BURMA - Student Power Script - 38 mins - March 1997
Arrive at airport My first experience of Burma was one of corruption. Customs lady and corruption This customs official asked for 5 US dollars to waive the compulsory purchase of $300 of foreign exchange currency. Making first contact, moving through streets at night. (moody atmos) As I was to see......it was nothing compared to the deceit that the rulers of Burma are playing out on its people.We had travelled into Burma on a tourist visa............ By doing this we hoped to avoid any special attention to ourselves and more importantly,.......those we intended to meet. We also carried a concealed camera. Our objective was to get on the inside of Burma's student underground, or as they're called, "all Burma's students democratic front" - the ABSDF. Students have always played a vital role in shaping Burma's politics, it was from a student movement that the country gained its independence in 1948.These two men, one a student, were involved in a recent wave of student protests. They now lead us through the back streets of Rangoon, to find a safe place to talk. But despite our efforts...just being with foreigners made them vulnerable.We were right to assume that we...and they....were always being followed. I/V Student We have to look after our own security. The Military Intelligence are following us. We must immediately go into hiding. I have been followed by Military Intelligence. I must leave immediately. I must leave the city. I must shake them off my tail, so they can't follow me. 06.51 December protest 1996 We had arrived in Burma less than a month after this protest, last December. It was the latest in 10 years of disturbances.As is so often in Burma, small protests can often tip over into mass rioting in a cycle of intense suppression followed by violent release.The latest incident started in October, in this cafe...It emptied when we started filming.A trivial dispute over ID cards blew up...... UNDERLAY OVER CAFÉIV student ........two of my friends were taken away again. These two were arrested. They were beaten up in the police lock up. One had to be hospitalised, one had his teeth broken. They tortured him by hitting with a rifle butt. His teeth were broken. One of them was in hospital for one month. One was released but I don't know where he went. The other was sent to jail. While he was being interrogated my friend lost his life. 08.06 Events. Stuart Hume - AustralianAmbassador to Burma Well, the student protests really grew out of ..er.. What was probably quite a minor incident ..er.. In the first place, in October, which was fight in a tea shop ..er.. Which ..er.. The police intervened in that and very aggressively, apparently, and.. The students were beaten, and of course, then the students moved on from that point and insisted on something which this government obviously was never prepared to give, that is a public apology and ..er.. Action against the.. The police officers who had mistreated the students. And I think the fact that those basic fundamental demands have not been met, ..er.. Has contributed to ..er.. To the swelling of the protest to quite substantial proportions in ..er.. In December.The students were further outraged when leaflets appeared at this university urging them to stay away from politics and continue their studies peacefully.The Military Intelligence had caused these posters to be put up, calling for an end to disturbances which disrupted students. (They said) "Do not disturb the students! Demonstrators are troublemakers!" Protest. FULL ON On the following days students took to the streets demanding human rights, democracy and the release of imprisoned students, What had began as a student protest, swelled to include members of the country's pro democracy movement.Hundreds of protesters were arrested.In the days that followed government tanks rolled through the centre of town and took up key positions. Burma was under security alert. 10.08 IV Student " They used soldiers to come and round up the students. They started beating up the students using fire houses.....gun butts. There was lots of blood, girls had cuts on their faces. We were beaten up...we went demonstrate at Haldon and there the public joined us...and other party members. Before that, it was a demonstration by students alone. 10.41 August ‘88 protest For Burmese the new round of protest were a chilling reminder of the 1988 uprising...which convulsed the countrySparked by students, nearly the entire population took to the streets demanding an end to the military rule. For ordinary people the moment had arrived......they hoped to reclaim their country.......until military leader Ne Win instructed protesters to return home. If they didn't he threatened to order the military to open fire. 11.29 In less than six weeks 3000 unarmed people were gunned down. ....... Internationally the country was condemned, and hopes for democracy looked crushed, as the military set up the state law and order restoration council...or SLORC...to rule Burma. Outside gates of Insein jail, Yangon. SLORC were swift to clamp down. Thousands of people were incarcerated...many here in Insein jail.Amnesty International estimates there are at least 800 political prisoners behind these gates alone.The jail is still locked to all human rights organisations ......but former prisoners tell of torture during interrogation. Many die. 12.14 One of my contacts was a student leader who had spent 7 years in jail for his role in the 88 protest. 