The Hindu : Myanmar leader seeks Delhi's support

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 20, 2003

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Myanmar leader seeks Delhi's support

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Feb. 19. A leader of Myanmar's opposition group, the National League for Democracy (NLD), Dr. Swe, has urged the Indian Government to help in "reviving the dialogue between the Burmese military junta and the NLD" as a means of restoring democracy in that country.

Dr. Swe, who is on a tour of south India under Amnesty International's banner, told mediapersons here on Wednesday that India needed to provide support for the dialogue process. The military regime would certainly be more comfortable with its Asian neighbour than holding talks with Western nation representatives. However, it should not stop with talking only with the generals.

It should also hold talks with the Opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, whose NLD stood for peace and non-violence.

India had a "constructive engagement" with Myanmar's military leaders, mainly to foster border trade and some forms of aid.

But recently, Dr. Swe noted, he was concerned with Indian arms supplies, mainly artillery pieces, passed on through the Manipur border.

"At least 80 trucks of equipment passed through the Moreh-Tamu border post in Manipur about two months back."

Pointing to the continuing human rights violations including oppression of the people, mainly the ethnic minorities, Dr. Swe said 50 million people live in permanent fear.

But, their only hope was Suu Kyi's movement, which spread its message through the radio.

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