BURMA DIGEST

Leader of the ABSDF. Chairman of the Democratic Party for a New Society. One of the best known 8888 dissidents. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? But, beyond all his achievements, Ko Moe Thee Zun is someone who knows a lot and has got a lot to tell.

In many ways, he is a perfectionist. Seeing, with realism, but without ever exaggerating the flaws of today’s and tomorrow’s political leaders, he is teaching us all a lesson of responsibility. In moments of confusion and of despair, when we can’t take the justice anymore, how come that we carry on the struggle? In moments like this, we tend to draw a line and ask: what have we achieved yet? Could we have done more? Where are we now?

Moe Thee Zun’s pledge is not for abstract concepts. It is not for those to come to forget what they are really fighting for. It is simply for PEOPLE. For people who are tired of waiting in endless queues in front of food stores, of having to give bribes every day and for every step they make, for people who are tired of being humiliated.

Burma Digest: At this moment, what are your views and feelings concerning Burma's Democracy Movement?

Moe Thee Zun: Well, there are two different kinds of activities in our movement: outside activities and inside activities. Let's say outside movement is getting accelerating, but inside is subtle, it’s quiet; there are several reason I think: severe suppression by current regime, economics hardship and lack of political institutions and leadership for people; that makes the movement slow down.

Burma Digest: In the present conditions, do you think that efficient coordination and collaboration between the two is possible?

Moe Thee Zun:: To answer that is yes; we have to coordinate inside and outside activities. At the moment , there are a lot of challenges in front of us: poor communication, different opinion among leaders and activists, lack of funding for inside activities, so that we need to reconstruct our revolution.

Burma Digest: Talking about revolutions, anyway, what are your feelings and memories concerning the 8/8/'88 uprising? What did that period of Burma's history mean to you?

Moe Thee Zun:: I feel like we lost an great opportunity. We were almost to win during 88, we were planning to found interim government led by U Nu, but some leaders did not support U Nu.

Burma Digest: Why do you think the 8888 uprising failed to overthrow the dictatorship?

Moe Thee Zun: U Nu had not got support from popular leaders at time, but he got support from students, but too late and the military took control situation. The mission of 88 was to found civilian government.

Moe Thee Zun: Those were not elections, that is second time we lost. In 1990 election, we got a chance again.

Moe Thee Zun: What NLD leaders should have done is was to call parliament and found civilian government; of course, the military could suppress when NLD called parliament, but that time, people and international community were able to involve to supprt NLD attempt to install democracy process but NLD failed their duty or their mission; the mission was not completed. If leaders are confused, the consequences are high. What we see now in Burma’s situation -- HIV, internally displaced persons, refugees, economic hardship, are consequences of confusing leadership.

Burma Digest: What action do you expect the international community to take concerning Burma's case?

Moe Thee Zun: Support what US government bring up Burmese issue in UNSC, I mean especially Russia and China.

Burma Digest: Do you think imposing economical sanctions to Burma would be a good thing?

Moe Thee Zun: Well, that is a good question. Imposing economic sanctions is basically good, but it should be follow by time frame and detail program; it would be more effective. I mean , now US stages sanctions against the regime, but ASEAN should follow US initiatives, they should stop economic dealing with regime and US also should set another step and, therefore, the international community should give more pro-active action. I mean, now the regime is still able to survive, they are selling gas and natural resources to China, so that China’s role is very important. To balance China, only US can play effective role; : US need to organize China, ‘cause Burma issue will threat international security. Burmese regime has nuclear ambition. They have close relation with Russia now. I think Burma will be next Iran for US. Burmese political Philosophy is same like Taliban value and norm; they are promoting a wrong way of nationalism.

Burma Digest: After quite a long period spent abroad from your country, maybe you could tell us: how do you think what is happening in Burma is seen from outside? Do you think people from the USA and from other democratic country are aware and able to understand what's going on in Burma?

Moe Thee Zun: Yes.. we have been outside for almost 18 years.The way of thinking, the values and style are getting changed between the two communities;we get information but it is not enough to judge wat is going on Burma.

Burma Digest: Now, that so many people from all around the world are getting involved and doing their best to help Burma's democracy movement, do you think we can say yet that there is a global movement for freedom in Burma?

Moe Thee Zun: As in the theory of Physics - I used to study Physiscs in RASSU in 1988, there is no work without movement. The international community helps a lot, but the situation is not improving.

Moe Thee Zun: We need to target it the right way ‘cause the regime doesn't care and inside people don't know what we are doing here. The media also should change their presentation.

Moe Thee Zun: Media- especially, BBC, VOA, DVB and RFA are major media for Burma. What they are presenting now is only producing “why?”, not “how”. mean- they tell story about human-rights violation and economics problem, but they forget to tell people how to liberate themselves and they lose confidence. Only giving information about human-rights abuses is gradually psychologically damaging people mind, we need to give treatment by telling how they can prevent or resist human-right violation. I mean, the media needs to educate people, not torture again.

Burma Digest: You know, a lot of the readers of the Burma Digest are worldwide campaigners for freedom in Burma. What advice would you give to them?:

Moe Thee Zun: Sometimes, activists need to create their activities from the outside. Protesting in front of an embassy is not a revolution; it is a campaign, mostly not effective- they don't care. Revolution is hope and vision.