12.45 The meeting was dangerous to arrange. After a serious of cautious phone calls, and exchanged notes, I went to interview him at a safe house in the middle of Rangoon.He is lucky to be alive........ I/V Student If I was to relate all the tortures I have been through there would be no end. I was tortured in jail by a rope tied around my legs and being suspended upside down. This torture took place during my incarceration between the time I was with Military Intelligence and before I was transferred to jail. 13.05 Student berating MI The student's testimony is repeated thousands of times....arrests and interrogations happened through out the country as student fought military...military fought student...... I/V Student I was locked up at Laumadau Police Station for 6 days and gravely persecuted. Then I was transferred to Insein Jail where I was interrogated with beatings. Some people died from such interrogations. 13.39 Stuart Hume - AustralianAmbassador to Burma A government I think which ..er.. Relies on ..er.. Absolute control ..er.. To ..er.. maintain its authority, and doesn't tolerate dissent, is obviously frightened of anything which looks like criticism or dissent. And therefore the maximum of absolute control, .of complete control of anything which is seen as a potential source of difficulty or criticism or opposition is very, very quickly suppressed. Rows of Generals in uniform Tourists in Mandalay, elephants Shane buys paperC/u paper The repression of ‘88 was ruthless as it was effective.SLORC is firmly in control, and has opened Burma for business.The generals want visitors to see a picturesque, peaceful and golden land.But despite this perfect picture - not all can be put out of sight. From this tourist lookout few sightseers take panoramic shots of one of Burma's most notorious jails.Citizens too, are under control. SLORC's account of the ‘96 riots, is the only version available on the streets....................as the New Year began.... "the new light of Myanmar" - Burma's only national newspaper - repeats the government line...Daily, the paper reminds the population of the government's objectives for nationhood. 14.31 Spokesman, Ministry for Defence Lt. Col. Hla MinExterior university No opportunity is missed........on Canadian television, the military downplay the importance of the riots.We see three sort of organisations involved behind this student unrest and one is some members from a certain political party that has been involved and another one is the ABSDF, the ALL Burma Student Defence Force, they are also involved and the underground elements of the Burmese Communist party has also been involved. But the responsible authorities are trying to clean it up, and once we believe that we have achieved it, then the whole thing will be over.As in 1988, again the country's universities were closed indefinitely, forcing the students to go home.Locked out, a new generation of students went underground. Student Very clearly this was a political victory for us. It showed that the Government didn't dare to do as it pleased with the students because they were worried that the unrest might spread from the students to the people. This is just a test of strength before the real battle begins. 17.19 Student tape 25 Originally we were only concerned with setting up a student union but because of the constant suppression by the government we have found that simple objective impossible to achieve. So we promise that we will continue to struggle for freedom and democracy. Failed attempts to get to Suu Kyiís house. The government also quarantined Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This is university road....where she lives. University road,Shane Teehan attempting to negotiate with soldiers We were stopped a hundred metres from her house by SLORC soldiers...they guard both ends of her street. University continued Suu kyi was forced to remain in the background during the December protests, even though she is Burma's democratically elected leader. Street scenes Two weeks after the protest, SLORC has succeeded in silencing its critics. Most Burmese do not have the power to oppose SLORC but on Burma's borders there are those who have taken up guns. Border shots ABDSF on border Beauty river shots travelling in along the border.Huts, chopping wood Thousands of dissidents have fled Burma. We followed their tracks...We travelled up the Salween river.To the right is Thailand, over to my left, Burma. After the suppression of ‘88 it was to areas along the Salween that over 9,000 Burmese fled to avoid arrest. 7,000 of them were students. On arriving they formed the armed resistance of the ABSDF. For nine years the revolutionaries have carried out a guerrilla war against SLORC. But the tropical no mans land and constant confrontations with the more powerful Burmese army has depleted their numbers. Today only 2,000 fighters and their families remain. Camp life It's a gruelling life in the camps.Their worst problem is malaria....and it's not helped by a poor diet..... Fish paste, rice and only occasionally home grown vegetable. The Burmese are illegal citizens trapped between a home they can't return to and a country that doesn't want them. Footage of familiesMaung Maung Gyi In this settlement Maung Maung Gyi, his wife and child, has been hiding out for barely a month. He's building his fourth home in two years.