| By LALIT K. JHA | Tuesday, March 9, 2010 |
WASHINGTON — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has written a letter to Burmese Snr-Gen Than Shwe expressing concern over the lack of progress in restoration of democracy in Burma and emphasizing the need for a credible and transparent election later this year.
“I have sent, about ten days ago, a letter to Snr-Gen Than Shwe, first of all expressing my concern about the lack of progress and also emphasizing the importance of the election which will held this year to be in a most credible, inclusive and transparent manner,” Ban told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
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Ban said he had noted recent news report in the official Burmese media of the enactment of election laws.
“That is what I had been urging the Myanmar [Burma] authorities to do as soon as possible. First of all, I have been following up on that, and I will continue to follow this matter,” he said.
He also called for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, the popular Burmese democracy leader, which he said is essential for a successful election.
Most importantly, all political prisoners should be released as soon as possible, he said, so that all of them can take part in elections.
“That would make the elections inclusive and credible,” Ban said.
“I repeatedly emphasized that, without the participation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all key political prisoners, the elections would not be inclusive,” Ban said.
He said he is still looking for a replacement for Ibrahim Gambari, the UN special envoy on Burma who has been moved to a new position on Darfur. Ban's chief de cabinet, Vijay Nambiar, is temporarily handling Burma affairs, Ban said.
Meanwhile, more than 50 Burmese organizations have expressed concern over the lack of national reconciliation and the credibility of the upcoming election.
“The 2010 election is not a solution and will not bring democracy to Burma,” according to a declaration issued by the Third Burma Forum Canada.
More than 50 organizations including ethnic nationalities recently met in Canada, including representatives of the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma, the Burmese government in exile; Ethnic Nationalities Council and Euro-Burma Office.
The declaration said that deteriorating political and human rights conditions in Burma are not favorable to hold a multi-party election.
“This is the time to work to resolve existing problems through a proper consultation with all the stake-holders in the nation,” it said.
“If the regime forcibly continues to go ahead without having a meaningful and inclusive dialogue with democratic and ethnic leaders inside the country, the election will not be internationally acceptable and credible,” the declaration said. “All Burmese citizens must be able to freely participate in the political process so that the elections can be considered credible, free and fair.”
Meanwhile, the Canadian government announced its continued support for Burmese refugees and displaced persons living in Burma's border areas by renewing funding of $15.9 million over five years.
Canada's support builds on significant funding over the past five years, in which health initiatives have treated nearly one million cases of malaria, acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, severe malnutrition, provided food aid to approximately 145,000 refugees, and health care services to about 500,000 refugees, according to the government.
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