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Burma/Myanmar is at present on the verge of collapse and disintegration, and at the same time belongs to the ‘ Countries at Risk of Socio-Political Instability ‘, which in turn would increase the regional instability and security. It is ruled, if not ruined, by the successive illegitimate military dictators for almost 50 years. Incompetency, mismanagement, corruption, non-support of the major population, lack of good governance, lack of freedom and democracy, and lack of political will to country’s developments are the main reasons to become a failed state established by the Burmese military dictatorship. Successive resolutions of the UN General Assembly, UN Commission on Human Rights, European Parliament, Congresses, amnesty international, Human Rights Watches, etc. have clearly drawn attention to arbitrary detentions, extra-judiciary killings, rape, torture, large number of political prisoners, abuse of women’s and children’s rights, child soldiers, ethnic cleansings and complete lack of freedom and democracy. All sincere efforts made by the United Nations and international community to engage in the social, economic and political developments in Burma have failed.

According to recent reports of the World Food Programme, Global Fund and UN country representatives as well as UNAIDS,

- the country is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis,

- rapidly deteriorating economic problems give rise to 75% of the population living below the poverty line,

- HIV/AIDS is rampant throughout the country, while more than a million people are suffering from the disease, in which 2% pregnant women are infected with HIV,

- generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic becoming out of control and Burma being the major source of spreading the disease to neighbouring countries with catastrophic consequences,

- the public health situation of the Burmese population of over 50 millions is extremely precarious, since HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria are left unchecked, in which TB rate in Burma is the highest worldwide, whereas Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Burma with over 70% of the population at risk,

- more than 60% of Burmese children are suffering from acute malnutrition with infant mortality rate of about 200 per every 1000 live births,

- only 20%, if not less, of the students who started primary school graduated in Burma,

- rapid deforestation rate of unlimited exploitation of forests causes increased frequency of floods and landslides in the country,

- expanding the strength of the Burmese army to 500.000 soldiers, including more than 70.000 child soldiers are the indications that Burma is in danger of collapsing back into civil war, since many of the Burma’s cease-fire agreements with the ethnic armed groups were seriously in danger of unravelling, which would increase instability and insecurity in the country and as well in the region,

- increased deployment of SPDC armed forces in areas of ethnic nationalities and persecution of civilians, which result in a massive displacement of people and exodus of refugees into neighbouring countries, and

- increased intimidation, harassment, politically motivated arrests and restrictions imposed on members of the legitimate NLD party and other pro-democracy parties that won the multiparty elections in May 1990.

It is now time that the United Nations’ senior leadership should review all options and to come up with a greater coherence in the UN’s response to Burma’s military regime. Given the fact that a home-grown national reconciliation process in Burma is unlikely and the SPDC national convention is not all inclusive (of the major political parties), it is time for the UN Security Council to address the emergency situation in Burma.

In commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations and of the International Day of Peace we, the Burmese living in Europe under the banner of the Forum of Burmese in Europe ( FBE ), strongly and collectively urge the United Nations and the international community that

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan should visit Burma with the mandate of the Security Council without fail as early as possible but not later than November 2005 to try and revive the UN’s efforts to help bring positive political change to Burma,

- during his visit the UN Secretary-General should meet and discuss the fate of Burma with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD top leadership, the ethnic leaders and Generals Than Shwe and Maung Aye,

- the UN Secretary-General should urge the military leaders publicly to free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners unconditionally and immediately,

- the national convention and hence the roadmap is only acceptable when the representatives of the winning political parties are allowed to participate and decide freely in the framework of mutual compromised guidelines and it is convened under the monitor of the United Nations or of its delegated organisation,

- the UN Security Council should address the emergency situation in Burma as soon as possible in order to protect the people of Burma, and

- the UN Secretary-General should urge the Security Council to take appropriate measures against the military rulers, if and when the recommendations are not met within the defined frame period.

We look very much forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Nwe Aung Postal address:

FBE coordinator Germany Postfach 1738

Fax +49 2173 907334 D-40742 Langenfeld

Email < NweAung@aol.com > Germany

On behalf of the FBE country coordinators

The Forum of Burmese in Europe (FBE) represents a net work of Burmese people across Europe and is advocating for democracy, social justice and human rights in Burma. The FBE strongly rejects the military dictatorial rule in Burma and has been working closely together with the democratic forces around the world.

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