BURMA DIGEST

BURMA DIGEST

19.11.2006

Dr Ibrahim Gambari must be backed by a powerful mandate of UNSC

_by Shwe Ba (BURMA DIGEST)

We stopped at red traffic light not because we are scared of that lifeless automatic light but because of the full force of law backing that traffic light. If there were a lack of enforcement by the traffic police or authorities, most of the drivers would not think twice to break the law and continue driving ignoring that red light. However, if there is a camera to monitor or record the offenders, there is more weight or power in that traffic light.

We avoid committing the crimes and even obey the not very important simple local council rules and regulations only if they are backed by strict reinforcement of the law. Even the rich, powerful persons or high-ranking government servants have to obey an unknown lowly policeman on the road side not because he is superior but there is a full force of the law backing him.

Even God or Messengers of God have to use the religious rules and regulations, backed by the rewards and punishments. Religions purified our spirits and guide our deeds with the carrot and stick method of promise of paradise and punishment at hell or the facing the consequences in the life here after, Sansara.

No one will scare of the nonpoisonous snakes. Even children want to play with them. No one would care the sounds of firecrackers or “Thingyan Cannons” after an initial fright. However, all of us scared of the life ammunitions especially if that are in the wrong persons or our enemies, robbers or terrorists.

I am not comparing any of the great honourable man with the animal. Please forgive me for using the following popular Burmese Proverb. “If we want to throw stone at a dog, we must first look at the face of the dog-owner.” If the dog is a stray dog or owned by a poor non-important person, it may be OK. However, if the dog owner is a rich, famous powerful person, we are courting trouble.

We all know that if someone is backed or supported by a powerful organization or authority, he would get proper respect and even earned obedience. Just see the Traffic Light, or a simple police officer, just because they are backed or supported by the powerful laws and government machinery, every citizen pays respect and obey their order.

Some of the parents wrongly showed their love to their children by avoiding any punishment but with rewards only and spoiled their children. They could not get the best results from their children. My parents always use the rewards and punishment system accordingly to shape us. So we love, respect and obey our parents and even one stare or raise of the eyebrows of my mother could control our noisy conversation or a quarrel.

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari visited Myanmar as an emissary of the Secretary-General, within the context of the good offices mandate given by the General Assembly and at the invitation of the Government of Myanmar.

When compare to his predecessor, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, he is more straightforward and seems to get some tangible results. As just a Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Myanmar, Ambassador Ismail Razali was failed because of his personal business dealings with the Generals and because of his weaker background, a Malaysian, from ASEAN. Myanmar SPDC Junta snubbed the noses of the other two leaders of ASEAN, even going there as ASEAN representatives, Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Philippines.

Let’s look at the gist of his press conference after each visit from UN Official News: http://www.un.org/News/

1. Gambari calls on Myanmar to release Suu Kyi; says ‘concrete actions’ expected. 13 November 2006 –

2. The top United Nations political officer has delivered a letter to Myanmar’s rulers from Secretary-General Kofi Annan reiterating his call

a. for the release of democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and

b. stressing that the international community expects “concrete actions” from the Government in opening up the political process and other areas.

3. He managed to have meetings with top government officials. He had a “frank and extensive dialogue” with

a. including Senior General Than Shwe,

b. Vice Chairman, General Maung Aye, covering a range of political and humanitarian issues. Mr. Gambari was “pleased at the willingness of the leadership to continue to engage with the United Nations in this way,”

4. He managed to have meetings with top government officials. He had a “frank and extensive dialogue” with

c. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,

d. met members of, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

e. as well as members of the diplomatic corps based in Yangon.

5. He delivered a letter to General Than Shwe from the Secretary-General reiterating his appeal

a. for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and

b. the release of other detained persons,

6. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she welcomes

a. continued engagement by the United Nations with Myanmar, in the hope that

b. ]it can be of help in addressing the political and

c. humanitarian issues raised by Mr. Gambari during his visit.

7. Mr. Annan emphasized that the continued value of such engagement “can only be demonstrated by tangible steps forward on central issues such as

a. human rights,

b. democratic reform and

c. national reconciliation.”

8. encouraged the Government to reach agreement with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which has been concerned about the use of forced labour in Myanmar.

9. Mr. Gambari also proposed measures to enable delivery of humanitarian assistance, offered the dispatch of a UN interagency technical mission to Kayin State where civilians have been affected by conflict,

10. UN Under-Secretary-General has emphasized

a. the importance of transparency and

b. the need to open up the political process to all the country’s people,

c. in meetings with representatives from various ethnic and

d. other groups taking part in the National Convention.