Burma Digest: What comes into your mind when you think about the future? How do you think Burma's future will be in, let's say, twenty years from now on?

Moe Thee Zun: Tough question…: If we effectively make a movement, we will win within a few years. If we are doing the same stupid mistake that will go another 40 years; a revolution can win anytime if it has perfect strategy, especially democratic movements do not take too long in attracting international attention; only Burma is to start earlier than other but we have seen the hope and vision of victory. We need to rethink; in what we did there were great mistakes, : revolution is interest. Get what belongs to you, your freedom, your land and your food. It’s not just about boosting democracy, or federal or human right, people want their own interest. We need to encourage people what they can get in this movement, their land, their food and their freedom. Words like democracy , 1990 election , Daw Aung San Suu Kyi new award are not interesing for people. Fight for food, land and freedom.

Burma Digest: What can we, citizens of the world, do in order to help Burma's democracy movement?

Moe Thee Zun: You guys can do a lot. 1- make campaign in populated areas in your city, 2- organize more people involvement, 3- target the leader of SPDC economics activities by protesting 4- lobby you guys government and senators to support UNSC to take action against regime.

Ko Ko Aung - 090-1506-2893

Ko Htun Aung Kyaw - 080-6587-8459

Ko Than Htike Oo- 090-2563-780

Ko Naing Gyi- US- 646-413-863

I feel the sympathy for my exiles, including Ko Moe Thee Zun. His interview reflects the revolutionary fairytale dream of most exiles still enjoying the chosen glory of 1988 people’s uprising.

However, when the uprising dream becomes faded, such as the failure of the 9999 and the current Demo 2006 “6666” campaigns, the exiles turned their uprising dreams into the actions by the security council. Ko Moe Thee Zun’s article reflects the general sentiment of most exiles.

I wish he understands the nature of Security Council’s actions, especially issues directly provoking Chapter 7. The reason of the obstacle is not only from Russia and China. To make it clear, the Burma issue was not debated at the UNSC’s floor. It just evolves as a side-line issue. Even US, UK and France are not very knee to bring the Burma issue under Chapter 7 because of various reasons.

Burma’s pro-democracy struggle did not evolve as a romantic movement of democratic ideas. It is the product of the dissatisfaction of the regime, stimulated by a wave of dreams. Now, the exiles, including those activists inside, are still living in the dreams. It is good to have dreams. It is also important to realize not all dreams come true.

Yes! HIS VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE VERY VALUABLE FOR US TO FIGHT SPDC AND WE NEEDS MORE POINTS TO DO IN INSIDE BURMA. I WILL TRY TO IMPLEMENT HIS VIEWS AND I WILL RELAY PEOPLE WHO ARE INSIDE BURMA. CHEERS!!!!!

I think, we should not regret and blame each other for our failures to capitalize those opportunities in the past.

It is clear that poor strategic vision, confusion of leadership, unable categorization between campaign and revolution, more talks and meetings than actions, wrong presentations of revolution to both Burmese and non-Burmese were the causes why we are still in exile and cannot overthrow the military regime and could not get the opportunity to develop our country. Ko Moe Thee Zun pointed out the weaknesses with an excellent vision. Only the people who know the strengths and weaknesses of both sides can win wars, even in a small business competition.

We need to accept our past failures first.
Then take lessons and initiate new strategic, tactical and operation plans.

If not, our revolution will look like 'wai lay lay' game. When some people focus on human rights, all put their efforts there. When some people focus UNSC, all say UNSC and leave other things.

The strength of the unity is good. But delegated functions under a good command of leadership with a strong sense of unity is more effective.

Now our revolution needs the leaders who can delegate various functions to various people with good vision. We do not need the leaders with the slogan of 'i will go to the embassy to demonstrate. If u come, u r doing revolution and if u not come, u r the SPDC supporter'.

Thank you Ko Moetheezun, your words are valuable to fight the dictatorship system.

Dear Ko Moe Thee, you've said it; needs only actions to complete the picture! Right?
Let's figure out how to carry on the fight to achieve our objective - freedom and democracy for Burma.
In that respect, I believe you need to organize, build up, and then act.
If that's the case, let's get 'connected' and 'build up' our strength - quality and quantity - and we can follow up with 'actions' to achieve our victory.
What do you think?
And all the others who are striving to liberate Burma from military rule, what do you think about - UNITY, STRENGTH, and ACTION - as I have pointed out?
If these - prerequisites for our victory over the military regime in Burma - strike your fancy, mean anything to you, then you will know, why, when, how and with whom you start your good work!
Then, let's get started comrade. The people of Burma are waiting for our return to help them out of their present HELL HOLE in Burma!

Good questions and excellent answers, I do have disagreements and agreements with Ko Moe Thee Zun. I was too young to understand about politic in 1988, but he should have known that U Nu was not popular any more in Burmese Politic at that time, and most of the people had lost trust U Nu even though you managed to form interim Government. Ne Win was clever enough to destroy the movement and handed over power to the Saw Maung. I do agree about the situation about our movement now; to be honest, not disrespectful to anybody, sometimes, I feel like if you never been to prison, they do not think you are politician! Too many small organizations and too many statements are another problem. Mistrust to each other is also endless and boring story. Anyway, well done Ko Moe Thee Zun, I value your opinion and let's keep exercising our freedom of expression.

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