prospect of international donor support for people in Burma. The US government has widely been reported to be re-evaluating its foreign policy towards Burma, which is currently dominated by some of the world’s strictest economic sanctions.
“We also want to receive help for our people. It would be good to support directly to the people,” Nai Ngwe Thein said he told Mr. Blake. “This means support but not with the Burmese government taking from the people. If we give to the Burmese government first, Burmese people will not get all the support.”
In spite of the words of caution, Nai Ngwe Thein offered a potentially optimistic take on Mr. Blake’s visit. “Because Mr. Blake came to Burma, in my view it is a good thing to change the situation in Burma,” Nai Ngwe Thein continued. “Before, when ethnic people wanted to meet with [UN special envoy Ibrahim] Gambari, they did not get that chance. Now, when Mr. Blake came to Burma he offered to talk with us. I do not think the Burmese situation can change in a hurry, but it could improve.”