11. also told representatives from ethnic groups that the UN stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance to all regions of Myanmar,

12. Mr. Gambari stressed the need for

a. a more inclusive and

b. transparent political process in Myanmar,

c. one in which all of Myanmar’s people can find their voices,

d. including those groups not represented at the Convention,

13. Mr. Gambari met with Government ministers for talks in which he emphasized

a. the need for progress,

b. including the release of political prisoners.

c. In meetings with the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Planning, Mr. Gambari discussed enhancing cooperation between the UN and Myanmar, while stressing_

d. the need for concrete results in areas of concern to the international community.

e. These include: the need to make the road map political process

f. more transparent and

g. inclusive,

h. the release of political prisoners,

i. the opening of space for humanitarian assistance, and

j. the situation in Kayin State,

14. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced Mr. Gambari’s visit, he emphasized that the continued value of such engagement

a. “can only be demonstrated by tangible steps forward on central issues

b. such as human rights,

c. democratic reform and

d. national reconciliation.”

15. The Secretary-General said the visit is “part of a process of dialogue that could lead to strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and Myanmar.

16. After his first visit he had a PRESS CONFERENCE ON MYANMAR

17. Following the first high-level talks between the United Nations and Myanmar in more than two years, the United Nations was in a better position

a. to allow that country to move in the direction of an ”all-inclusive democracy”,

b. sustainable development,

c. full respect for human rights and

d. national reconciliation,

18. the main objective of his visit was to assess the situation first hand

a. in order to examine what more could be done, including by the United Nations,

b. to help Myanmar move in the direction of an all inclusive democracy and

c. national reconciliation.

19. In his discussions in the country, he had stressed the need to turn a new page in the relationship between the United Nations and Myanmar, as well as

a. the need to maintain constructive dialogue in addressing the many challenges facing the country.

b. He had carried with him some very clear messages, including a written formal letter from the Secretary-General to the Senior General, which concerned, in particular, progress on human rights and democratization so that Myanmar could improve its relationship with the international community.

c. that the Secretary-General was committed to providing his good offices to help facilitate Myanmar’s transition to democracy, and

d. the need for a more inclusive and

e. credible political process, so that all political parities,

f. their leaders, and ethnic nationalities could be represented and the restrictions on them lifted.

g. that Aung San Suu Kyi and

h. other political leaders should be released.

i. he had also urged the Government to collaborate fully with United Nations agencies to address such issues as_

j. HIV/AIDS,

k. drug trafficking,

l. displaced persons and

m. child soldiers.

n. United Nations needed guarantees for the safety and unhindered access in order to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in Myanmar.

20. On his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, he said

a. She was a very determined and principled woman,

b. who believed that she and her party had a contribution to make to the country’s development.

c. He assured her that that he agreed with her and that he would encourage the authorities to provide opportunities to take part constructively in the political process.

21. he said it had been important to re-engage with Myanmar

a. On the political front, while time would be needed,

b. there was agreement by the authorities,

c. endorsed by the National League for Democracy, for

d. the United Nations to play a role in promoting common ground between the Government and the National League for Democracy so that

e. the National Convention could resume in a more inclusive way.

22. The issue of the Karen people had been raised.

23. He believed that Myanmar

a. wanted to open up a new chapter.

b. Some doors had been opened.

c. He had tried to widen those doors and

d. get the United Nations country team to follow up. The fact that there was agreement that the United Nations could play a role in promoting common grounds between the Government and the National League for Democracy might be significant and was, at the least,

e. a tacit acceptance that the involvement of National League for Democracy would promote an all-inclusive democratization.

AS THE FOLLOWING GIST OF STATEMENTS BY PROFESSOR PAULO SERGIO PINHEIRO, SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR HAD ALREADY CLEARLY SHOWN THE UN’S BASIC GUIDELINES, WE JUST NEED TO TRUST UN, UNSG AND MR GAMBARI TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR VERY GOOD JOB.

How could UN help Myanmar move rapidly in the direction of an all inclusive democracy and national reconciliation.

Restoration of all-inclusive democracy, (ALL including NLD DAW SUU and Minority races and religions.
full respect for human rights (according UN Human Rights Declarations, all the Christians/Muslims and Ethnic Minorities.)
true national reconciliation,
Must include all the relevant parties in the national reconciliation process in Myanmar.
Must aim for the sustainable development,

UN Under-Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari said he had carried with him some very clear messages:

i. written formal letter from the Secretary-General to the Senior General on:

(a) progress on human rights and

(b) democratization

ii. the Secretary-General to help

(a) facilitate Myanmar’s transition to democracy, and

(b) need for a more inclusive and credible political process, so that

(d) the restrictions on them lifted.

