RIPPLES Made by Premier Sein Win, Dr. Zarni & Prof. Win:
(June 20, 2005)(Prof. Win's letter attached)
( S.H.A.N. & Burma's News Published by Burma's Chinese 貌强 ） (boxun.com)
TAYZA THURIA:
In the evening of 7th June 2005, a meeting was held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Burma (UK) in the All Party Select Committee Room 15. All Party Parliamentary Group on Burma is a group of the UK cross party parliamentarians who are interested in issues relating to Burma.
At the meeting on 7 June, only three elected MPs and one Noble Lord appear to have been present, Vera Baird and Ann Clwyd (Labour) and Alistair Carmichael and Lord Alton (Lib Dem). Only the first two were formally listed as members of the All Party Group on Democracy in Burma in the previous Parliament, though membership seems to be fairly fluid and interested parliamentarians can always look in for particular meetings. No Conservative MPs or Lords seem to have been present.
The main purpose of the meeting was presumably to enable British parliamentarians to meet Dr Sein Win and his colleagues. But Dr Zarni, who has critical opinions on the Burmese Exiled Government, also came to that meeting as All Party Group on Burma meeting is open to all, and anyone who is interested in Burma is welcome to attend the meeting.
The confrontation between the two gentlemen created huge ripples across Burmese democratic community on the internet. I, Tayza, here compiled short biographies of these two gentlemen, and also other politicians' opinions on that confrontation between these two Burmese politicians in British Parliament.
Dr. Sein Win's Biogr.:
Elected People's Representative, NLD, Constituency: Paukkhaung, Pegu/Bago Division
Date of Birth: 16 December 1944
Place of Birth: Taungdwin Gyi
Father: U Ba Win* Mother: Daw Khin Saw
Current Duties:
Prime Minister of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) Member, Presidium of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) Member, Members of Parliament Union (MPU)
Dr. Sein Win is the Prime Minister of the NCGUB and the former leader of the Party for National Democracy(PND). In late 1990, Dr. Sein Win left for the liberated area on the Thai-Burma border and set up the NCGUB.
Dr. Sein Win is the son of U Ba Win*, the elder brother of Gen. Aung San; assassinated along with Gen. Aung San in 1947. In 1965 he graduated from Rangoon University in Mathematics and later went to Hamburg University and obtained a Master of Science in 1974 and a doctorate in Mathematics in 1979. From 1980-1982 he taught at Colombo University in Sri Lanka and from 1982-1984 at Nairobi University in Kenya. From 1986-1988 he taught at the Workers' College as a part-time Mathematics Lecturer. After the 1988 uprisings, he was the Treasurer of the Information Department of the NLD and in charge of the Party for National Democracy (PND). The PND was then banned on 20 December 1990 and he was charged with breaking the Political Parties Registration Act. Dr. Sein Win received 17,511 valid votes or 50 % and won Paukkhaung Constituency in the 1990 elections. The Election Commission subsequently and dismissed him as an MP on 26 December 1990. He opposed the State Government and took part in forming a parallel government and was nominated to head an interim government to be formed in the jungles. Dr. Sein Win left Burma and co-founded the NCGUB on the Thai-Burma border in December 1990 and MPU in 1995. He was elected Prime Minister of the NCGUB. He currently lives in the United States Dr.
Dr.Zarni 's Biogr.:
Political exile from Burma
(born in 1963 in Mandalay, Burma)
is founder and director of the Free Burma Coalition.
For the past 15 years, Zarni has been an activist on campuses in democratic countries in Asia, Europe, and North America.
In 1995, he established the Free Burma Coalition News Digests and Activist Update, an on-line news and action alerts, which he has maintained and edited since.
He has written articles and book chapters on "Free Burma" activism. and edited an activist manual entitled Free Burma Coalition Manual: How You Can Help Burma's Struggle for Freedom (1997).
A former professor of Education at National-Louis University in Chicago, Zarni completed an MA in Education from the University of California-Davis and also earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum from the University of Wisconsin at Madison
A Fellow in the Rockefeller Foundation Next Generation Leadership Program (2001-03)
He is also a member of the Georgetown Leadership Seminar, Georgetown University Edmund Welsh School of Foreign Service (2004).
