Burma

Re “No Longer Burma, Still Tyranny” and “Burmese Press Their Cause Here,” March 11:

Your staff writers have boldly revealed the truth about the sorrowful state of affairs in Burma, now renamed by its dreadful rulers as Myanmar. One of the goals of Burmese expatriates is to increase international awareness of Burma’s problems--especially the plight of the Burmese people under a most notorious and ruthless military regime.

To some, the situation in Burma may seem to have improved a little as a result of the release of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest after nearly six years and the opening up of the country for foreign investment and tourism to earn foreign exchange.

In fact, there has been no change for the better. The repressive military generals are refusing to have a dialogue with our democratic leaders like Suu Kyi, and are pressing for a new constitution, in which the army wants a permanent role in political leadership. The generals have forgotten the fact that the only authority they have emanates from the barrels of their guns.

We should continue the political pressures on this pariah regime until the military releases all political prisoners, allows Suu Kyi and democratic leaders to freely participate in politics without hindrance; and undertakes genuine democratic reforms.

U HLA SHWE

General Secretary

Federation for Human Rights and Democracy in Burma