-In 1993 Tarquinn's headquarters of the ABSDF, at Tarquinn, was occupied by the SLORC's troops so we moved from Tarquinn to Mae Hon Song, but last month we moved from Mae Hon Song here. MMG doing communications work - Shane has tc. Maung Maung Gyi's title is "deputy battalion commander" for the ABSDF. He's an essential link between Bangkok and the border settlements. In the camp there's also a prisoner of war. He's 13 years old.He was captured when he became separated from his battalion.Sick and disoriented, the ABSDF took mercy on him. POW boy When I first joined the army I was 13 years old. One of my friends asked whether I would like to join the army. My younger brother and I decided to join. We underwent 4 months of training. There were 62 boys of our age in Platoon 5. There were about 300 or 400 in Platoon 3, all of our age. 21.22 Set up of Gen sec tape 40Guy reading a report at tableLe Win Zin, ABSDFABSDF firing off guns In the camps, the ABSDF are led by Le Win Zin.Once a student of language he now studies reports from regiments in the southern Burma.In the past week one been overrun by SLORC soldiers. Families of his comrades who fled to the border have been refused permission to enter Thailand. At this moment we are trying to find out our survival at the border area so its a little bit of a situation for the whole groups along the border, for the whole democratic forces, for the causes. So we are trying to find our survival...But survival is tough.Recent summer offences against the ABSDF have left them with few positions on the border.The ethnic Karen, their only ally on the border, have also suffered heavy defeats. There's confusion about how to combat the Burmese army. ASDF marching through the jungle Le Win Zin GRAB The Karen have adopted front line military positions but the students prefer hit and run tacticsIn the jungle area, we can fight with the guerrilla warfare, but with other villagers it's quite difficult to continue guerrilla warfare.. The SLORCs re-locate the villagers and then cleansing the whole area is very, very ruthless ...... Gv's border camp, radio When I was at the camp, news came through that two of Burma's most wanted fugitives were heading our way. Shane Teehan and Le Win and 2 students in car travelling. (Than Nyunt Oo, in glasses, and Thet Hmu) Thai border police check point. Le Win Zin and I went to pick them up - about 8 hours away from the camp, to try and get them to the safety.Than Nyunt Oo and Thet Hmu are veteran student activists and last year, they were leading hands in the riots. For the past fifteen days they had been in extreme danger, avoiding SLORC frontlines as they walked to the Thai border. But even in Thailand their freedom is questioned. We were stopped by Thai border police. Money changed hands and we continued our journey.They told me about their trek out of Burma Thet Hmu, student When we entered the Karen state, where the majority of the Burmese army operates, we would of been killed without the help of the Karen villages. They moved us in stages to the border. It took them four to five times longer because we had to avoid the checkpoints. 24.48 Shots Thet Hmu talking to media phone Thet on phone to BBC Interest in the students was high. Nat sotThey used the opportunity to tell the world's media their first hand account of the suppression of Burmese citizens and the arrests of their fellow student leaders. A tired Thet Hmu spoke at length to the BBC. Burmese TV Then they watched themselves being described by Burmese television as criminals and outlaws. Nat sot of them watching the telly Walking the streets of Changmai. Than Nyunt Oo and Thet Hmu hoped that they would able to attract more attention for the cause at their ultimate destination - Bangkok. But when their presence became known word came through from the Thai Prime Minister's office that they were not welcome in the capital. The two students were taken back into Burma to the dubious security of an ABSDF camp. Office of ABSDF in Bangkok. Aung Min Myo on phone & fax. BURMA NET. If the students had gone to Bangkok, they would have worked from here.This is ABSDF mission control where information from inside Burma is monitored and spread their message via the internet. There's been a number of small victories - ABSDF reports on human rights violations have contributed to a number of western companies pulling out of Burma. I/V with Aung Myo Min, ASDF office This is the clear message of the student and of the people that Burmese people want change, Burmese people want SLORC to solve the political issue in political ways by meeting Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic force leaders. So this is clear message, an ultimatum to SLORC, we don't want you. 26.59 Office shots A week before I filmed in this office it had been raided by local Thai police, who took away computer equipment and demanded a bribe.The students can do little...they have no visas to be in Thailand. I wanted to go back into Burma, but needed more contacts. Aung min myo gave me name. But it came with a warning. I/V with Aung Myo Min, ASDF office My friends may do risky things to see and meet you, because in Burma there's a lot of MIs, MI's are Military Intelligence and many informers. SLORCS established that kind of networking, intelligent networking everywhere. 