03.09.2006
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My Opinion: Democracy doesn’t come packed in a neat little parcel
_ By S. N. Oo
Inside Burma, it seems more and more people are becoming infected with HIV/AIDS virus; this is very frightening, but what is more dangerous and frightening is the virus PAG, Power, Anger and Greed that has infected the brains and minds of members of the military regime of Burma. First only the Generals were contracted with the disease, but now this disease has by force and indoctrination spread to all the officers, soldiers and their supporters. This virus is very dangerous because it affects the reasoning power of the Human brains and implants them with anger and hate for those who dare to reason and act differently.
To counteract the opposition they build up power with ammunition and force, and nurture their greed by any means and become capable of terrible deeds. They have lost their sense of responsibility, consideration and compassion towards other people and have forgotten that after all they are of the same human species.
The SPDC not only employs mechanical but also psychological weapons against its opposition. Through the continual process of day to day systematic institutionalisation of distorted facts, discrimination and mistreatment the victims have become part of the system.
As for the rest of the citizens of Burma other than the daily routine of religious affairs they are ordered to stay away from politics and as a result they have become paralysed by fear and adopted the culture of unconcern and silence. This culture has remained with some of those who have become exiled in foreign countries.
This situation has been going on for much too long and we must try to find a way to change it. Ko Sala declares that a change in Burma can arise instantly. I agree that this can happen but besides this the change could come about through international intervention leading to a tripartite talk, through mass demonstration or through resistant fighters. Whichever way the change occurs, all the ethnic nationals of Burma, the Burmans, Shans, Karens, Karenni, Chins, Kachins, Arakanese, the Mons as well as others should be well prepared.
Out of the above methods that could occur I support the idea of having world wide demonstration by all peoples of Burma, inside and outside calling for a true democracy in Burma. This movement could be supported by like- minded international communities and governments. I believe U Win Chet and Dr. Salai Tun have called for Burmese activists to participate in their revolutionary plans. I congratulate them for their daring scheme and this could be the beginning of something big. But, the scheme has to be well planned and systematic in order to provide a successful result. The rule should also be that you should engage with the enemy only if you are certain to win, and with as little risk as possible Dr. Salai Tun and U Win Chet cannot succeed by themselves. For the scheme to be successful all the people of Burma have to take part. The ethnic nationals Burma may differ in tradition, language and religion but they all have the same denominator, to be free and treated like human beings. With the common denominator in mind all peoples of Burma should work together as a team. The scheme will be better accomplished if fuelled by teamwork. “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress; working together is success”. But, before coming together as one big force the ethnic nationals, each must first put its house in order. Although some are beginning to realise that it is vital to work together harmoniously others are still divided by religious beliefs, personal interest and the effect of influence by a third party, the SPDC.
So many atrocities have taken place in Burma. People are worn out, bitter and poor and so many soldiers are infected with PAG virus. The system has ruined so much; so many lives, so many societies and relationships have disintegrated. Since war begins in the mind of men, it is in the minds of men that the defence of peace has to be constructed. The power to change the world is in all of us. If we are to have any hope of achieving world peace mankind must teach us to find compassion and wisdom that are inside us, and spread around especially amongst those who have been the victim of indoctrination and institutionalisation. We must find a way to challenge the infection of PAG. Understanding correctly the teaching of Buddha will surely be a good method of getting rid of it.
The fall of the regime is very important but the aftermath is just as important. The new politicians must not believe and act like the old ones. They must not exploit the situation. Burma must confront its own past. The only way for reconciliation is to know why the Union of Burma has gone sour. It will be a painful process and you will have to go through it and find the truth. The truth cannot be buried so deep that it cannot be dug out. Only then can the peoples of Burma move forward towards a genuine federation, freedom and democracy. A lot of people believe that democracy will just descend on them once the SPDC has fallen but democracy doesn’t come packed in a neat little parcel; you have to be ready for it and work at it, at the same time upholding equality, truth, justice and fairness.
All governments, the United Nations and citizens have a role to play in making the world a safer, more peaceful and happier place. Knowledge through science has advanced greatly in several fields but little attention has been paid to the study of humanity. In this supposedly civilised but chaotic and dangerous world it is time to reassess the priority of human values. Each of us must change our way of life and challenge our greed and anger, and nurture our wisdom and compassion.
We must try to get rid of our grudge, prejudices, bigotry, chauvinism, extreme nationalism and fanaticism on race and religion. We must try to become not only good citizens of our own country but citizens of the world and remember that all human beings are of the same species regardless of race, colour and religion.
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Last week’s English articles
Burma’s Healthcare Situation: A Dog’s Curly Tail
Memoirs of a Cynical Medic (1)
Changes In Burma Can Arise From No Changes
Displaced People’s Socio-Medical Sufferings