CANADIAN URGED FOR SUPPORT ( Kao-Wao ) March 2, 2003

Kao Wao Newsletter

CANADIAN URGED FOR SUPPORT

(Kao-Wao, March 2, 2003)

The Toronto based Mon-Canadian Association requested the Canadian Ambassador to support human rights in Burma.

A statement was sent to Mr. Andrew McAllistor, the Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, who is accredited to Rangoon. The MCA, in the statement, asked Canada in support for Mon literacy and culture in Thailand and Myanmar, to halt human rights violations including land confiscation and the release of all political prisoners.

According to Nai Rotmon, on March 1, 2003, the Mon-Canadians requested the Ambassador, in Ottawa on his way to Bangkok, urging him to consider the worsening social and political situation in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the Burma Watch International held its Annual General Meeting on March 2, 2003 in Edmonton, Canada. The opening speech was given by Jack Freebury; the President of BWI followed by activity reports and financial statement for the past year 2002.

Guest speaker Cham Toik, International Representative of the Mon Unity League, touched the heart of participants by his experience in the Mon freedom movement and national reconciliation.

Burma Watch International was founded in 1989 by Canadians and Burmese to promote public awareness of the social, cultural, political and economic life of the people in Burma and to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in Burma.

The meeting elected Jack Freebury as President and U Than Aung as Vice President of BWI.