27.44 Bangkok. Thai skyline, rich city shots, the tigers of Asia. ASEAN meeting Heading out of Bangkok , you see the model of economic transformation that the Burmese generals would like to emulate.As Asia has become prosperous, Burma has been on the sidelines, but now the South East Asian Organisation - Asean - is set to embrace it. They're already the biggest investors in Burma, and are encouraging it along in its race to join the Asian tigers. ASEAN meetingTanks in downtown Rangoon, child labour, forced labour. The investors want security for their money, and they think the generals can provide it.Tanks stood outside the so called "worker's union building."As the money pours in, SLORC offers up it's people. I saw people press ganged into forced labour.Even the children are corralled into the plan. Thai/ Asean investment. Hotels being built, pipeline, billboards. Last year a leading children's rights organisation condemned Burma as having the worst record in the world for child exploitation, stating that one third of the country's young work in insufferable conditions.But the business of Asean is not human rights. Travelling in taxi to monastery. Shane interviewing Back in Burma, my contact led me to a monastery....he thought it would be safe .......By chance it opened up an entirely new door. It was still the underground but this time to a monks union....a group more secretive than the students. Q. Does he agree with the armed struggle on the border? Students who take guns. A. Yes, Yes. Q. Does he agree with that? A. Yes.In the middle of an interview a monk interrupted .............. Two students start to look around...they are worried.Monks by lake, queuing for foodMandalay prettiesUbein monastery, Mandalay. Day in the life of a monk. Translator : He requests for you, as far as possible to show caution, to shorten the interview. Ask questions quickly! He's very worried for us.Later the monk helped us with other contacts.Nat sot Mandalay is the spiritual heart of Burma. Monks have also played a pivotal role in Burmese politics...... A role that is now banned by the authorities. Monk pretties Although non violent their movement is renowned for tactics of civil disobedience. In 1991 the monks sangha union refused to perform any religious rights for soldiers and members of their families. Several hundred of the Sangha monks were arrested. Ashin U Khaymarsara, Abymu President in exile. They have made Sangha involvement in politics a big offence and have taken heavy action against members of the Sangha ...... extending even to imprisonment and death. According to the latest news, 16 monks have already died at their hands. SLORC has arrested many monks, on charges of being mixed up in politics. There is no political freedom in Burma. 31.22 Shots of book More shots monks Khay Mar Zara showed me details of monks who had died while in custody.There are nearly half a million monks in Burma....... The population is strictly Buddhist, so SLORC remains suspicious of the power that the monks wield in their society. Ashin U Khaymarsara, Abymu President in exile. We will, in principle act within the rules for Buddhist monks, but we do co operate with the students. The students have embraced armed struggle. Holding guns and killing, that is the province of lay persons. But we have an alliance with them. 32.29 Monasteries Monasteries are raided from time to time by soldiers concerned that the monks are stockpiling weapons, but even so the pragmatic generals can see the value in having a good relationship with the religion. Ashin U Khaymarsara, Abymu President in exile. They have decided that to retain power they must cultivate the Buddhism majority. Before 1988 it was rare to see even a petty local leader going to the monastery. These days you read about top members of SLORC going to the Buddhist monasteries. This shows they fear and are using religion. 33.07 Statue shot of Aung San Not all generals have been condemned by the citizens of Burma.Some were respected...like General Aung San - the father of independence. He was also the father of Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San monument It was widely rumoured that the current military regime orchestrated his assassination in 1947. Union dayBurma TV shots Now the generals insist on respect when it is not freely given. This is union day, February 15th. When Burma celebrates it's ethnic diversity. The generals contrive to show off a colourful, obedient, contented, and ethnically unified nation.But on the same day, SLORC were launching an attack on one of their minorities - the Karen were being attacked on the borders.It didn't stop Burma TV joining in on the act - showing the generals firmly in control of their ship of state - sailing down a street where there was no one to applaud them.Only those conscripted bothered to turn up. At Sui Kyi's house, people turned away Well wisherSpokesman, Ministry for Defence Lt. Col. Hla Min On the same day, Aung San Suu Kyi was still locked away.She couldn't come out to greet her well wishers they were turned back.The military group break people but you cannot control our minds.The government's intention is she's being especially requested to stay in at the moment because the government is concerned about her personal security.But someone did manage to smuggle out Aung San Suu Kyi's message. Suu Kyi It is easy to govern a country, but it is not easy to gain the respect and love of the people. This country has had numerous leaders, but