Much to be Done for the Refugees

[ZIRC]

In a program aired on April 15, Aung San Suu Kyi discusses the appointment by the United States of a Special Envoy for Burma, explains why she will not leave Burma to travel abroad, and shares her views of Burma’s newly elected government.

Q:  As a leader of the people in Burma, how do you view the appointment of a Special Envoy for Burma by the United States? How much will this appointment help our Burmese democracy movement?

A:  We are pleased with the appointment of the special envoy by the American government. We understand that the person who has been selected for the position, Mr. Derek Mitchell, studied Burmese affairs for many years and that he is an expert in Asian affairs as well. That is why we believe that he will carry out his duties in a very responsible manner. If he assesses the situation in Burma accurately, and gives sound advice in formulating American government policy, I think that his appointment will be helpful to the Burmese democracy movement.

Q:  I once went to Germany to give a talk at a seminar. At that seminar, when I asked the German students who they knew of better—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or the Venerable Dalai Lama—many students replied that they had heard more about the Dalai Lama. They said that the Dalai Lama has visited many foreign countries, including Germany, many times and that he has given talks and has met with human rights groups, and has also written many books. Do you have plans yourself to travel abroad to meet with foreign governments and human rights groups and talk about Burmese affairs?

A:  At the moment, I do not have any plans to travel abroad. It is because there is much to be done inside Burma. Since it is more important for the world to know about the struggle for democracy in Burma than to know about me, I would like Burmese people like you, who are abroad, to help in this effort.

Q:  Many of the Burmese people who fled our country due to government repression and abject poverty now live as refugees in Malaysia. Some of us have been recognized as refugees by the UNHCR and have received assistance, while others have not been recognized and have not received any assistance. All of us are definitely in need of personal security and the support of the international community. Can you give us any advice with regard to our predicament?

A:  I will ask the UNHCR [U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees] about these matters. Additionally, we are in the process of setting up a network so that the Burmese people who are abroad may help each other. What people like you can do immediately is help the refugees to be united, to care for each other and understand each other. If that can be done, you will be able to think of ways to resolve some of those problems.

Q:  I am a member of the [ethnic] Kachin social development organization. At the moment, we are seeing that the Myitsone Dam, which is to be built in the Kachin State, will have a lot of adverse effects on the people living in the area. The dam will also adversely affect the lives of the people living along the Irrawaddy River right down to the delta area. The Kachin people reject this dam and are protesting in any way they can. Do you also have plans to protest against this dam?

A:  Researchers in the NLD [National League for Democracy] are preparing a paper not only on the adverse effects of building the Myitsone Dam, but also on how deforestation will adversely affect the plains along the Irrawaddy River. They will be studying the effects on areas ranging from the source of the Irrawaddy River way up in the north to the delta in the south. The NLD plans to organize a movement to conserve the environment around the Irrawaddy River. A lot of the information provided by NLD members and friends from the Kachin State is being used as the basis for that plan.

Q:  The military government has changed its form and has established a new Burmese government. Do you accept this new government? Do you recognize its legal status? What do you think of it?

A:  I recognize the new government as a fact of reality. But I will have to wait awhile to see if it is a government that will truly respect the wishes and aspirations of the people, and to see if it is a government that will serve the interests of the country and the people.