[His biography from his FBC website] .
***Dr. Zarni recently visited Rangoon for one day and met with officials of the Ministry of Defense. Dr. Zarni said the purpose of his Burma trip during which he exchanged views with three Burmese military intelligence officials was to see if there are constructive ways and to find out ways in which the United States can be more constructive about helping break the political stalemate in Rangoon, rather than simply increasing sanctions. [VOA 22.07.2004]
Canada-based political analyst U Myint Shwe says 'Every body can go and talk to the military any time with a view to negotiate', he says.
But Professor Kanbawza Win disagrees with him saying that although people can have differing opinions, there must be a collective decision making process. [bbc 05.08.2004]
Various people expressed their opinions. [Non of them is my creation, I just compiled excerpts of various opinions]
Mg Daung/peacock_[8888@yahoo.com] said....The subdued Prime Minister of NCGUB spoke softly and too humbly for an audience of influential UK parliamentarians. Zarni launched his verbal attack on Dr. Sein Win and the democracy movement by giving a lengthy introduction of himself and arguing that the military junta should not be labelled as dictator.
The chairperson of the meeting, Ms Ann Clwyd (Member of Parliament) tried to stop Zarni from giving a lengthy speech during the question and answer session.
Dr.Zarni concluded by making a comparison between the anti-apartheid campaign of South Africa and Burma. He claimed that the Nelson Mendala compromised with the apartheid regime in order to liberate South Africa and it is not an evident in the Burmese Democracy movement.
In response his statement on South Africa, the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament said he supported and actively took part in the anti-apartheid movement of South Africa and he particularly found several critics like Zarni but when the actual freedom came South Africa the point of views of critics proved wrong. Similarly, the analysis of the critics of the Burmese democracy movement would prove to be wrong when freedom actually comes in Burma.
Dr Sein Win explained to the audience that Dr Zarni must be missing the country by living in exile and frustrated for not being able to returned to Burma.
Dr Taung Thun made a direct remark to Zarni by pointing out to the audience that the Prospect Burma (set up with funds of Aung San Su Kyi' nobel peace prize) funded Zarni's education in exile and it is an irony that Aung Su Kyi is facing criticism from him.
DR. Zarni replied...Dr. Thaung Tun and I have known each other for about a decade. Maybe he had said what he said without really knowing what he was talking about - who financed my education. Maybe he opted for distortions in order to make his point.
I received a one-time only "partial grant" for my doctoral research, in the amount of £1,200 in 1995 (correct year?)- if my memory serves me well. Even if my entire education in the United States were funded by the Prospect Burma, which is far from being the case, nowhere in the Prospect Burma's mission statement - or any document PB grantees may have to sign - is it mentioned that "any Burmese student who has ever received a full or partial scholarship award from the charity must not hold or express views that are critical of either the NLD or Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
At the height of Pepsi Boycott, I received ONCE $6,000 (Six Thousands, US Dollars) from the Open Society Institute Supplementary Grants Program in New York. (If you consider OSI Scholarship Program a part of Burmese democracy movement, you should include this amount in your calculation of how my long career as a student was financed.)
*[excerpts from his email to women-group-burma at Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:32 pm, Subject: the UK parliment burma briefing]
Paw Tin" wrote...Now he, Dr Zarni, is telling the truth that he never participated in 1988.
He visited to Zarni Nyunt Aung house and requested for helping him to apply for asylum.
He started a Pepsi boycott campaign and formed Free Burma Coalition with the help from left wing American students who hate big corporations. With the help of the white American university students, Pepsi boycott campaign was a hit because not only American students participated in the campaign but also the Burmese activists such as Tun Myint, Khin Ohamma and others joined with him.
...his white supporters to leave him from his circle. Then he fired his associates ...
...Tun Kyaw Nyein, Bo Bo Kyaw Nyein and Dr. Khin
Saw Win and her husband left FBC. His old team left him and formed US campaign for Burma group. After that US Campaign for Burma gained support and trust from activists and supporters around the world...
*[excerpts from his email to NLDmembrsnSupportersofCRPPnNLDnDASSK@yahoogroups.com, at Mon, 13 Jun 2005 18:10:32 -0700]
UK.org, Collective comment:01 June 2005; Posted: 12 June 2005 [excerpts]
Why we criticize the NLD & NCUGB!
