Over at Fifty Viss, Aung Htin Kyaw’s terrific post summarises the range of organisations that have been trotted out in The New of Light of Myanmar to denounce the failed UN Security Council resolution on Burma. For some context, I discussed one of these tame groups, the Kachin Development and Security Army, in a post last week.
Aung Htin Kyaw has helpfully tallied articles that feature 25 different organisations including ceasefire groups and industry lobbies. The list includes bodies like the Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers’ Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the PaO National Organization and the Myanmar Theatrical Association. The full list is worth a look.
Update (24.01.2007):
Aung Kyaw has updated his list to include another 11 groups bringing the new total to 36. I don’t imagine that The New Light has run out of “partners in peace and development” to provide statements quite yet. Will they make it to 50? 100?
2 responses so far ↓
1 Burmese student // Jan 24, 2007 at 1:12 am
Does anyone have any more information on Political Economy Study Group? This is the first time I heard about this group, but their reference to Communisty Party sounds pretty strange to me. Can you please share? Thanks.
2 Nicholas Farrelly // Jan 24, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Hi Burmese student,
I am just as puzzled: I was also unaware of this group before its statement. Of course, the creation, renaming and refolding of \”civil society\” groups (or whatever people want to call them) is hardly novel. In their statement the \”Political Economy Study Group\” wrote:
\”Myanmar has no social class that is strong enough to serve as the foundation of democracy nor a consolidated and strong political party. Only the Tatmadaw is an institution that has the fine traditions, discipline, obedience, consolidated strength and endurance, and that is powerful to the degree of safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes. Besides, it is a truth nobody can deny.\”
If anybody know anything more about this group, or any of the other more obscure organisations that have been making statements, then please shoot me an e-mail. I would be delighted to get some more of this information out on New Mandala.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
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