Dr U Ne Oo Human Rights Home Page
Dr U Ne Oo
18 Shannon Place
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia.
3 June 1998.
President William Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20500
United States of America.
Dear Mr President:
I call you and U.S. Congress' attention to the current political situation in Burma. As Mr President is aware, political stalemate in Burma has continued as the military junta refused to enter dialogue with the opposition National League for Democracy. In spite of this difficulty, we have been much encouraged by the international solidarity against Burma military junta, of which frequently been expressed by the Congrefrequently been expressed by the Congress and Government of United States. As has been pointed out in your letter to Congress on 26 May, the only way out for military junta from this crisis is to make political dialogue with the opposition. In this connection, I enclosed a letter to Senior General Than Shwe, Head of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), for your information.
I am concerned about the reports by the Chinese Naval Officers being involved in monitoring Indian coasts, using the Burmese islands as intelligence-gathering bases. Historg bases. Historically, Burma had always maintained a neutral position between its two most important neighbours China will induce regional imbalance and instability in the long term. I therefore appeal you to look into ways in which balance in the region can be maintained.
I also call upon the Government and Congress of United States to promote a code of conduct for United States companies that will be operating in Burma. The code of conduct for such comduct for such companies should be formulated against the businesses (1) use of forced labour, (2) involvements in unacceptable environmental degradations and (3) engaging in corrupt practices. In accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/52/137, the U.S. businesses may enter into contract with Burma only with the approval of the elected parliament. These considerations would be needed even in the case of political dialogues in Burma begin and U.S. sanctions are formally being lifted. Because of the weakness of css of civil and political institutions in Burma, such a code of conduct, I believe, will become the help in consolidating democratic governance within Burma.
I also draw your attention to the problems of drug production and trafficking, and also of drug money laundering in Burma. Although we have not at present seen any sign of the Burmese military fully cooperating with international community in the counter-narcotics activities, preliminary measures can be made at the regional level towards this effort. Burma's nfort. Burma's neighbouring states -- i.e. China, Thailand and Laos -- should be encouraged to (1) pressure the rebels who are involved in drug production and trafficking, and (2) help curb the arms smugglings into Burma. At the same time, a serious campaign against international drug-money laundering should be launched especially with its focus on Burma. I believe these measures will help towards our efforts for eliminating drug production in Burma.
The military junta is also refusing to allow the U.N. Human Rights Specialan Rights Special Rapporteur, Judge Rajsoomer Lallah, to visit Burma. I appeal the United States Congress and Government to put pressure on Burmese military junta to grant unrestricted access to various parts of Burma to the U.N. Special Rapporteur.
In closing, I thank Mr President and the Congress of United States for your continuing efforts on Burma. It is very heartening to us that the Royal Thai Government and UNHCR have currently been arranging necessary protection for our ethnic minority refugees. Your continuing attention to the situation of these displaced people are greatly appreciated by the Burmese people.
Yours respectfully and sincerely
Sd. U Ne Oo.