Workshop on Sustainable Solution for Burma's Crisis and Regional Co-operation

Agenda

Registration

Morning Section

- Welcome by Dr. Tint Swe, Burmese Member of Parliament [MPU]

- "Freedom" songs by Burmese performers

- Keynote Speeches by:

Indian perspective (1): 

Ms Nirmala Deshpande, Member of Parliament(RS), Association of Peoples of Asia (APA), Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for      Democracy in Burma

Indian perspective (2):

Shri AR Shaheen, Member of Parliament (LS), Kashmir ASEAN perspective: Congressman Mario "Mayong" Joyo Aguja, Citizens' Action Party, Philippines

-         Brief update on the situation in Burma By Mr. Ramjeet Verma (BCI)

Evening Section

- Chaired by Dr. Shambu Srivastava, former MP Janata Dal United party

- Burma between India and China

By Renaud Egreteau, research fellow, International relations, Centre De Sciences Humanines

- Arrival of three Burmese students who have just completed 100-hour hunger strike against growing relation between India and SPDC Ko Ngwe Toe, Ko San Lon and Ko Soe Min and supporters from Chin Students Union (CSU) are praised and honored by all participants

- Discussion on workshop statement

Parliamentarians from India, ASEAN and Burma

·       (AIPMC): Congressman Mario "Mayong" Joyo Aguja, Citizens' Action Party, Philippines

·       MPU-Burma: Dr. Tint Swe and U Than Sein

·       (BCI): U Nyunt Hla and Ko Zin Naing

Vote of thanks by organizer and supporter

- Statement approval

Statement

ROLE OF BURMA'S NEIGHBORS

IN PROMOTING NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRACY IN BURMA

March 31, 2006 – New Delhi

The Indian Parliamentary Forum for Democracy in Burma, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, the Members of Parliament Union of Burma (MPU), in solidarity with Burma Campaign India (BCI), politicians and academics from India, and democracy and ethnic representatives from Burma, declare the following statement,  

Welcoming the first-of-ever meeting between parliamentary bodies from the neighboring countries of Burma to discuss important issues regarding lack of democratic progress in Burma and its implications to the neighboring countries;

Recognizing that the peaceful and democratic changes in Burma is essential to sustained peace and prosperity in the region, as democratic Burma historically is always a true asset to regional stability;

Noting with serious concerns that the political and economic situations in Burma have profound implications to peace and security in the region through non-traditional security threats such as drug menace, refugee outflows, HIV/AIDS epidemics, illegal immigration and human trafficking;

Further noting that aggressive pursuit of Burma's precious resources including natural gas, teak and minerals, followed by forceful diplomacy to secure the access and passageway of exploration, production and transportation of these resources, are leading to a potentially explosive regional competition for scarce and strategic resources;

Recalling the courageous role of Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in championing non-violent struggle for peaceful change in the country, and her continuing detention deprives the only hope for reconciliation and peace in Burma;

Appreciating the initiative, the special announcement of 12th February 2006 made by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in offering a fair and realistic proposal for convening the parliament that could work hand in hand with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in agreeing and implementing various transitional arrangements;

Reaffirming the commitments of South Asian and Southeast Asian communities to promote caring societies by addressing the obstacles in Burma, which impede the larger goal of the regions and their relations with the rest of the international community - 

Hereby, the participants of the conference call upon the parliaments of India and the ASEAN to: -

i) review the existing cooperation between their respective governments and SPDC particularly in the areas of trade and investment cooperation by checking the impact of such cooperation on the livelihood of civilian populations, sustainable development of natural resources and marginalization of fundamental reforms in Burma;

ii) urge their respective governments in two regions, while reassuring national sovereignty and integrity of Burmese borders, to utilize every avenue of diplomatic channels in insisting the SPDC to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, and to begin the reconciliation process at home;

iii) recommend their respective governments to explore any regional mechanisms, such as ASEAN plus two (ASEAN + China + India), ASEAN Regional Forum, IPO and ASEAN Dialogue Partners, in mobilizing regional efforts in promoting peaceful inclusive change in Burma, and perhaps, by asking the ASEAN governments to begin such initiative by no later than the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers;

iv) support the efforts of the United Nations at the UN Security Council level in undertaking its efforts in human rights promotion, refugee protection and humanitarian engagements while renewing its initiatives on mediating the process of reconciliation and reconstruction in Burma;

v) take the initiative, as front line states neighboring Burma, to hold a Special Inter-parliamentary Conference for National Reconciliation and Democratic Restoration in Burma as a part of the continuing dialogue involving parliamentarian friends of Burma around the world;

vi) championing opportunities for and encouraging the initiatives of non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and civil society organizations from the regions to establish people-to-people support and empowerment for the Burmese who are struggling to restore democracy in Burma.