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International Symposium on Burma 2009

"The Shwe Gon Daing Declaration:

Gateway to National Reconciliation in Union of Burma" l::"Jv--yJt*~OO ~~:t3 ~t Q OO~foM.r-...O)J!!

2009 ip 11 ~ 23 13 (~ • fjL) 10:00'""-' 16 : 30 ~~f~~ 2 ~~*~iji~" *J?:

November 23,2009, 10:00 ~ 16:30

No (2) Meeting Hall, Sohyo Kaikan, Tokyo

International Symposium on Burma 2009

"The Shwe Gon Daing Declaration:

Gateway to National Reconciliation in Union of Burma" e~Jv--YJ!l!nl~H;::to~t Q OO~fllM~O)Jt!

Contents

1. Background and Purpose of the Symposium

2. Program

3. Profile of Panelist

4. Shwe Gon Daing Declaration

5. List of Participant Organization

6. Acknowledgement

2009 ~ 11 jJ 23 13 (jJ .:f5L) 10:00 "-' 16 : 30 ~~f~ti3 2 ~f*~~~" _]A

November 23,2009, 10:00 ~ 16:30

No (2) Meeting Hall, Sohyo Kaikan, Tokyo

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Background

1. National League for Democracy, made a great move to change the status quo that is Shwe Gon Daing declaration. In the declaration, NLD stated that it intends to participate in the elections if all the political prisoners including the leaders of the NLD were unconditionally released, the provisions of the (2008) Constitution that are not in accord with the democratic principles were amended, and all inclusive free and fair general elections were held under international supervision. The declaration opens a door to the junta to review and revise the constitution without affect on its sense of selfimportanc-e.

2. National League for Democracy proposed in the Shwe-Gon-Daing clearly states that unconditional dialogue participated by the decision makers should be commenced immediately based on the principles of mutual respects and national reconciliation. During the dialogues the issues of provision of equal opportunities for the ethnic nationalities and arrange to recognize the result of the 1990 elections by appro-ving the result of the dialogues at the People's Parliament which is to be formed according to the People's Parliament Election Law. Finally, all the stakeholders will follow cohesively the political course for the future delineated by the agreements of the dialogue as adopted by the People's Parliament.

3. In Japan, the Democratic Party of Japan win this year elections in landslide with the passionate support from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation- RENGO, the strongest backer ofthe Burmese Democratic movement. The historical political shift is in making.

4. The new Prime Minister Honorable Yukio Hatoyama is a strong supporter of the Burmese democracy movement and spoke with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the telephone when she was released from house arrest in 2002.

5. The Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada, speaking with his Burmese counterpart

in Cambodia on Saturday (3rd October 2009), called on Burma's ruling regime to ensure that an . election slated for next year is fair and transparent and includes all stakeholders. Okada said that to ensure a free and fair election, "the Burmese government should release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, before the country holds the elections.

6. The US new administration of President Obama announced its new policy of "direct dialogue" with the Burmese regime on September 28. Washington's new approach was introduced while sanctions imposed on Burma since 1997 are still in place. In essence, the approach can be called a dual policy. The US has made clear that it is in no hurry to lift the sanctions and will look at responses from the Burmese generals.

7. Since ASEAN controversially admitted Burma into their grouping 12 years ago, its "constructive engagement" policy has been seen as a shield for one of the most repressive governments in the world,

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contrary to partially meeting its goal of taming the Burmese generals in terms of human rights violations.

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The Purpose of the Symposium

1. We the Burmese democratic organizations and the strong supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party strongly believe that the "Shwe Gon Daing" declaration is the only gateway to the genuine national reconciliation and democratization of our motherland.

2. Unless until the demand on the "Shwe Gon Daing" declaration is implemented, there will be no national reconciliation and the dream for democratization of our country will be a pie in the sky.

3. For those reasons, we decided to organize a symposium with a panel discussion comprises with; a member of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), the labor minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, a well-known professor known for his expertise in relation between Japan and Burma and a relevant senior official from The Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs with the goal of :

To discuss and brainstorm the content of the "Shwe Gon Daing" declaration.

To share the views on what make the "Shwe Gon Daing" declaration as the only gateway to reach the genuine national reconciliation in our motherland,

To explore how to convince the Japanese government and the international community to acknowledge that the "Shwe Gon Daing" declaration is the only gateway to reach the genuine national reconciliation in Burma,

And to obtain the Japanese government and the international community support to send a clear message to the Burmese military junta that the result of the elections that SPDC has announced to be held in 2010 will not be accepted, if the junta fails to respond properly.

