ENC ON ITS LOBBY MISSION TO THE UNITED STATES
June 9, 2007—Washington DC: The Ethnic Nationalities Council of Union of Burma (ENC) is on its lobby mission here in Washington DC to seek the United States support for its struggle for democracy and federalism in the Union of Burma. The ENC delegation held a series of meetings with Congressmen, Senators, and high ranking officers from State Department and other departments and organizations.
The delegation included ENC top leaders Mr. Harn Yawnghwe, senior advisor, Dr. Lian Sakhong, General Secretary, Saw David Taw, Joint Secretary, and Dr. Sui Khar, a Chin representative, Saya Naing, a Mon representative, U Hla Phe, an Arakan representative, Naw K’nyaw Paw, a Karen representative, and Moe Moe Aung, a Karenni representative.
They covered a wide range of issues at the meeting with seven congressmen including Joseph Pitts, and five senators including Richard Lugar and Edward M. Kennedy.
In an informal meeting held with the Burmese Community in National Capital area, Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), says the NCGUB believes that ethnic rights and democracy is equally important right from here in the process of re-establishing federal based democracy in the Union of Burma. “We welcome you (ENC) and support your mission”, says the Prime Minister.
Saw David Taw, one of the leading team members says we have come here to seek the American Government continually reorganization and support for the tripartite-dialogue in Burma as a mean to solve the country political crisis which is supported by the United Nations resolution.
In his talk, Mr. Harn Yawnghwe, Director of Euro-Burma Office focuses on why the international community role is very important to bring about change in Burma . When asked if he believes we [democratic forces] can win China and Russia support, he says “we do not see China and Russia as our enemy because of they vetoed Burma agenda at United Nations Security council early this year. But we see it as a chance to develop our friendship between us, and we know that there is a way to get support from them. We will continue to work with them”.
Dr. Lian Sakhong, General Secretary of ENC and co-chair of Federal Constitution Drafting Committee says that many people misunderstand ENC is only for Ethnic Nationalities. In reality, ENC is working for all stake holders in the Union of Burma for restoration of Federalism.
A delegation is scheduled to have a meeting on 11 June with Ibrahim A Gambari, United Nations Under-Secretary- General and Special Adviser on Burma at the United Nations Headquarters in New York . They will also be meeting with some international organizations and participate in informal briefing at UN in the following days.
The Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) was originally established in August 2001. It was entrusted with the task of fostering unity and cooperation between all ethnic nationalities in preparation for a ‘Tripartite Dialogue” and a transition to democracy in Burma.
By Elaisa Vahnie
Chinland Guardian