only few have the respect of the people. Goodleaf marketOo Ti NuCrowd clapping The following week, supporters of Suu Kyi gathered in the market place, in a symbolic wait for their leader. The gathering used to happen every week end. Just by being here these people are breaking the law. A gathering of 4 or more is illegal.This time they are rewarded, when Suu Kyi's right hand man Oo Ti Nu arrives to speak.She is looking forward to moving freely again with the people who are very much in love with her.A week after I filmed here, the gatherings were closed down. Australian Ambassadors residenceStuart Hume - AustralianAmbassador to Burma Suu Kyi After two attempts, we finally managed to meet Burma's leader of The National Liberation for DemocracyLet me apologise for ambushing you, as it were, by some people from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.That's all right.Suu Kyi had a lunch appointment with the outgoing Australian Ambassador.[Introduction between Shane Teehan and Suu Kyi] I started by asking her about the recent attack on her life. Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy Mix with Smashed up car Shane Teehan We were coming out of this area which had been cordoned off - the way my road is now cordoned off. We were attacked by a whole crowd of people armed with crowbars and stones. And it had all obviously been arranged by the authorities, because uniformed personnel were there.. They were just looking on.. They didn't do a thing. Um.. My.. My back windscreen was smashed and ..er.. All the.. All the windows of Oi Ti's car were smashed and the back windscreen as well. It was something which had obviously been arranged with the cooperation of the authorities. The people they used were members of the USDA - the Union Solidarity and Development Association - which is which is SLORC's so-called social welfare organisation. Q. Were you frightened? 37.12 Suu Kyi pix of crowds listening in rain to one of Suu Kyi's speech No. I don't think one achieves anything for nothing. This is again something we try very hard to make the people of Burma understand. Nothing comes free in this life. You have to pay for everything, in some form or the other. And they've got to understand that they're not going to get their democratic and.. democratic rights just like that. Nobody is going to serve it to them on a plate. They've got to work for it. They've got to make sacrifices for it. They can't just sit back and expect the NLD to do it alone. We can't, and nor should we, because if the NLD were able to do it alone, then the NLD might become much too powerful and that's not good. What we want is a democracy, not one party rule. I don't want even my party to get too powerful. That would destroy the democratic balance that is necessary. Pics of Suu Kyi in rain at rally Suu kyi departed back to house arrest, an uncertain future - watched over by SLORC intelligence. Stuart Hume - AustralianAmbassador to Burma For all of the six years or so of her house arrest, ..er.. The day after she released ..er.. She was released, ..er.. You could sense this ..er.. upwelling of popular public support for her as an individual, and for the objectives that she's established so, if that's any guide, ..er.. another six years of restrictions would not, in my view, in any way diminish either her.. Her public support or her capacity to call for that support immediately it became possible to do so. 39.13 Border River On the border it's doubtful whether the students can last that long. Information is relayed that SLORC soldiers are moving in. They are directly opposite this camp, across the river. ABSDF on border Q. How far are the troops away from us now? A. Now in front.... Right now. Q. Directly in front of this camp? A. Yeah yeah this camp. Radio ---nat sot -----bloke round side of house---- The ABSDF have few weapons they're buried because they're on Thai soil, but they're now quickly dug up and cleaned.During the alert, every one has a job...even the children.In the time since I've been back in Australia two remaining camps have indeed, been over run, forcing the student revolutionaries to re-assess their future. I/V Le Win ZinI/V student in disguise At this moment the loss of our camps and our base area along the border is a great loss for the democratic movement, but it doesn't mean that we are losing the whole.. the whole war. We can still fight back, but we are not losing the war.The new generation of students want to demonstrate peacefully and want everyone else to join in to defeat the government. But we of the 1988 generation believe in armed struggle. 41.08-41.30 I/V student If one looks at leaders in politics or in struggle for Independence one will find that students are involved. Skeletons of students are at the foundation of a better Burma. 42.05 Cemetery Even in death there is no peace for the people of Burma.In the middle of Rangoon, we find a cemetery being dug up to make way for a tourist development. Relatives must move their dead or have them buried under a hotel. Cemetery Even Aung San Suu Kyi had to take away the body of her long dead brother. ARMY lined up In my 2 months in Burma I found money speaks loudest .....Nat sot army yells..... Closing pretty shots SLORC hopes its a word that will overwhelm the few voices of freedom and drown out Suu Kyi's battle cry that nothing comes for free. ENDS
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