Editorial: The World As ONE

                   They say these days that "The world has become a village". If so, it must be that the WORLD has become rather a democratic village with a keen spirit to make united efforts for improvement of human-rights in every part of the village.

                  Now, for the first time ever in history, Burma's deteriorating human-rights and humanitarian conditions have been discussed in United Nations Security Council. It's just an informal discussion_ but even for a thousand miles journey, we have to make with a single first step.

                 On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, another wonderful development is happening at the East Asian Summit. Breaking their tradition of sinful silence or non-interference, Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) voiced their concerns about Burma's lack of progress in democratization process and continuing ruthless oppression on pro-democracy politicians.

                 Now, an envoy from ASEAN will go to Burma and, hopefully, push the military regime towards democratic reforms.

                 And, on the whole world stage, we can trust our American and British friends that they will persuade UNSC to make a formal discussion on Burma and to take necessary actions later on.

                 These international efforts are very crucial for our democracy movement because our movement is surviving mainly in exile only_  inside Burma, all credible and important pro-democracy activists are in jail; some of them had died under torture, and some broken down under torture and already given up their fighting spirits for democracy. The movement is thriving only in exile with the help and support from our international friends.

                Previously, Burmese people suffered silently 30 long years under the cruelties of former dictator Ne Win without much recognition and sympathy from outside world. Nowadays, the whole world is uniting behind us for a democratic change in Burma. The only difference is that we have a credible and very active pro-democracy movement in exile this time.

                So, who knows, with the well-concerted international efforts we may be able to drive military Generals to round table dialogue with pro-democracy and ethnic leaders to make honest negotiations for true democracy and sincere federalism in Burma.

WWW http://www.tayzathuria.org.uk/

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