The Burmese Fairy Tale (r)

[kenchan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE BURMESE FAIRY TALE

     Ma Thanegi argues in her FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW article that
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's rejection of pragmatism or realism in dealing
with the SPDC is hurting ordinary Burmese people. Her opinions need to
be taken very seriously, but a think a number of points have to be
emphasized:

     (1) It is true that Burma has become a fairy tale in the minds of
some Westerners, who see the struggle between Daw Suu Kyi and SPDC as a
STAR WARS battle between the forces of Good and Evil. The Western
academic and diplomat who said that economic hardship, sparking a
revolution, is a good thing are insensitive, to say the least. But
Americans and Europeans aren't the only ones turning Burma into a
Fantasyland. Exponents of "Asian values" in Japan, Singapore and
elsewhere would have us believe that everything in "Myanmar" is
wonderful, and there's no problem which can't be solved by throwing
money at it (and getting nice profits back). 

     (2) If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's policy is too rigid, then the
National League for Democracy, as a democratic party, ought to
deliberate democratically and (possibly) change its policy. But that is
the business of the NLD membership and its supporters.

     (3) Unfortunately, the situation in Burma is not at all conducive
to the operation of a genuinely democratic party. It is incumbent upon
the junta to promote an environment of lawful government, free
discussion, and basic rights, not attempt to sabotage and destroy the
NLD or other opposition groups.

     (4) No one who has followed events in Burma can doubt the immense
information pouring out of the country on human rights abuses, both in
the Burman and minority areas. It is highly unlikely that if Daw Suu Kyi
becomes pragmatic and "realistic", it will benefit most Burmese people.
Indeed, if she gives in, I believe many of the ethnic minorities would
regard it as an inexcusable betrayal, deepening the historical lack of
trust they feel toward the majority ethnic group.

     (5) Daw Suu Kyi is human, therefore imperfect (as she herself
admits). Unfortunately, her international stature is about the only
thing which stands between SPDC and "normal" diplomatic, aid and trade
relations with other countries, especially Japan. Certain foreign
economic interests -- e.g., large Japanese trading companies -- might
welcome an assault on her repuation since they are lobbying intensely
for profitable normalization.

     I am not implying that Ma Thanegi is insincere. If I were her,
living in her situation, I might have exactly the same opinion. These
matters need to be discussed and debated frankly within the Burmese
democracy movement. But for the reasons given above, I believe the time
is NOT ripe for a post-Aung San Suu Kyi era.


Donald M. Seekins
Meio University
Nago, Okinawa   JAPAN