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Programme

09:30-10:00 Registration
Keynote Address
Thant Zin 00, President, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area- Japan Branch)
Greeting Speech
10:00 - 10:50 1. Mizuho Fukushima, 1. State Minister in Charge of Consumer Affairs and Declining Birthrate,
Chairman of Social Democratic party(planning)
2. Mr. Tetsuro Fukuyama, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. HiroyukiNagumo, General Secretary ofJTUC-RENGO
4. Mr. Yoshinori Suematsu, Chairman of Japanese Diet members' in support of democracy in Myanmar
(Burma), Member of House of Representative, Democratic Party of Japan
5. Azuma Konno, General Secretary of Japanese Diet members' in support of democracy in Myanmar
(Burma), Member of House of Councilors, Democratic Party of Japan
Voice Messages from Burma
10:50 -11 :05 1. UWin Tin (NLD, Central Committee Member)
2. U Aye Thar Aung (Secretary of CRPP)
Keynote Lecture
1. Kei Nemoto, Professor, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Sophia University.
11:05-12:30 Panel Discussion (part I), Gateway to National Reconciliation in Union of Burma
1. Khun Myint Tun, Labor Minister, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.
2. Dr. Rachada Dhnadirek, Representative of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
12:30-13:30 Lunch Break
Greeting & Comments
13:30-13:50 1. Ms. Kanae Doi, director Human Rights Watch - Japan
2. Ms. Yuki Akimoto, director Burmainfo
2. Mr. Jason Roshan, Executive Director of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
Panel Discussion (part 11), Gateway to National Reconciliation in Union of Burma
13:50-=-15:15 1. Khun Myint Tun, Labor Minister, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.
2. Dr. Rachada Dhnadirek, Representative of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
Closing Speech
15:15 -15:20 Thant Zin 00, President, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area- Japan Branch)
15:30-16:30 Press Conference Co-ordinators of Ceremony 1. Hisao Tanabe 2. Tin Win

Master of Ceremony 1. Myat Thu 2. Yasuko Yumoto

Languages English, Japanese, Burmese(Simultaneous translation available)

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Profile of Panelists

Asst. Prof. Rachada Dhnadirek, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Rachada Dhnadirek, Ph.D. graduated from Mahidol University, Thailand, with a BA. in Business Administration, International Student Degree Program (lSDP) in 1995. At age of 22, she received an M.Acc. in International Accountancy and Financial Management from Glasgow University and an MA. in Corporate Strategy and Governance, Nottingham University, UK. In 1998, she became a lecturer for the Masters Programme in Public Administration at Mahidol University. During the time of her teaching there, she fmished a Ph.D in International Business from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

Asst. Prof. Dr Rachada decided to join the Thai Democrat Party after 9 years in the teaching profession.

She won the elections in December 2008 and has been a Member of Parliament since then.

Khun Myirit Tun

Khun Myint Tun is a Member of Parliament, elected in 1990 from Thaton. In 1988, he joined the National League for Democracy(NLD) and served as Secretary ofthe Thaton Township and appointed him to the Mon State Organizing Committee and the Central Youth Work Team.

In May 1996, the junta arrested and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for his democratic activities and for possession of a Gene Sharp booklet. On August 1, 2003, the junta released. After his release, he resumed his work with the NLD. He worked as a Member of the Mon State Organizing Committee, where he was responsible for coordinating with NLD Head Quarters staff and served as a liaison with various etnnic groups and the Committee Representing the People's Parliament(CRPP).

In July 2007, Khun Myint Tun arrived on the Thai-Burmese border where he joined the National Council of the Union of Burma and serves on the Daily Work Consultation Committee. He is a member of the Members of Parliament Union(MPU) where he serves as Joint Secretary. He is also a Central Committee Member of the National League for Democracy-Liberated Areas(NLD-LA).

Mr. Kei Nemoto

Professor of the Modem History of Burma in the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Sophia University, Tokyo. His main research interests are the history of Burmese nationalism, Anglo-Burmans' historical memories ofWWTI, the thoughts and activities of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the history of post-war Japan-Burma relations.

Main Publications in English include 'Neither pro-British nor pro-Japanese: how the Burme;se political elite reacted under British and Japanese rule', in co-edited by Hugo Dobson and Kosuge Nobuko, Japan and Britain at War and Peace, Sheffield Centre for Japanese Studies, 2009; Reconsidering the Japanese Military Occupation in Burma 1942-45( editor, ILCAA, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, 2007); 'The concepts of Dobama (Our Burma) and Thudo-bama (Their Burma) in Burmese nationalism, 1930-48', in Journal of Burma Studies 5 (2000); 'Burma: occupation, collaboration, resistance and independence', in co-edited by G. Krebs and C. Oberlander, 1945 in Europe and Asia, Iudicium Verlag (Munchen, Germany), 1997.