There have been a number of criticisms involving the NCGUB one being; it is a major blocking point which prevents any dialogue between the NLD and the SPDC.
...ASSK was not an elected representative of the NLD at the time of the 1990 elections, so therefore held no position of authority hence, giving her no right to sit at the debating table. It did not matter to the regime that her absence from the election was the result of their actions; as far as they were/are concerned she has no authority to hold political debate.
Sein Win, cousin to ASSK, with help from others, formed the NCGUB, and a number of elected NLD members of the 1990 elections, joined with them, to form what the NLD leadership regarded in truth, as an illicit party. The NLD members were effectively treated as renegades by their own party. While other members remained in Burma to stand their ground the NCGUB deserted to the US.
Kelvin Minn" attacked ...We just follow DASSK because she is our icon for freedom in Burma. Even she wont get democracy, but she is always a legend.How much did you have sacrificed for Burma? Have you done anything good to your country?If you done good things, why did u move to US? If its not from the US goverment, you wont be able to get asylum.
Dr Zarni commented...As reflected in the remarks that follow, a growing number of Burmese citizens, both abroad or in exile and within the country feel disappointed with the NLD leadership led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and its leading supporters in exile led by her cousin "Prime Minister" Dr. Sein Win.
We must compel our leaders to answer to the people. So, let's start with the nearest leaders of "our parallel government" or the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). Let's ask Dr. Sein Win some serious questions. Let's ask Dr. Thaung Tun who "represents" us and our people at the United Nations a few questions.
It is no longer acceptable for them to hide under this 15-year old, "mandate" from our fellow citizens.
*[excerpts from his emails to internet groups on Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:33 pm; Subject: A Wake-up Call to Fellow Exiles: Years and Millions Spent, but Nothing to Show for... ]
Derek Tonkin's opinions...I would be intrigued to know how Zar Ni was invited, and curious about how others who attended, who included a PR consultant and a known author on SE Asian affairs. I keep in touch with some of the members of the Group, but I suspect I know too much about political realities in Burma today ever to be invited to attend myself, not least because the Burma Campaign UK appear to act as the Group's principal external advisers, which effectively excludes anyone with a different view about how freedom, democracy and a genuine federalism in Burma might be achieved, other than through sanctions and isolation.
But now that Zar Ni is with us in the UK, perhaps the Group might feel that their horizons and sources of information about Burma might usefully be broadened. We shall see.
*[excerpts from his email to DfB on Tue, 14 Jun 2005 20:19:49 +0100]
ZAR NI: Compiler's Remark:
Burmese expats and exiles from different countries are speaking up.
The silent majority who have swallowed their critical view toward our dissident leaders, in all these years, for fear of being labelled SLORC/SPDC apologists or abused accordingly are now beginning to speak out.
In this posting, I am sharing with you comments sent to FBC list or me
personally or posted at the FBC Blog.
Think about it.
It's been 15 years since the people of Burma voted *against* the old one party military rule and *for* the National League for Democracy - or 17 years after they voted with their blood in 1988 uprisings. As reflected in the remarks that follow, a growing number of Burmese citizens, both abroad or in exile and within the country feel disappointed with the NLD leadership led by Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi and its leading supporters in exile led by her cousin "Prime Minister" Dr. Sein Win.
The people have indeed done their citizens' duties - protesting and voting have been done. What more do they want them to do?
The West has done all it could to support the popularly mandated leaders of the NLD and other parties. Our ethnic brethens and sisters have done their part; and amongst us, they have gotten the rawest deal.
And yet the generals - or more accurately, the military - is still power.
There is no sign of the SPDC implosion. It may still do; but politics is not alchemy.
We must therefore wait for no miracles, or saviors. So speak out and ask questions. Think for yourselves!!!
As you know, the country is going down the drain by all UN Human Development
measures.
The vast continent of Asia, especially our country's neighbors such as China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand, is minding its own business, as it were.
When western companies left, the Asian counterparts are too happy to walk in.