(e) Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders should be released

United Nations should play a powerful and authoritative role in promoting common ground between the Government and the National League for Democracy so that _

A. NATIONAL CONVENTION

The National Convention should be in:
meaningful way and
a more inclusive or
all-inclusive and

(a) all the people of Myanmar,

(b) NLD and all the oppositions and

5.       Fundamental human rights requirements must be fulfilled in the convention

6.       Must initiate a genuine process of political transition, real democracy.

7.       Delegates to the Convention should be freely chosen and

a.  Must represent _

i.         the full range of political parties and

ii.        ethnic minority groups, and

iii.      Minority Religious Groups

b.  Should proportionally reflect the results of the 1990 elections.

8.       Delegates_

a.  There must be freedom of speech and

b.  allow the delegates to meet others without hindrance, and

c.  to bring in and distribute documents and other materials should be guaranteed.

d.  Delegates should also have freedom of movement and

e.  not be confined to their dormitories and

f.   be able to return to their constituencies to consult during the Convention.

g.  They should not be arrested for peaceful activities carried out in relation to the Convention.

        9. Political parties or other groupings

a.    Should not be expelled from the Convention for what they say or advocate

      peacefully.

b.    Political parties

i.         should not be deregistered or

ii.        disqualified.

c.Daw Suu should not be disqualified.

i.    because of her marriage to the British Academician

ii.  Because of the British PR

d.    Religious groups should not be disqualified.

i.    with the excuse of not mixing religion and politics

ii.  with the excuse of not recognizing the religious difference as the basic for the formation of the new races.

      10.  The implementation of the road map

         must be accompanied by - - -

a.        real and tangible changes on the ground

b.       towards a genuinely free,

c.        transparent and

d.       inclusive process involving

i.         all political parties,

ii.        ethnic nationalities

iii.      all minority religious groups and

iv.      members of civil society.

So by reading the above gist or facts, it is very clear and obvious that Mr Gambari and UN are doing their best to help all of us.

I have a keen interest, read numerous books in politics for forty years and am writing quite a lot of analysis on Burma Politics for about 20 years.

But I am mesmerized and amazed by the basic concepts, principles and ideas of these two UN officials Mr Gambari and PROFESSOR PAULO SERGIO PINHEIRO, backed by UN secretary General Mr Koffi Annan. They are complete, perfect and based on the universal or internationally accepted standards. I am sure no one amongst our oppositions could even manage to perform like those three great UN officials.

However, I sincerely believe that Mr Gambari must be given more cloud, more power and the bigger mandate from the more powerful UN authority e.g. UNSC or United Nations Security Council.

When asked Mr Gambari, whether he expected the Council to step in, he said it was up to the Council. He was not a member.
A number of Security Council members had welcomed the visit.
The Secretary-General had sent his Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs there,

with the blessing of some Security Council members -- although it was not a Council mission

Asked whether Aung San Suu Kyi had asked for more involvement by the Security Council,
He said she was very well informed about the dynamics of how the United Nations worked. At one time, in fact, she had been a member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). She had spoken to him frankly and in confidence.
Asked whether he supported greater Security Council involvement, he said he had visited Myanmar as an emissary of the Secretary-General. The Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General each had their own roles. Each complemented the other.

Regarding the issue of military operations, he said he had raised the issue and appealed to the authorities to suspend military action.
Was there talk of offering the Government

a. package of inducements and

b. was there a development plan that went beyond humanitarian access?.

c. the international community appeared ready to help Myanmar.

d. All of that depended on getting commitment on the part of the Government to re-engage with the international community as partners.

e. There were signs of openings in that regard.

f. While he had not gone to Myanmar with any offer of assistance, the country team did indicate that some of the donor countries were interested in helping.

So we all have to support the excellent work done by Mr Gambari

A. as an emissary of the Secretary-General,

B. within the context of the good offices mandate given by the General Assembly and

C. at the invitation of the Government of Myanmar.

Mr Gambari’s position must be up graded to_

A. Special Ambassador of the UN Security Council

B. With the more powerful stronger mandate of UNSC to supervise all the negotiations between SPDC and all the opposition parties.

C. Especially we need the support of all the veto wielding Super-powers of UNSC.

D. He must be supported with the power to decide, dictate, demand and for implementation of the agreed facts.

E. It may be best if he must be empowered with some form of executive power, which is not very easy to get with the present set up, rules and regulations of UN.

F. He should carry the incentives of help by donor countries for SPDC and Burma.

G. His power must be back-upped with the threat of possible sanctions by UNSC.

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