The leaders of Kachin, Karen and Rohingya welcome the unconditional release of Nobel Peace laureate and pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from 19 months of house arrest in Burma on 6 May 2002, said in their respective press statements.
“We, the KIO, are releasing a statement supporting tripartite dialogue and we will continue to assist the ongoing dialogue between Suu Kyi and the ruling junta,” said Col Zaw Seng, representative of KIO’s office in Thailand. “We have a policy to participate in the tripartite dialogue to help solve the country’s political problems,” he said.

“We, the Karen National Union (KNU), welcome the unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest by the SPDC military regime after 17 months of detention and secret talks, said the KNU press release. “There is no doubt that the international pressure, especially by the European Union and the United States, which have been adopting a variety of sanctions, as well as the efforts of UN Special Envoy Razali Ismail, whose role in brokering the necessary talks, was instrumental,” the press release added.

“However, we must not forget that the Burmese military regime is one of the most intractable dictatorships in the world. It is still early to say whether the move was simply aimed to get a temporary relief from the international pressure or a real change of attitude on the part of the military regime,” it further said.

The KNU further urged the SPDC military regime to declare a nationwide cease-fire and reinstate freedom of assembly and speech in order to facilitate the ethnic nationalities to freely meet and consult for the formulation of a common policy essential for the initiation of the “Tripartite Dialogue” for the resolution of all problems by political means.

“We reiterate that it is pleasure to welcome the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD),” said Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) in a press release. “But any positive changes that translate the hopes and aspiration of the people of Burma will only be possible through a meaningful dialogue with the representatives of the all non-Burman ethnic nationalities,” the statement further said.

“It is to be mentioned that, unlike other people in Burma, the serious problems being faced by the Rohingyas of Arakan have distinct characters which need to be redressed, with human rights consideration, on the principle of parity, justice and equality,” it further said.

“We are deeply grateful to international community for its endeavour for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In this connection, the contribution of Malaysia with Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, as an ASEAN country, and specially the untiring efforts of the UN special envoy Tan Sri Razali Ismail, who brokered the release, is worthy of the highest praise”, the statement also said.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that the dialogue would continue for now between her and the government, but it would expend in future to include ethnic minority groups, according to U Khun Htum Oo, leader of the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD). The Shan Democratic Union, the umbrella organisation of Shan exiled group, has called for an “all inclusive wider participation” in the on going talks in Rangoon in order to work out a durable solution, reports the Irrawaddy News Magazine.

” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release should not be looked at as a major breakthrough for democracy in Burma. There remain over thousand political prisoners and hostilities against minority peoples. The secret talk (between Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta) has just passed the confidence building phase and political dialogue is yet to come”, said the Burma pro-democracy activists in India in a statement.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the NLD said on May 7, “ I am very greatful for the role that UN has played and what Mr. Razali has done. I am cautiously optimistic. Most of the changes over the past 18 months have benefited the NLD but it is not for NLD but for the people that we are struggling for freedom,” she said.

“He has been very helpful in giving his thoughts and opinions on what is going on in the world and what should happen,” said Col. Hla Min, a military spokesman. “He has done it in such a friendly way that both sides could be receptive to his advice,” he further said.

Retired Malaysian envoy Razali Ismail has been widely credited with playing a pivotal role in advancing Burma’s reconciliation process with his low-key, non-confrontational approach over the past two years. But, despite Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest, it will be some time before Razali’s diplomacy can be judged — he defines success as the holding of a free and fair general election, reports FEER.

While freedom for Daw Aung Suu Kyi is a major achievement for the people of Burma, democracy activists around the world recognise that it will be an uphill task before free election are held in Burma. Still many are hoping that Mr. Razali will be the man to help bring about an amicable settlement for the people, reports the New Straits Time.

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