None that matters in our country's politics is not about to join either the Hollywood celebrities and high profile Western politicians in their pro-NLD push. We appreciate Westerners' empathy and moral support. We appreciate Western governments' doles meant to advance the cause of freedom in our land and alleviate the sufferings of our fellow men and women back home.
But we must ask questions.
We must compel our leaders to answer to the people. So, let's start with the nearest leaders of "our parallel government" or the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). Let's ask Dr. Sein Win some serious questions. Let's ask Dr. Thaung Tun who "represents" us and our people at the United Nations a few questions.
It is no longer acceptable for them to hide under this 15-year old, "mandate" from our fellow citizens.
No single leader or organization, NLD or SPDC, has monoply over truth,
especially the truth about how to move our country forward. Our fellow citizens inside Burma can not speak for themselves. For political liberties are few and far between for them. Therefore, it is up to us who are privileged enough to access the Internet or radio stations to speak out.
Do not forget: all that has been sought or done or gained is in the name of our fellow citizens back home and in our name.
Our fellow citizens back home can not speak for themselves. So we must speak out, if we believe in the notion of "the leadership/government of, for and by the people." It is our citizens' duties to hold those who lead us accountable
and answerable. Let's start with our exiled opposition leadership as a practice run. This is a critical skill we will need, when freedom and democracy eventual come or develop in our land, whenever.
So here is the first question!
For the past at least 15 years, millions of dollars, sterling pounds, Euros and Cronas - yes, indeed literally millions - all, in the name of our freedom struggle.
What exactly is the return from these pro-freedom dollars, aside from the fact that glories has been gained, influence sought and retained, and name made?
But what of the people?
Yes, the people, lest we forget about them, in this epic struggle in their name!!
Yes, the farmers, the working men and women, the teachers, the rick-shaw drivers, the food vendors, the artists, the writers, the rick-drivers, the smugglers, the traders, the maids, the prostitutes, the children,....
Millions of them....who have checked out of this struggle. For they have to live and earn living.
And they are bored. They are no longer inspired by our leaders or us, the dissidents. They are alienated by both "the oppressors" and "the liberators".
They hate the opppressors. They are let down by the anticipated-be-liberators.
Think about them!
How have our leaders and their "pro-isolation" efforts helped them?
How has, under their leadership, their/our cause of freedom been advancing?
How are we to meaure its advances? In inch? In metric system? In
pshchological terms? In spiritual terms? In political terms? In public relations terms? In terms of personal glories?
The billionaire/philanthropist George Soros has chipped in millions (average 1.2-2 million US Dollars a year, net funding amount earmarked for Burma under his New York-based Open Society Institute since 1994, which would be between 15-20 million US$). The National Endowment for Democracy, a Congressionally mandated non-profit, has doled out millions to the Burmese dissidents. The NCGUB would know, because they have been one of the biggest recipients of American tax payers' money.
Technically, Congressionally-mandated funds or grants can not be used to lobby Congress or it would be in violation of the US law. "Our cause" or Doh-aye has powerful champions and patrons in US Congress, breaking law, in the apparently tacit nod of those in high places. But that's another story. And for the American tax payers to deal with - not for us the Burmese. (It is hardly surprising that "our exile leaders" such as Dr. Thaung Tun or Dr. Sein Win from the parallel government get away with this unlawful practice in the
United States.)
The monies - millions - have been spent on on both legitimate and illegitimate, both moral and shady, activities in the name of freedom of Burmese people. All in the name of faddish "capacity building" "national reconciliation" "strategy development" - and you name it.
What do they, the leaders, have to show for, in terms of their accomplishments?
Here is a set of criteria we should use to evaluate how our dissident leaders and leading dissidents are doing, toward freedom's march in our homeland:
1). the tangible or psychological impact of their anti-military policies and lobbying on generals:
How many of you, my fellow exiles, believe that the NCGUB, as the exiled government, has changed, for better, the behavior of the generals or weakened the latter's resolve to remain the country's dominant political player?
2). the progressive decline of the strength of the NLD or ethnic minority resistance;
Who amongst you, my fellow exiles, believe that the NCGUB and its efforts to support the National League for Democracy have strenthened the NLD leadership's bargaining position?
3). last not least, the improvement of the general well-being of the Burmese people, on whose back or shoulders they have been standing.