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{} , " ,~ I,Ni!tlpnal League for Democracy ',~ 5'" 1· ,(:~~ .) 9~ West Shwegondaing Street

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AprU 29~ 2009

Sh~egond8i:n& Dcclaratiol1,.

We the memb¢rs~f the National League for Democracy (NLO) including the Ceotra~ Executive Committee, eepresentstl ves of State and Division organ lzatioual . . " Ott· . " th··.. MA: .1:.._: .. f p' li ~ . ,... t- 'irii"t still s· ... nding' with the NLD comml ees, .... ",m Ut;;;r~ 0 .' ar t~me:n e...... ~.. , . ~ .,.... . .,

repseseraatives of'lhe Centrnl WQmen~s Affairs Committeei representatives of the Youth Affaires Implementation Committee gathered on the 2St11 and 29~ of Aprl] 2009 In the meeting hall of the Head Quarter of the NLO on West Shwegondalng Street and held discussions On the politi.caland organ izational situations and the analytical report regarding: the Consiunion with the aim 10 resolve all the political impas-se in strlving to

boo. Ild n," tha U ion - f U- ... rma as a de "', ocratle state in ace rdance with the inspl ration of

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all the people.

This Shwegondaing Declaration is issued to inform the people as the agreement of the majority was obtained through these discussions fOf the plan to create a fair climate for the evolvement of a dialogue which is the best means for resol ving the above i mpasse,

The ~~Iil.iliclieves -that the current polltical problem~ facilJS, th~,~oy,ntQ:""s~sh as the irnmooiateand uneonditional release of all thepclitica! ptisonei'$ irlcludrng H;Tin Oo, Daw ~ng San Suu Ky •. ; review of the Censtitution: establishment of a. genuine Union based on the principle of equality for all the ethnic nationalities; recognition in some ways of the result of the 1'990 general election: are the main Issuea to be resolved immediately for the bencJit of'thecoantry and the prople.

The stands of the League are: ...

(a) Unconditional Release of Ali the Political Prisoners inctudlng U Tin 00 and Oaw Aung San Su Kyi

(b) Review of the D'raft Constitution (2008)

A State Cons.tttution based 00 the democratic principles is required to establish a democratic, state. The not yet in force Constitution (2008) of the State Peace: and Development Council coraalns provisions which are not in accord witb democratic principles. Therefore the emergence of a Constitution which is acceptable to all the people including the ethnic national hies is urgently required.

(c) 'Organization .

In this Union of Burma where all the ethnic ri'ationaUties live together, a unity based on the principles of equal opportunity and mutual good will must be

. sta b .1···I!o·h·· d, 0- e . • e de.' ' ac ~ I-a a fl' ourish 0. nly on such a fertile ground.

e a .1..7:.e.. .mun. .mo r<f.l.Y '" n I~. H. . .

FurthermQrc1 all the politicalparlies must have 'the'~(Hn to org~,ni7.e. Therefore, the offices' of the St:!lel Divisional and Township Organi.zation Committees which were closed and sealed since May ,31 2003, said to be a temporary measure, should be reopened immedi ately together with those of the parties of ethnic nationalities.

(d) Recognition of the result oftl.e Multi Party Democracy General Election (1990)

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(e)

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At the present ;recognitiOil in some way of the People'$ Parliament, which is the outcome of the 1990 elections, is urgently needed in accordance with the Section 3 of the Peop-Ie's Parliament Electlcn law_ Only then the! democratic traditions can be maintained. Otherwise the State Peace and Development would seem to be

. breaching ~fJeir own laws and regu lari onS enacted by themsel ves, Political Dhilogue

The NLD has been constantly strivll'Jlg for finding solution through political dialogue since 1988. Daw Aung San Su Kyi, the General Secretary of tho NLD has candidly stated the fact that she can work with flexible approach according to the politiea] necessity as follows.-

nWe have repeatedly stated that the NLD would neg~iate flexJbly to get beneficial outcomes for the people of a urma. Nevertheless such dialogues: should 'J'Jot aim for the good of the N~O: norl$l1ltOuld they ain~ _for the be:nefit of the autborili~. Only the interests of the people of Burma should be targeted/"

Therefore! the N LD requests aga~n with pure intention [hal the d la 1 ogues that can reSolve all the probl ems be carried out without fall, The agenda of' the dialogue: envisaged. by the Le(igue is as followsc-

(1) . Unconditional dialogue. pantcipated by the decision makersshpuld be commenced immediately based on the principles of rnu~ual respects and natiQn~d reconci I tat Ion.

