Burma, 1988-1995

Component identifier:

Series 15

Content Summary:

Feith's files relating to Burma date from a period of widespread civil and political unrest in the country, which broke out in September 1988, leading to the imposition of martial law and the overthrow of the 1974 Constitution. The military government changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 and multi-party elections were held in May of the following year. However, despite the landslide win of the National League for Democracy, the military refused to relinquish power and ordered that the Party's leaders, U Tin U and Aung San Suu Kyi, be held under house arrest.

In 1994, under the auspices of the Australian Volunteers Abroad, Feith spent some months on the Thai-Burma border training Burmese student rebels in peace studies and conflict resolution.

The files in this series contain correspondence, notes, reports, cuttings, newsletters, conference papers and writings by others, including Dr Alan Smith. The bulk of the papers are from 1994.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The bulk of the papers were donated to the Library in 2002 by Herb Feith's widow, Betty, and his son, David Feith. Also in 2002, smaller groups of papers were donated by Professor John Legge, Dr Gerry van Klinker and Daniel S. Lev.

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