Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Meaningful Dialogue Needs Courage [Commentary]

By Htet Aung October 29, 2007
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=9140

Burma's current situation presents an unambiguous demand for structural political change to save its people from the economic whirlpool.

This fact is not based on political theories nor on predictions, but on the socio-economic decline leading to the Buddhist monks-led September uprising.

Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his generals appear to recognize this and have begun very slow but inevitable steps to engage the country's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, in the midst of mounting international pressure.

As a military general, Than Shwe needs courage to accept the reality of the country's general failure under his rule. He has to draw on courage to recognize Suu Kyi and her role in the future politics of the country, and to work together with the democratic forces, including the National League for Democracy and ethnic political parties.

A good example is provided by the process of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa. The leaders of two diametrically opposed hostile camps, Nelson Mandela and F W de Klerk were honored by the international community and shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Despite the racist policies and human rights abuses of his government, de Klerk regained a position of dignity within South Africa and in international politics. He achieved rehabilitation through his deeds—an example the Burmese generals should take by holding a meaningful dialogue with Suu Kyi.

The good will and courage shown by de Klerk helped lead his country from turmoil to peace. Than Shwe needs such will and courage.

The formation of the first multiracial government of the post-apartheid era in South Africa showed the importance of true reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between the black and white people of that country.

De Klerk accepted the post of vice president, while Mandela led the new government as president—a previously unimaginable pairing. Their two political parties shared ministerial positions fairly.

Than Shwe and his generals need to seek a way to work together with opposition political parties in this way.

After many years of confrontation and enmity, the two divided populations of South Africa came together to rebuild their country. Why can't Burmese military leaders walk such a noble path?

The economic and other sanctions imposed by the United States, EU and, most recently, Australia are sure to be lifted when Than Shwe shows the world tangible political progress, of which the first step will be the release of all political prisoners.


"At the present time, the enemy of the generals is their fear itself,
and they need to overcome it if they want to survive the battle "


This first step is what Suu Kyi as well as the international community want to see as an indicator of a genuine meaningful dialogue. The generals can catch two birds with one stone. They are in a win-win situation, as the state-run media made clear recently.

Their one-sided command of the game is now effectively over. Twenty years is more than enough time for a government to prove tangible results of progress in the country’s economic and social sectors. In a normal democracy, this period of time would cover three successive administrations.

The only possible progress the regime can show for its 20 years in power is confined to just two sectors—transportation and irrigation. Roads, bridges and dams have been built, but at a big cost to the population in terms of human rights violations, forced labor and the displacement of entire communities.

It’s certainly time for the Burmese regime to admit the failure of its economic and social policies. The generals can't hide their "failed governance" any longer. But it can be amended if they, like de Klerk, have the courage to face reality.

Suu Kyi once said: "The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear." South Africa's Mandela expressed a similar sentiment when he wrote: "The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Soldiers are never afraid to kill their enemy, but they fear to lose the battle. At the present time, the enemy of the generals is their fear itself, and they need to overcome it if they want to survive the battle.

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