(2) During the diadogues the issues. of provision or equal C)ppOrtuo;Hes for tbe ethnic nai-ionalities~ the uncondirional release of all political prisoners includLog U Tin 00 and Oaw Aung San Su rK~"i: review of the Constitution i (tOOS); reooffiltionin some \\ray of the People's Parliament which is the result. of 1990 election; issues of the elections of the fiJ\ture: development of the living condition

of the poop le ett~ shall be considered.- , .

(3) To arrange to recogn ize the result of the ~990 el ections by apprQvl ng the result of the dialogues at the People" s Pari iameut which is to be formed according to the People's ParUament EiI'ectl(p.('l Law,

(4.).A.H, t,be stake ,hOlders to fo;ro,W unite?ly ,l,he p,olittca~ course for thF .,fut~~ delln~ated by the agreements 0 f th~ d ialogue as adopted by the People 's Parllament,

AttitJ.«le towards the Possible Future EJe:ction$

The NLO firmly beHelves that endllring political stability and the deveJopment of the q(rtJntry could be achieved on1y Iby resolving th¢ fundamental problems mentioned above.

The People shan be info,rmed what, willbe its stend if lheSta~ Peaceand ~Y.ell.opme:nt Counc.iL.~uJtilatern:U)r hold· upcoming' elecuon a:t-;:thdi-f" own arrangement. wuhout C:Oflsider[n~l{) reselve throu~ d'al?Cue.

The teague accepts that elections, are th'e landmarks to be passed ~n the journey to demqcracy. The NLD wUl not abandcn the struggle for democracy. The I league

will stand by the people in all circumstances. .

Therefore if the State Peace and Development Council unilaterally hold possible upcoming elections wUh their own plan and if:,.

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(I) AU the political prisoneri including the 'leaders of the NLD were unconditi onally rei eased,

(2) The provisions of the (2008) Constitution which are not i'n accord with the: democratic pr,incipics were amended,

(3) AU incJusive free and fair general election we~ .. held under

interi1ational supervision; .

The National League for Democracy, through this Shwegondalag Declaratbm, states that, antidpating for tbe real ization of the benefit of the whole people, it intends ~o parltC;i pate in the elections only after gravely considering as a speclal case and after studying the coming Party Registration Act and the Laws relating to the Elecrlons,

Asper the resolution made at the mct'!ti ng of the Central Executi ve Comm ittee Held on 29-4..()9

C.E.C N.L.O

Rangoon

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List of Burmese Participant Organization

(1) National League for Democracy(LiberatedArea)Japan Branch)(NLD(LA)JB) (2) Burma Office Japan(BOJ)

(3) League for 'Democracy in Burma(LDB)

(4) Democratic Party for New Society-Japan Branch(DPNS-JPB) (5) Association of United Nationalities(AUN)

(6) Chin National Community(CNC-Japan)

(7) Punnyagari Mon National Society(PMNS-Japan) (8) Arakan League for Democracy(ALD(Exile-Japan)

(9) Shan Nationalities for Democracy-Japan(SND-Japan)

(10) Shan State Nationalities for Democracy-Japan(SSND-Japan) (11) Palaung National Society(PNS-Japan)

(12) Federation of Workers Union of the Burmese Citizen in Japan(FWUBC) (13) Federation of Trade Union Burma(FTUB)

(14) Hotd and RestaUrant Workers' Union ofBurma(HRWUB) (15) Aaharasazaung

(16) Karenni(Kayah) National Society(KNS-Japan)

(17) Pa-O Nationalities Liberation Society(Japan)(PNLS-Japan) (18) Naga National Society(NNS-Japan)

(19) Karen National League(KNL-Japan)

(20) Karen National Union-Japan(KNU-Japan))

(21) Burma's Refugees Serving Association(Japan)(BRSA) (22) Democratic Federation ofBurma(DFB)

(23) Kachin National Organization, Japan(KNO-Japan) (24) Save Burma

(25) Burmese Women Union

(26) All Burma Federation of Student Unions(FAC)(ABFSU-FAC)

List of Japanese Participant Organization

(1) Japanese Trade Union Confederation JTUC-RENGO . (2) PFB (people's Forum on Burma)

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