It is too early to trust the new Burmese government

Meanwhile, a prominent US congressman lawmakers said it is too early to trust the new Burmese government, given the bitter experience the international community had with the military junta in the past.

“Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the international community’s recent trust in assurances that Burma is opening up to the world and becoming a true democracy in which the rights of all people in Burma are protected. There have been some positive steps taken recently by the dictators, however, until we see permanency in these changes, we would all do well to remain deeply cautious,” Congressman Joseph R. Pitts said.

Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives, the Pennsylvania congressman said that one important issue the Secretary of State addressed during her visit to Burma regarded the attacks by government troops against ethnic minorities.

“It is vital, and I cannot emphasize this enough, that leaders of the various ethnic groups be included in any and all discussions, dialogue and decision about the future of Burma,” he said.

“I would call your attention to the call by the UN for a tripartite dialogue—all three parties, the dictatorship, the democracy groups and the ethnic groups, must be included fully in all negotiations and agreements in order for true change to come to Burma,” he said.

“This is even more important when, during this visit and the recent Asean meetings, the dictatorship was violently attacking one or more ethnic groups,” Pitts said, then alleged the Burmese junta has used the advanced light helicopters it bought from India along with other military hardware from other nations against the ethnic minority civilian populations.

“The brutality of Burma’s generals against the ethnic minorities has not stopped, even during this time when they are allegedly making democratic reforms. Therefore, we as a democratic, free nation must be extremely careful of what the generals are really up to—they haven’t proven themselves trustworthy in the past,” Pitts said.

---------------------------
from GS