GRAPE VINE
NCGUB hasn`t done badly
source . SCB
As an observer, the NCGUB over ten years since its formation hasn't done badly. We've got to remember that the NCGUB, as an organisation, gone through extremely tough periods of under attacks by external forces. For example, the PM Dr Sein Win, even nowadays, has no chance to set his foot on Thailand -- a measure by these external forces to sever NCGUB leadership with the rest of the movement.
It is not common for NCGUB office in Thailand being raided and documents confiscated by Thai police. The office staffs were detained and harass several times. Even under these circumstances, NCGUB can certainly claim that the unity between ethnic forces and Burman being able to forge mainly by its efforts. The NCGUB people have no shortage in sacrifice to the movement, even with life, such as U Win Ko who
was assassinated in China few years ago. The organisation itself has undergone the process of purify and purges, such as expellation of U Lin Bin etc. NCGUB nowadays is politically well-seasoned, people working in it now have much more refined skills in campaigning and public relations. This is not too bad for an organisation which has to operate under such a pressure.
As regards some concerns by committed activists like Maung Maung Than about the utilisation of NCGUB funds, I think it is legitimate concern. But, most of the NCGUB funding would have been used by the travel expenses. Travelling round the world is always expensive and we have seen the NCGUB representatives are extending their campaign from South Africa to Sweden, from the Philippine to Ireland all the time. This would have easily cost NCGUB one million or two, if they ever receive that much money, I certainly won't worry. There may be some personal use of their pocket money for occassions. But its use be understandable by the given context.
The greatest concerns to me about NCGUB is its lack of communication with expatriate groups. People like Dr Sein Win should go out and personally meet, or at least write letters, expetrate persons who are active in the Burmese exile communities. From my experience in communicating with Burmese exiles, whether elected members in NCGUB or not, one has to be quite respectful and persistent in
approaching them. These Burmese exiles may not always be politically articulate, but in the end "blood is thicker than water" and we have to count on the supports of those exiles.
The more insidious problem, not confined to NCGUB, is the policy weakness within our movement. This problem is much harder. We shouldn't expect the NLD inside being able to formulate all
transitional policies -- they are preoccupied by engaging with the junta. The NCGUB outside, or whoever have enough resources, should begin organising papers etc..
Regards, Ne Oo