Organizing committee: comprises five 88-Gen students- Thein Htay, Thaung Win, Min Lwin and Thein Tin Aung
Founded: November 2009 Group History: The Burma Affairs Forum is a pro-democracy group formed by a former political prisoner and 88 student leader that aims to promote more dialogue among democratic groups in Burma as well as with different political groups and the military which it accepts as a permanent institution of the state. It has claimed its support for Aung San Suu Kyi and reiterates the request to release political prisoners.
Basic Principle:
Efforts for Negotiation
Reactions
Most opposition groups are unsure about the effectiveness of the forum as it is not possible to speak freely about politics inside Burma. As a result many are also suspicious about the motives of the organisers and links with the military government.
A preliminary meeting for the forum will be held in January 2010 for greater cooperation among pro-democracy forces and to combine all diverse views on the planned 2010 general election. Phyo Min Thein met with a military officer sent by Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Chief of Military Affairs Security, and he received permission to hold a pre-election political forum with a number of different political parties.hopes to create more dialogue between the opposition and military junta. the organizers said that they would not invite groups, which toe the army’s line, and their movements are in harmony with the army’s movements. main agenda will have various issues of democracy, human rights and national reconciliation.
The plan is to hold the forum in the second week of January 2010. They are now meeting and discussing with various political groups such as veteran politicians, ethnic leaders and pro-democracy forces. Pyo Min Thein said he invited many ethnic, opposition and NLD leaders, including Win Tin and Khin Maung Swe, to his political forum. More than 50 political activists have promised to join the forum, he said. NLD are not expected to join because they are committed to their demands for political dialogue.
