UN Chief Not Likely to Achieve Much with Visit: Win Tin

By THE IRRAWADDY

Win Tin, a prominent member of Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), said he and the party would welcome a visit by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but added that he had strong reservations about what the UN head could hope to achieve in Burma.

“I am not sure what he could accomplish,” said Win Tin, a senior member of the NLD and one of the country’s longest-serving political prisoners, who was released from Insein Prison in September after serving 19 years.

“The government plays with the time factor and it knows very well how to manipulate the UN,” Win Tin added.

Ban, who visited Burma several weeks after a deadly cyclone slammed into southern Burma in May, has said that he was contemplating a return to Burma in December. However, his visit is now in doubt.

“I understand that he doesn’t want to leave Burma empty handed,” said Win Tin, acknowledging Ban’s reluctance to make a return trip later in the year.

Ban recently said that he was frustrated by the Burmese regime’s failure to take meaningful steps to achieve national reconciliation. He also called for the release of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and urged the regime to makes its “road map” to civilian rule more inclusive.

Ban’s statement earned him some rare praise from the NLD, but it fell far short of what many in the opposition expect from the UN.

“The pressure must step up,” said a senior NLD member.

Meanwhile, the NLD is also coming under criticism from some of its own members. Last Thursday, around 109 youth members of the party resigned after complaining that the aging leadership had excluded them from the decision-making process.

This was followed by more bad news, with reports earlier this week that NLD Secretary U Lwin, who is 86 years old, had suffered a stroke, and that the party chairman, Aung Shwe, 91, was also ill with influenza.

Win Tin, who visited U Lwin yesterday, said that the party secretary seemed to be making a quick recovery and was eating well.

Win Tin also noted that his involvement in the party has been limited since his release.

“Since I was released from prison, I haven’t attended any regular meetings at the NLD headquarters,” said Win Tin. However, he said that Aung Shwe had welcomed him back to the party.

“I am looking forward to holding regular meeting at the NLD so that we can make policy statements,” said Win Tin.