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The Nation - Junta twists logic in



Subject: The Nation - Junta twists logic in 'democratic goals'

The Nation - Aug 21, 1999.
Editorial & Opinion
Junta twists logic in 'democratic goals'

BOTH sides in Burma may claim to be using different tactics to ''achieve
democracy'' but the military stretches belief in its professed commitment to
this goal, writes Moe Aye.

Khin Nyunt, the powerful general in the Burmese ruling junta, revealed his
perspective on democracy in a recent speech. ''A careful and objective study
will reveal that both sides have the same aim -- the emergence of a
democratic country. The difference is only in the tactics to reach this
goal,'' the general told delegates at the opening ceremony of a diplomacy
course at the foreign ministry in Rangoon on Aug 10.

He was reiterating his claim that the ruling junta wants to establish a
democratic country. It may be right -- although a common goal may be sought,
the tactics followed to achieve it may differ.

Even among the Burmese exiled groups there are many different opinions and
tactics about how to achieve democracy. Some believe that only the
non-violent way can lead there. Some think that the violent way is much
better. Others claim that both violent and non-violent ways can restore
democracy in Burma.

However, the groups always discuss with each other about how to implement
their strategy. They work together on the issues they agree on. They work
separately on the issues they do not agree upon. Sometimes they seek advice
from Burma observers, and they do not blame each other for their different
ideas and opinions.

In addition, among armed ethnic groups also -- except the Wa -- some groups
believe entering the so-called cease-fire agreements with the junta is the
best way. Some think that entering them means surrender, so they hold their
weapons and continue their armed struggle. However, they respect each other
and are not fighting each other. It shows that they really have the same
goal -- the emergence of a democratic country.

Inside Burma, there are only two groups -- the junta that staged a bloody
coup in September 1988 and the National League for Democracy (NLD) that won
the May 1990 election. Undoubtedly, the NLD represents its voters, trying to
carry out their desire for democracy.

According to Khin Nyunt, the junta also wants to implement the desire of the
Burmese people for the emergence of a democratic country. This would mean
both are seeking the same goal. If so, they will need to discuss with each
other, in the first place, about where they can agree and where they cannot.
If they do not agree on every issue, it does not matter -- they can
compromise until they agree, or someone may help to negotiate those issues.

Sadly, this scenario is so far only an abstract notion. Instead, both sides
accuse each other of refusing to enter into possible dialogue. Finally,
international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and some
governments such as the US, those of the EU and Australia, have been trying
hard to mediate between the two sides.

Far from holding an official dialogue, nobody has even seen the two groups
hold any talks on any subject, even at a personal or social level. The
question of which tactics each side is pursuing to reach their common
goal -- if indeed they really have a common goal -- needs to be answered.
For the NLD, its tactic is very clear. It entered into the May 1990 election
and won a landslide victory. Since then, it has been demanding that
parliament be convened. At the same time, it has been calling for a dialogue
for the future of country. When there was no response from the junta, it
formed the Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP).

For the junta, its tactics seemed to be clear as well, at least before the
1990 election. It said all parties should participate in the election so as
to listen to the voters, and then it would transfer power to the winning
party. It also said drawing up a constitution would be the task of the
winning party.

After the NLD won the election, the junta changed its tactic by rejecting
the election result and arresting the elected members and activists. Many
NLD members were forced to resign and many NLD offices were forcibly closed.
It still ignores the demands of the NLD to hold talks.

In this context, what is the junta's tactic for moving towards the emergence
of a democratic country? To force the armed ethnic groups to enter the
so-called cease-fire agreements? To allow the Wa armed ethnic group to
continue its drug trade? To force the NLD members to resign from their
party? Trying to isolate Aung San Suu Kyi from her party and people? To
dissolve not only the CRPP but also the NLD? To close the universities
forever? To keep all activists in prison for a long time? To refuse to enter
a possible dialogue with the NLD?

For all the above-mentioned questions, the answer at the moment might be
''Yes''. All are anti-democratic measures. However, the junta may
counter-argue (as, indeed, it has, in the news release from the Burmese
Embassy in London on Aug 12) that it allowed the International Committee of
the Red Cross to visit prisons, the Australian commissioner for human rights
to exchange views and explore avenues for cooperation in the area of human
rights. The embassy boasted that these are all recent developments in Burma.

Moe Thee Zun, a former prominent student leader who led the 8-8-88
nationwide uprising said, however, ''They [the junta] have to allow these
things, not for the emergence of a democratic country, but to try to reduce
the tension of the people of Burma -- and especially to divert attention
from the 9-9-99 action''.

Khin Maung Win, spokesman of the All Burma Students Democratic Front
(ABSDF), also asked, ''Why did the junta declare in July in a secret order
to its troops and government offices that the NLD is a state enemy, if both
are in the same boat?'' Their views suggest that the junta is aiming for a
different goal, not the emergence of a democratic country. If Khin Nyunt
wants to show the junta shares this goal, it is high time for it to be clear
about its tactics.

The Nation