Solidarity for the People of Myanmar

National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) - Indonesia

Solidarity for the People of Myanmar:

The Struggle for Popular Democracy.

Withdraw The Indonesian Ambassador from Myanmar!

The political crisis in Myanmar has entered its boiling point after days of consecutive protests led by monks, hundreds of thousands of people, including pro-democracy groups, were met with violent reaction by the military Junta. These protests were an accumulation of previously widespread protests by the people against a 500% fuel price hike, which also rocketed prices and transportation costs. A stagnant economy, worsened by the centralization of the entire economic resources in the hands of the Junta creates huge disparity in Myanmar’s economic image. With a population of 54.7 million, Myanmar is actually blessed with a large productive force; nevertheless, the unemployment rate under the military junta’s rule reached 18.34 million people in 1998/98 and by 2005 the number had increased by 5%. A wage comparison of workers to lower class soldiers show a striking disproportion. Workers’ wages only experienced an increase of 5000 kyat as opposed to military personnel’s increase of more than 10,000- 16.000 kyat. Within the political sphere, the junta’s government - which calls itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) - controls and bans any mass media and telecommunications that criticize government’s policy.

After gaining its independence in January 4, 1948, the democratic government led by U Nu only lasted a few years before being overthrown by a military coup in 1962. Since then the military regime has carried out a planned economic development strategy named the “Burmese Way towards Socialism” nationalizing all industry except for the agriculture sector. In 1988 a student movement in Yangon, known as the “8888” rebellion, came to the surface to demand the overthrow of the military regime. The student rebellion, which was joined by the people, was repressed by the military; about 3000 students, pro-democracy activists and civilians were killed by the military. In 1990, people’s resistance resurfaced with the National League for Democracy’s electoral win. The NLD won more than 80% of the votes but the election result was annulled by the military, and NLD’s leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi was arrested by the military junta.

The political-economic situation that currently reigns in Myanmar bears some resemblance to the situation in Indonesia under Suharto’s 32-year dictatorial rule. Suharto’s government controlled all political aspects, and did not allow any freedom of union, organisation, or opinion. In the economic sphere, Suharto’s government built an economic kingdom named Soeharto .Inc where all the fruits of economic development could only be enjoyed by Suharto and his cronies. Although there are also some differences, the similarity in experience has become the basis of solidarity between the people of Indonesia and Myanmar. Myanmar military’s tendency to intervene in the political arena strikes a resemblance to the Indonesian military’s character in the past with ‘dual-function’ doctrine (that is, in essence, to be involved not only in military affairs, but also civilian - transl. )

Today the struggle of the people and pro-democracy activists in Myanmar is entering an important stage: whether they will be able to force the junta to release its power or the other way around. The situation is similar to the 1988 rebellion that failed to overthrow the military junta. There are some factors that influence the democratic struggle currently carried out by the pro-democracy activists and the Myanmar people; those are: (1) There has not existed a concrete political leadership to lead the masses. Junta’s dictatorship forced the opposition to carry out an underground struggle. The involvement of the monks in the demonstrations are still within the scope of anti-military junta, in the midst of foreign interests that has been working together with the military junta to exploit the country’s natural resources; (2) With abundant deposit of mineral resources, Myanmar has become the sought-after prize of the neighbouring foreign investor block, especially the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries like Thailand and Singapore which have major investment interests under the military junta. (3) The economic sanction imposed by the US and its allies is not without interest either; the country’s natural wealth is the US’s primary target; (4) Although Myanmar represents all the characteristics of military dictatorship, it falls under the WTO and IMF economic mechanism. Therefore, the economic failure in Myanmar arises from the combination of limited liberalisation and its ruling regime.

The shooting of 9 demonstrators to death by the military junta is an unjustifiable form of atrocity. The peaceful demonstration that involved hundreds of thousands of people represents Myanmar people’s consciousness to achieve a democratic political future. Under severe military repression, we think that the main task of the pro-democracy movement and the people of Myanmar is to topple the military junta and to open as much democratic space for the political freedom and economic sovereignty for the people of Myanmar. This main goal could only be achieved when all pro-democracy forces in Myanmar--student movements, political party (NLD), armed guerillas, monks, workers, and peasants--are able to build a firm and strong united front. This united front will be the main force that will overthrow the junta, as well as carry out and lead the political transition process towards genuine democracy, Popular Democracy.

Therefore, the National Liberation Party of Unity (PAPERNAS) made the following statement:

1. To support the ongoing struggle of the people and the pro-democracy movement of Myanmar, and to call for solidarity action by people’s movement throughout the world for the struggle for democracy in Myanmar

2. The struggle for democracy is fundamental for the democracy movement in Myanmar that is striving to open up more just political space and to establish economic sovereignty. IMF and WTO’s involvement in Myanmar’s economy showed the true character of these two international institutions which have been supporting corrupt and militaristic regimes.

3. Stop the use of force against and arrests of pro-democracy activists in Myanmar. Release all opposition leaders and all political prisoners during the military junta’s rule.

4. International communities and institutions, especially the UN, must use their power to stop the military junta’s use of force. The UN must use its authority to pressure the junta government to open dialogue with the opposition and to release all political prisoners.

5. All Human Rights abusers during the military junta’s rule must be taken to the Human Rights Court to take responsibility for their deeds.

To demand the administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla to:

1. Withdraw the Indonesian Ambassador and diplomatic representation from Myanmar as a form of protest against the military junta, as well as a form of international solidarity commitment based on the upholding of Basic Rights as well as people’s sovereignty. This withdrawal should be done until the military junta stops any use of violence against the monks and the people of Myanmar, and creates a democratic process to form a new government

2. Actively demand ASEAN countries and the international community to get involved in pressuring the junta to stop using any form of violence against the opposition and to hand over its power to a democratic government.

Thus we present our political statement. Thank you,

Jakarta, 28 September 2007

Agus Priyono - Chairperson

Haris Sitorus - Secretary General