BURMA DIGEST

BURMA DIGEST

08.10.2006

Printable Version

Burma Digest Current Issue

Burma Digest Old Issues

Burma Digest Catalogue & Gallery

Burma Digest Extra

Burma Digest Newsroom

Burma Digest Blog

Burma Digest RSS

^Join Democracy for Burma Alliance

Our Comrades

Our Team

Unless we do something Effective

_ by Sek Kyar Hein

Dear People, don't expect much from the international community. They are not going to lift a finger until and unless we do something effective and substantial to dislodge military rule in Burma.

Though we have a very slim hope in our man in the White House, who has the habit of going after bad guys, still we cannot expect much from him at the moment, as he is getting his hands full with Middle East and others.

Therefore, it depends entirely on the NLD leadership in Burma, to do something about the country's dilemma as at present.

Yes, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo are still kept incommunicado. So what? There are still other leading figures in the NLD. What are they doing now? They are still waiting for Bush, Blair or Kofi. If that's the case, then we can say 'good-bye' to Burma's freedom and democracy.

What we need now is their 'initiative' and specifically, their 'courage' to stand up for the people of Burma, whom they are representing at the moment. Daw Suu, U Tin Oo, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Suu Suu Nway and countless others have shown their ilk, color and courage. What are the other leading figures in the NLD waiting for especially, at this moment, while the country is weeping.

The people in Burma are hard pressed on all sides as Than Shwe is keeping them on their toes - political, economic and social chaos - in order that they cannot look back at what he (Than Shwe) is doing. And the military misfit is also running wild at the moment as you all know.

Today, he is going all out on his way to establish his eternal military rule of Burma. He is going to revive his oft-stalled and long dead National Convention which we dubbed the Sham Show for non-inclusion of the NLD and the elected representatives of the 1990 elections as a starter and will proceed all down the line as per his Seven Step Road Map to Nowhere (Democracy). Once we let him have his way, we will all be done for, like the Americans say.

Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Suu Suu Nway and others in Burma are no doubt having their agendas to bring down the curtain on military rule in Burma. They are very vocal and critical of the junta at all times today and as a start. I solemnly salute them for this. Also, my heart is very heavy with the thought that at this rate, they will be 'roped in' again like before. In case this happens who's going to do anything about them. I see no one to do anything about them at the moment.

And Than Shwe knows that also. That's why he is bluffing the NLD while instilling fear into the NLD members and supporters.

Let's figure out what to do next at the moment.

Than Shwe has publicized to revive his dead baby - the National Convention, the Sham Show - to press ahead with his ploy to establish a military dynasty in Burma.

RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES is what we need. Today, Burma is in this state of affairs, because military thugs who know only how to pull a trigger and kill people are running the country, that's why! And some ethnic groups who were seasoned fighters are leaving the revolution for greener pastures. Practically, there is no one left to fight the SPDC other than the ABSDF led by our brave Than Ghe'.

As for the opposition alliances based overseas, they cannot do other than holding demonstrations and whatnot to garner international awareness of Burma's prevailing plight under Than Shwe's heel. They can't do much either than kicking up some dust and throw criticisms on Than Shwe and his gang of thieving thugs on a regular basis.

We don't hear much from the OLD GUARD of the NLD saying anything effective or substantial against military rule in Burma. Only hanging onto a 'legitimate” stand would not suffice and serve the cause. Those people who are taking the helm of the NLD at present, in the absence of Daw Suu and U Tin Oo, have the obligation and responsibility to kick up some dust in order that things become lively and moving which will ultimately lead to the military misfits putting their 'wrong feet' out. This will destabilize them and make them off-balance, and facilitate us in pushing them off the way and into oblivion. Dancing only to the tunes played by Than Shwe will not serve our purpose other than like the rats drowned in the river, when the Pied Piper of Hamelin led them to the precipice and down into the ravine and river below.

Of course, Than Shwe has his guns trained on the people in Burma. But the point is dare he pull the trigger! I don't think so. And I firmly believe also that the majority of his people in the armed forces of Burma are against the occurrence of another blood bath the likes of a 1988 one. Today's armed forces personnel are not like those in 1988. They are questioning their superiors about what course of action to be taken in order to restore freedom and peace in the country. That's why Than Shwe is hurrying up with his Sham Show as a start in his bid to give a semblance of legitimacy to this otherwise illegal rule lasting nearly two decades until today. This would serve him in many ways, among them legitimizing his rule and most specifically, to quiet down dissent in his armed forces. He cannot continue his hard-line military rule any longer, in lieu of both domestic and international pressures bearing down on him as at present and others; injustices on the people and on his own military personnel as known. Once he fires a shot, Than Shwe's rule will certainly come to an end. No pain no gain folks!

And the people in Burma are also ready to face the military thugs if only the leadership in the NLD says so. Sitting only on 'legitimacy' no longer serves any purpose in Burma today. What Burma needs today is the initiative and courage of the NLD leadership as the students and the people are looking up to the NLD for any sign or signal to go against the military thugs.

The leading figures in the NLD ought to be taking initiatives in every guise and form to affect a 'civil disobedience' campaign countrywide as a start. Then gradually go on from there until a 'mass movement' comprising of students, the clergy and the people all galvanized like in 1988 culminates out of the process countrywide. Then the international community will follow suit and Than Shwe will be forced to cave in.

When the people take to the streets countrywide the soldiers will join the populace also, as they have shown in 1990 elections where no military backed candidate got elected even in the cantonment areas!

Unlike in 1988, today's Armed Forces of Burma are also on a quandary over the leadership of Than Shwe and his present gang. Only if the people in all unity and courage demand their freedom and democracy, I bet, the soldiers will join the people as they are in dire straits like the people in all aspects of life, while Than Shwe and his elite people are enjoying their lives and privileges. The soldiers are not dumb enough to save Than Shwe's hide today by sacrificing theirs. They know the game already. This time Than Shwe will be left on his own and the only way to save his worthless hide would be to run into China and for good also.

This only leaves the NLD leadership to figure out how to bring this scenario to reality. Nothing will happen as long as they sit on and hang onto 'legitimacy' only in their hands. They need to start figuring and moving as they are responsible for the people they have pledged to take care of and make their lives worthwhile and prosperous. Hence, the people have given their precious 'votes' in the 1990 elections, which Than Shwe is desperately trying to declare null and void.

He can do it 'over our dead bodies'! That should be the slogan to be heralded by the remaining leadership in the NLD.

(Please sign the petition “We Want our Student Leaders Released Immediately”)

Your Comments here_