As a farmer in Prof. Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung - an ethnic Karen, Burmese citizen, remarked pointedly:
"I will still have to farm if there is a democratic government, or a military government, or a communist government... I don't really care what type of government we have, as long as the country remains peaceful and consumer prices
are low and stable."
Have the opposition's efforts addressed the farmers' concern in any way, shape or form?
The young intellectuals at Mizzima are screaming their head for the need for "New Blood" in the NLD and for our cause. The Irrawaddy yearns for a real leadership. Seventeen years on, what have they/we got to show for?
Seventeen years on, the night for our people is still pitch-dark.
Leadership is not divine nor is genetic. Democracies or efforts at
democratization are all about citizens, not about leaders,civilian or soldiers.
Neither are they about parties or organizations.
Wake up, my fellow exiles!
Speak up and speak out your mind!
How many more years are we expected to rally behind the people who cannot lead?
How many more years are we expected to keep quiet, when we see the isolation of our country is not advancing "our cause" or "Do-aye"?
It is better late than never. The Burma night cannot get any darker than the mid-night, as we say in our country.
So speak out and speak up! Ask questions!! It is your citizens' duties.
"Anade" or psycho-cultural retardation is a trait unfit for those who dare to think of a new order in our land. Be civil, but be direct and truthful! Be political, but don't be personal.
Be "A-yine" or "unpolished" like our role model. the late U Aung San!
Be fearless with your views, as his daughter, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, exhorts all of us. She wants our movement to be the revolution of the spirit! Showing respect for her demands that you/we practice what she preaches!
So speak up and speak out! Ask questions, if you want democracy!
* Prof. Kanbawza Win (Dr. B.T.Win): Incumbent Dean of Students of AEIOU Programme, Chiangmai University, Thailand. Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Asian Studies, Under the European Commission, Brussels, Belgium. Earlier Consultant to National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Editorial Consultant, " Asian Tribune."
The following is a personal letter written to Henry Soe Win by his comrade Prof. Dr. Win (Kanbawza Win) and Henry Soe Win has taken the liberty to share it with all of us.
* Henry Soe Win : Pro-democracy activist since 1974 U Thant Uprising; Took up refuge in Australia. Founder, Democracy for Burma (D4B Listserv). Studied at Rangoon Institute of Technology.
Dear Henry ,
I send these lines with the hope and trust that they will find you in the best of health and in much better spirit than mine being myself cynical and prostrate because of the disconsolations in the so called Burmese democracy camp. As a 7th July student and a septuagenarian I know that I will soon have to take my rightful place of six feet under the ground joining my comrades. Obviously my dream of witnessing a modern Federal Union Burma seems to be fading day by day and is unable to answer the question to myself of are we really fit for democracy?
One of the last straw that break my back is the Myanmar group washing dirty linen in the public, a scenario I could never contemplate. Of course I myself is often critical of the Nagote Group (NCGUB) literally translated in Burmese means because of a crocked horns, the bull always hurt itself whenever it tries to gorge another one, but when it come to dealing with foreign groups or the Junta we stand behind in a united front no matter how lax the leadership may be. However, to air it out in the British all Party Parliamentary Group which is a crocus group of the UK cross party parliamentarians interested in issues relating to Burma is beyond our comprehension and reveals that something is very rotten in the functioning of the Burmese Diaspora itself. I am not arguing about the freedom of speech and expression, but what I am emphasizing is the unwritten rules, which as a civilized people should observe and show respect to each other even to our enemies. Now it is very lamentable that the cat has been let out of the bag.
No one can argue that Dr Zar Ni is an upcoming intellectual activist and is one's discretion to agreed or disagree with him and he like anyone has got the right of expression. However to challenge Dr Sein Win in the British Parliament group is not the right place or the right thing to do with the media picking up the story, is what I personally construed. Again if looking from Dr. Zarni's perspective is that if he does not take this golden opportunity he might missed the chance once and for all, as there is no platform whatever for the lively discussion of the Burmese politics by the Burmese intellectuals. Not that I am saying that a soft spoken, smiling simpleton Dr. Sein Win could square up with a fiery, determined Dr Zar Ni but the set up and the system or rather the institution of Nagote itself is that under the smokescreen if being an elected representative shut off every other person. The crux of it is that these Nagote members work in a gang with a typical Myanmar mentality of placing jealously in the forefront e.g. Kofi Annan will have to give up its UN Secretary General post after his term expired in December, whereas Dr Thoung Htun will always be the Burmese UN representative, so also is Dr Sein Win. They have placed themselves in an invulnerable position. Not that I equating with the Junta whose obsession is to maintain power but Nagote`s self supporting and unqualified leadership is at a lost of how to recruit the upcoming intelligentsia, activist like Dr Zarni and others to its advantage.
