Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RANGOON1056
2007-10-24 10:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
FEMINIST WRITERS' GROUP EXPRESSES OPTIMISM FOR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001056
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: FEMINIST WRITERS' GROUP EXPRESSES OPTIMISM FOR
BURMA
Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 001056
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: FEMINIST WRITERS' GROUP EXPRESSES OPTIMISM FOR
BURMA
Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Summary. Writers for a local feminist magazine
expressed optimism for the future of democracy in Burma.
They noted that the demonstrations in September differed from
the 1988 demonstrations because this time the international
community was watching. They also felt that a new generation
had inherited the democracy movement in Burma allowing more
space for fresh and creative ideas in the future. End
SumQry.
2. (C) On October 23 Poloff met with a group of six feminist
writers led by Dr. Anna May Say Pa. The group writes for a
newly founded feminist magazine in Rangoon, funded by the
Embassy's small grants program. Dr. Anna noted that the
magazine does not represent feminism as understood in the
West. She emphasized that her group aims to express all
views, conservative and liberal, and to discuss them openly
to explore opportunities for women of all religions and walks
of life in Burma. She said that the next issue of the
magazine will even publish an article by a man who holds more
traditional and conservative views of a woman's role in
society. The group also sponsors a class that teaches local
women to use computers, a skill that many are afraid of
learning, she said.
3. (C) When asked what they think lies ahead for Burma, the
group appeared unified in their optimism. The demonstrations
in September differed from the ones in 1988 because this time
the entire world was watching. They explained that the
attention the events received from the international
community gave them hope, because it restricts the military
regime. Countries that care about what happens in Burma will
pressure those that support the regime; that alone means
something, they emphasized. Closer trade ties now than in
previous years forces the GOB to pay attention to other
countries' views.
4. (C) The youngest member of the group, a woman in her early
twenties who took part in the demonstrations, expressed her
happiness that the demonstrations allowed her generation to
join the pro-democracy movement. She elaborated that the
large numbers of young students who marched in the protests
gave her hope that the democracy movement in Burma would not
die with those students who led the protests in 1988. Her
generation, she noted, could provide new and creative ideas
to further their hopes for democracy in Burma.
5. (C) Comment. This group of women writers expressed
optimism without fear, a view we have rarely heard since the
crackdown in September. While they have high hopes for what
the international community has power to do, they also
realize that the transition to democracy in Burma is in their
hands. End Comment.
VILLAROSA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: FEMINIST WRITERS' GROUP EXPRESSES OPTIMISM FOR
BURMA
Classified By: P/E Chief Leslie Hayden for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Summary. Writers for a local feminist magazine
expressed optimism for the future of democracy in Burma.
They noted that the demonstrations in September differed from
the 1988 demonstrations because this time the international
community was watching. They also felt that a new generation
had inherited the democracy movement in Burma allowing more
space for fresh and creative ideas in the future. End
SumQry.
2. (C) On October 23 Poloff met with a group of six feminist
writers led by Dr. Anna May Say Pa. The group writes for a
newly founded feminist magazine in Rangoon, funded by the
Embassy's small grants program. Dr. Anna noted that the
magazine does not represent feminism as understood in the
West. She emphasized that her group aims to express all
views, conservative and liberal, and to discuss them openly
to explore opportunities for women of all religions and walks
of life in Burma. She said that the next issue of the
magazine will even publish an article by a man who holds more
traditional and conservative views of a woman's role in
society. The group also sponsors a class that teaches local
women to use computers, a skill that many are afraid of
learning, she said.
3. (C) When asked what they think lies ahead for Burma, the
group appeared unified in their optimism. The demonstrations
in September differed from the ones in 1988 because this time
the entire world was watching. They explained that the
attention the events received from the international
community gave them hope, because it restricts the military
regime. Countries that care about what happens in Burma will
pressure those that support the regime; that alone means
something, they emphasized. Closer trade ties now than in
previous years forces the GOB to pay attention to other
countries' views.
4. (C) The youngest member of the group, a woman in her early
twenties who took part in the demonstrations, expressed her
happiness that the demonstrations allowed her generation to
join the pro-democracy movement. She elaborated that the
large numbers of young students who marched in the protests
gave her hope that the democracy movement in Burma would not
die with those students who led the protests in 1988. Her
generation, she noted, could provide new and creative ideas
to further their hopes for democracy in Burma.
5. (C) Comment. This group of women writers expressed
optimism without fear, a view we have rarely heard since the
crackdown in September. While they have high hopes for what
the international community has power to do, they also
realize that the transition to democracy in Burma is in their
hands. End Comment.
VILLAROSA