Burma: To Get out of the Sanction, a Deceptive Speech by Khin Nyunt

By Zin linn

It was learnt, according to Burmese junta's media,'' Seminar on Understanding Myanmar (Burma)'', organized by Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, was held at on 27 January 2004. The seminar took place in Hline University Campus, Hline Township in Rangoon with a forcefulu but a very deceptive address by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

The seminar was attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Chairman of Yangon Division PDC Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, senior military officers, deputy ministers, ambassadors of foreign embassies in Yangon, diplomats, UN resident representatives, officials of the SPDC office, departmental heads, Myanmar ambassadors, retired Myanmar ambassadors, Myanmar historians, economists, rectors and professors of universities, chairmen and officials of social organizations, researchers of foreign countries such as Brunei, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam, resource persons, departmental officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and special guests.

At the seminar resource persons have submitted nine papers - future political program of the State, endeavors for peace and stability of the State, drugs elimination, all-round development undertakings, foreign policy of Myanmar, cooperation with the United Nations, Myanmar women's rights, Myanmar history and culture and Myanmar's human rights. Besides, researchers of foreign countries will take part in the discussions.

Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said:'' I am particularly pleased to note that academics and researchers from many countries are present here. Your vast experiences will stand the seminar in good stead. I am confident that you will be able to contribute to the overall objective of promoting better understanding of Myanmar in the international community.''

The Prime Minister has done a good job in deceiving the Burmese people and international community into thinking that the informal seminar on Burma recently was a triumph for democratic reform there.

The Seminar on Understanding Myanmar was one of the latest attempts by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt to legitimize the military junta rule in Burma and annihilate the National League for Democracy (NLD), opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

He also said in his speech: '' We live in an area of change. Everywhere around the world transformations are taking place due to the rapid progress of science and technology and the aspirations of peoples for economic advancement and better living standards. Myanmar too has been swept forward by the tide of change. As peace and stability has been restored, we are taking steps to transform the country into a peaceful, prosperous and modern state that would take its rightful place in the world.”

He Added: “On 30th August last year, I announced a roadmap for transition to a disciplined and modern democratic state. The seven-step programme includes reconvening of the national convention to draft a new constitution which would culminate in free and fair elections and election of State leaders and formation of the Government that would lead the nation into a bright future.''

Actually, the seven-step programme is no more than a tactic of the junta that try to cover up the 30 May premeditated massacre at Depayin, in which nearly a hundred of the supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi were killed and over three hundred NLD supporters were detained.

Unfortunately, junta has not shown interest to form an independent inquiry commission, which should deliver a report publicly what really happened at Depayin.

Instead, the junta's generals have been taking advantages sponsoring conferences and seminars with foreign participants as a propaganda ploy under the guise of political reforms.

The generals especially Prime Minister Khin Nyunt has been using meetings and seminars as a springboard for the junta to demonstrate its great eagerness to proceed towards the seven-point road map to democracy, one step at a time. Burma's Prime Minister Khin Nyunt announced the road map plan in August after a comprehensive economic collapse of the country in consequence of a political crackdown on the opposition party.

Although he has announced that his roadmap for transition to a disciplined and modern democratic state includes reconvening of the national convention, drafting a new constitution and election of State leaders and formation of the Government that would lead the nation into a bright future. But he fails to recognize the role and quintessence of the Nobel Laureate and her strongest party in the national process.

Another important question is that the junta is striving to evade the further release of political prisoners, allow political parties to function freely and a genuine political dialogue. The junta's formula is to ascertain that the political reform process is moving in a sustained way, even though at a creeping pace as long as 15 years. The major tactic here is to get the National Convention going as soon as possible.

During the last Bangkok Process, Foreign Minister Win Aung promised Burma would hold the National Convention in the near future. He also added that representatives of Burmese society, comprising ethnic minorities, academics, intellectuals, workers, farmers and political parties including the NLD, would be invited to send representatives to the convention. The pledge got quick support from the ASEAN countries and China, although the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi and her party was in a state of uncertainty.

However, the junta has in mind a total of 702 representatives who have to take part in the so-called national convention. Eighty-six representatives would come from the NLD. But, nobody knows whether the NLD has freedom to pick its own representatives or not. In the past, over 600 representatives were handpicked persons by the junta.

According to some analysts, the SPDC road map is intended to buy time and grip-on the political power. If the SPDC's generals really care about the people and respect their rights, they need to compromise with the NLD party at a dialogue table without preconditions. It cannot call a “National Convention” in which participants where only handpicked people by the junta participate.

A convention of national importance should be an inclusive process with proper representation and conducted in a democratic manner under an unbiased authority. The junta’s convention dominated by military commanders and delegates selected by the generals may be a rubberstamp forum.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt insisted in his speech: ''In the economic sphere, Myanmar has been able to maintain a steady course in its effort to promote a market-oriented system in spite of the unilateral sanctions imposed by some Western countries.''

He continued: ''It is an undeniable fact that the country has not only been able to overcome the unilateral economic sanctions imposed by some Western countries, but has been able to improve the economic well-being of its peoples. The false perception that Myanmar is crumbling and that its people are downtrodden has been created by those who wish us ill. It is time to correct the misperceptions.''

In conclusion, he said persuasive manner with these words: ''I believe that academics and researchers like you can play a positive role by speaking out objectively so that the world will have a better appreciation of the complex situation in the country and the tremendous efforts we have made to bring about a smooth transition to a modern and disciplined-flourishing democratic country. In accordance with the dictum, seeing is believing, I am confident that you will be able to witness that Myanmar is a country at peace and discipline-flourishing democratic State.''

With a backing of ASEAN, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt is hoping he can strengthen his role and authority within the military ruling clique by accelerating the stalled dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD.

Unfortunately, no ASEAN leader showed any sympathy for the opposition party leader or her role in Burma's transformation into a democracy. The present political situation of Burma has stagnated as the regime completely ignored the will of the Burmese voters in the 1990 elections, when people cast votes overwhelmingly for NLD in favor of democracy.

Nearly14 years later, the SPDC has declared a new 'Roadmap' which covers the transition of the discipline-flourishing democratic State. Although nobody knows when this will happen, but the 13 ceased-fired groups have already given a strong support to Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt's road map in the country.

Eventually, General Khin Nyunt has arrogantly considered himself as so far instrumental for getting the support from those ceased-fire groups. Also, he continues lobbying the foreign diplomats, academics and researchers from many countries in order to get support towards his road map through those seminars and conferences sponsored by the junta.

Nevertheless, the International community shouldn't easily forget the junta's time buying tactic or playing game with human lives. In other words, arrest-and-release of political prisoners is a brutal game that shows the true inhumane face of the military council.

The junta is whatever said is under a heavy pressure because of the illegal detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and a great number of the leaders. But, as the junta doesn't know how to cope up with the pressure, it may have to release the Lady and a few political prisoners again.

It has been an effective tactic used by the junta as a good mechanism to oppress its own people and at the same time it can play tricks upon ASEAN and the International Community. It must be remembered that without sympathy forthcoming from the neighboring countries, Burmese people so far remain helpless. How long this situation may continue? Only the neighboring states has a response as to when they would stop supporting the corrupt regime.

- Asian Tribune -