On the other hand if we were to look back at the history of Dr. Zarni, he has been selected to study in American where he manage to organize the FBC successfully and widening his horizons and so on. But remember he comes from a family of military background (I am not accusing him of anything) whereas Dr Sein Win's background is well known. What I am pointing out is that the gene of these two persons is not the same what in Burmese calls Bee Sa. Dr Zarni's approach falters when Khin Nyunt was knock out and jokingly we may label as "Myaut Thit Kaing Lute" meaning the monkey missed his jump in catching a branch and become a wounded tiger and since then been endeavouring to soften the international punitive impact on the Junta by every means. The rest you can judge, I am stopping here.
So Henry, you may ask me Uncle, what are you? I am just an old teacher and did not belong to any group doing what little things I can. But the irony is that the Myanmar group portrayed me as an ethnic activist while the ethnics look askance as a pro Burman and nobody likes me because I speak up what they don't want to hear not that I have the monopoly of truth.
However, everybody has to admit that the core leaders of the resistance groups (both democracy and ethnic) and inside Burma are ageing. The other day I was looking at the picture of the EN group and the only young person Harn tries to look old with his moustache while in the NLD the only young lady will be celebrating her 60th birthday solitarily. The point is that, are we passing the baton of leadership to our younger generation and more importantly is the younger generation worthy and well equip enough to carry on the struggle? With young Dr Zarni, whom we have pinned much hope, taking on the Nagote in London have shattered my dream. With this kind of generation gap, and experience it have blurred my vision of future Burma. I am really afraid that the reckless young generation are heading for Balkanisation and more bloodshed?
A classic examples is that when the renegades Tiger and Khun Hom declared independence, the Junta has a good pretext of launching a new wave of ethnic cleansing and more than 3,000 Shan fled to the border area. Immediate resources is needed and I have to go round the Churches and Buddhist monastery taking whatever relieve goods we could marshalled to send it to the refugees and not a single resistance group help. What more, no Myanmar group in Diaspora would send a word of sympathy to these suffering ethnic people? In our struggle, where the brute force of the Burmese army is countered by declarations, not a single declarations was issued for this mammoth ethnic cleansing. In other words what more proof is wanted that no Myanmar cared for its ethnic brethren not to mention lifting a finger to help. Is this the kind of Pyidaungsu we are opting for? How can the ethnic trust the Myanmar resistance forces in Diaspora?
Okay! you may reason that Thailand is a far away from the West where the majority of the Myanmar Diaspora groups reside e.g. Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. There are thousands of Burmese people residing in these twin cities because of its blooming economy and on week ends they gathered in their designated place for fellowship. But paradoxically birds of a feather flock together. The Myanmar will not mix with the non- Myanmar like the Chin or the Mon and vice versa. Neither will they invite each other e.g. on special occasions like Thingyan and Thadingyut the Myanmar would not invite the Chin Christian nor the Chin invites the Myanmar Buddhist during Christmas and so on. You may argue that this is an inter-religious ceremony but the odd thing is that the Myanmar Buddhist will not go to the Mon Buddhist monastery and vice versa. In a free country like America why did the Myanmar and the non-Myanmar cannot go along with each other when every body is crying Pyidaungsu? Why is there no corporation or correlation when we are fighting on the same side? Is this augurs well for a Federal Union of Burma?
