The UN Security Council has decided the first time in history to be briefed on the situation in Burma.

There are different echos among the people and the leaders of Burma. (boxun.com)

Normal Burmese

Normal Burmese believe that U.S. has NOW changed his "lip service" on Burma to a US priority .

Too Optimistic Burmese

Some too optimistic Burmese even expect a US-led UN invasion to remove Senior General Than Shwe a la Saddam Hussein".

US Campaign for Burma

The US Campaign for Burma ,a grassroots organization of Americans and Burmese dissidents-in-exile working to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma, said that it is a Major Step Forward,

"We are grateful.......the decision is especially significant not only because it is the first time in history the Council has agreed to a briefing on Burma, but because it had been widely presumed that China and Russia would refuse to participate. Instead, all 15 members of the Council agreed by consensus".

NCGUB led by Premier Dr. Sein Win

the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) led by Premier Dr. Sein Win is disappointed .It sees the UNSC Briefing only 'Small Step Forward 'toward resolving the problems in Burma,

"since Burma is not on the main agenda and no formal resolution will be forthcoming".

Harn Yawnghwe

Harn Yawnghwe, Director, Euro-Burma Office, Brussels, warned people not to expect too high.

"Wrong expectations can lead to wrong decisions by all sides and hundred if not thousands of lives can be needlessly lost in Burma".

According to Harn,

1.The UN Security Council briefing on Burma will not solve Burma's problems unless and until there is a viable alternative to the current dictatorship.

2.The US has acted on Burma by bringing it before the Security Council.But calling for a briefing is very different from calling for a resolution. This does not signal a change in US policy. Burma is still not of strategic interest to the US, and is unlikely to be for some time.

"Do we want to see the US intervening in Burma? Recent examples around the world are not encouraging" Harn said, "The best option for Burma as a whole and for all its people, is for the leaders in Burma to act in a coordinated manner. It should now be very clear to the generals that Burma is moving towards a crisis."

In talking about acting to bring about a change in Burma, Harn points out,

"I am not advocating a people's uprising as some of my colleagues are.

In my opinion, this will only lead to chaos and instability, and endanger people,especially Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I am saying this because the Burma Army will have no compunction about shooting unarmed civilians.The ensuing unrest will also scare Burma's neighbours. They will quickly support another military dictatorship to stabilize the situation. This will be done before the UN can be mobilized".

Sai Wansai

Sai Wansai, General Secretary of Shan Democratic Union, believes the issue won't be discussed formally and there won't be resolution to carry out. In other words, it will be shelved.

"But I must say, half a loaf is better than no bread. At least we gain more exposure internationally and could be used as a stepping stone for more concrete actions in the future" Sai Wansai emphasized.

Henry Soe Win

Henry Soe Win of Democracy for Burma, wrote to Sai Wansai as follows:

"No matter the negligence of UN hesitate to take the issues on Burma, we are determined to continue our struggle. The time is now to change, the country under regime is getting no where only people are suffering in all aspects of health & commodity inflation and corruption is still the ways of living there to survive. Kyats is like the paper money and people cannot afford to survive these days. Now it all depend on the people to take matters in their own hands, to take revenge and topple the regime".

Loong Seng Suk

After reading what Sai Wansai and Henry Soe Win had written, Loong Seng Suk said, "We might get democracy and federalism as a new year gift to the Burmese people by the international community. Who knows?".

( Maung Chan is the distributor and main responsible person of "S.H.A.N. & Burma's News Published by Burma's Chinese" ) (boxun.com)