Total and Chevron are not alone in enriching the Burmese junta, while people starve
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - The NGO EarthRights International has launched a serious accusation against the big energy companies Total and Chevron, accused of enriching the military junta in Burma with funds and of exploiting the local population. It amounts to 4.83 billion U.S. dollars in capital hidden by the Burmese leadership in two offshore banks in Singapore. The NGO also denounces the practice of forced labour, murder and harassment on the population affected by the implementation of the Yadana gas pipeline that, from Myanmar, conveys natural gas to Thailand.
We publish the analysis of Tint Swe, a member of the Council of Ministers of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) composed of refugees from Myanmar after the 1990 elections won by the National League for Democracy and never acknowledged by the junta . Fled to India in 1990, since 21 December 1991 he lives in New Delhi, and is a member of the NCGUB where he holds the post of information officer for South Asia and East Timor.
Democracy or humanitarian projects are humiliated when they are dealing with Myanmar. Everything is politics. Politics is money. This is what most ignorant Burmese, lately, have experienced. But they must also be patient, to let the foreign governments and organizations learn something more about the true face of the military junta. Many accuse them of only highlighting the bad side of the generals.
The movement for democracy in Myanmar did not have the right means to speak to the world of 3 thousand deaths during the riots of 1988. Thanks to camera phones, it was different for the revolt of the monks in 2007. However, the media are still ineffective in influencing the majority of foreign governments. The harsh reactions and statements show strong tones, while pressures towards the generals of the Burmese army remain futile.
Within the UN Security Council, it is clear the right of veto exercised by China and Russia [on sanctions]. Moreover, there are many other invisible powers that work behind the scenes. Economic interests, energy, security, arms trafficking and drugs are far more important than moral issues: democracy, human rights and humanitarian aid.
The occasional visitors, who spend a couple of weeks in tourist centres such as Pagan, Inlay and beaches, go home and tell how sweet the smile of the Burmese people is, and how picturesque the landscapes. The common people are driven to think that everything is as usual in Myanmar. These commentators do not have access to the wretched dinner table of those living in towns and satellite villages, they do not know the hardships of those who, from the cities of origin, face long journeys to reach the most remote prisons in the areas of the country where their loved ones are held for their struggle for democracy.
Nobody criticizes the lack of democracy, because the generals are viewed as good guys able to hide secret agreements. And the results are the birth of the nuclear program, the secret tunnel and dollars in the energy sector. What was once called "the rice fields of Asia”, is still blessed by God with natural resources, after two decades, Myanmar is still unable to emerge from the lowest position among developing countries. But look at the video of the "diamond" wedding of the first daughter (of chief general Than Shwe), turn your gaze from the unnecessary development of the capital Naypyiday, to listen to the Burmese-language radio, the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and Democratic Voice of Burma. Those who really need honest-to-date information and news from the inside, just need to translate RSS feeds of these radios. If your newspapers continues to defend the policy of [the junta] and the approach of your governments, then it means that maybe you are a bit 'blinded.
The truth is that Myanmar is a desperately poor country, while the regime is extremely rich. Health and education levels are at a minimum, military spending at a maximum. Drugs and the black market far exceeds what the government reveals to the public on the economy.
The report published by EarthRights International, about 4.8 billion U.S. dollars paid by two of the largest oil companies in the world is a plus. It is clear that companies in the first instance, should deny any wrongdoing. Multinationals such as Total - Under the pressure of public opinion - should change their attitude and compensate people for the violation of human rights and labour standards. There are many companies from different countries, where neither democracy nor the public can be of help. Banks in Singapore and South Korean companies are just one example. Not to mention the Chinese and Indian companies.
In the United States there are joint efforts of politicians, information systems and activists who would benefit from removal of American businessmen from Myanmar. The secret plots and the invisible hands have always played a role in history. Not all, however, have been successful. Poor Burmese, who have yet to wait for tens of years.
(with the collaboration of Nirmala Carvalho)
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