The conflicts and problems between the majority Myanmar and the ethnic minorities began many years ago and have escalated to the highest intensity. Under the military dictatorship's tyranny, anti-Myanmar feeling in the ethnics has increased in volume and has become bitter with hatred. The ethnic nationalities of Burma now distrust whatever the Myanmar says because of innumerable lies. An uneasy unity can be found on the surface, but hatred and hostility are fixed inside the minds of the ethnic groups in Burma. Even those who left Burma and migrated all over the world also hate the Myanmar as bitterly as the minorities within Burma do. It is a very dangerous situation for the future of Burma. And yet the Diaspora Myanmar are doing nothing and just banging on their computers arguing and putting on their theories. In this hypocritical atmospheres the military dictators were able to take advantage of the country's political weaknesses and disunity in order to take control. The ethnic leaders knew very well that if they were to leave the democratic Myanmar and the Junta Myanmar to fight it out, the latter would surely come out as a victor. So obviously with a view of genuine federalism where they could reside side by side in peaceful coexistence they sided with the democratic forces. In the late 80s and early 90s they stand shoulder to shoulder in repelling the Junta's forces, the blood of the ethnic fighters and that of the pro democracy forces are red and cannot be distinguished one from the other. But as of now the majority of the Myanmar fighters have left the jungles and are giving their cold shoulders to the ethnic causes. Pragmatism is solely lacking in our struggle.
Hence in a nutshell we can ask two questions. Are the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi working for the process of democracy for the people, or are the people sacrificing their lives and their hopes for the fame and success of Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD? Before the military takeover in 1988 and after the election in 1990,Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD had several chances to build democracy in Burma. Rather than seize the moment, they neglected or opposed these chances. Now several voices have crop up between the Myanmar themselves questioning the policies of the NLD of which the show down between Sein Win and Zarni is but one. Are we ethnics going to clap our hands and looked. No we are terribly sorry that the two people from the same side are fighting in public. It seems now that unity between the Myanmar is more crucial than the unity with the ethnic forces. It also proves that if we put two Myanmar in a cell they will form three political parties come true.
Restoring democracy and human rights is not just a dream, so our thoughts and theories should be applicable to all people in all walks of life. Narrow-minded ideas based on own party, own strata, own segment, own religion, own ethnicity should be avoided, and authentic unity should be built for all persons. Strict avoidance of those who talk like braggarts and seek only personal gain by oppressing weaker groups is gone. In Burma and in Diaspora there are many parties, groups and organizations talking about democracy. However, though they may talk about democracy, in reality they fight one another just like previous dictators did before them. Now the ethnics are watching with dismay at hypocrites Myanmar goes for each other's throat.
Dear Henry, I think I have written long enough and am closing now but if you think clearly you will have to accept that why do we have to fight democracy and human rights. It is because of the military coup since 1962. Why did the military take over? The answer is because the so call Burmese democratic government cannot solve the ethnic problems. Yet, today I am surprised that the Diaspora Myanmar is doing nothing to solve this problem? So if we were to prevail and have democracy and human rights today, do you think the ethnic problem will be solved with this kind of attitude. No! I am quite sure that the vicious cycles will starts again. The scenario is somewhat similar to the Muslim World, the good Muslim did nothing to solve the existing problem and so the extremist takeover and brought out Osmar bin Laden tarnishing the image of Muslim. So also if the good Myanmar and the good ethnics nationalities did nothing the extremist have made their presence felt and will soon came to the forefront that will lead either to Balkanization or the ethnic groups caste in the history books of vanishing tribes. So with a heavy heart may I close?
So long
Uncle Win
-----
P.S.:
Dr Zarni is currently a Visiting Fellow at the University of London Institute of Education.
Just after we finished our Chinese translation and edition, we received Dr. Zarni's email, quoted as follows:
Quote of the Day:
"Western supporters of Daw Suu have not failed her; but their policies have
failed the people of my country."
This FBC Posting contains:
1). Together, we can join forces to make Burma the new South Africa
2). Isolating Burma will not help Aung San Suu Kyi
Western corporations depart Burma, their Asian investors, are quick to
fill the vacant seats.
The best birthday present her supporters could give "Daw Suu" is to help to
re-integrate her country, both the regime and the society, into the world's
community and economy.
Daw Suu's supporters are well meaning and their heart is in the right place.
But in any country under prolonged sanctions and isolation, the people are the
ones who pay the heaviest price, not the generals.
_(博讯自由发稿区发稿) (boxun.com)
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