THE WAY FORWARD

Reconciliation or Liberation?

_ by Cedric

National reconciliation is an excellent idea.

The idea is to forgive past wrong-doing when dictators step down from power, which can encourage them to do so.

It does not mean the acceptance of continuing wrong-doing when dictators refuse to step down and continue to oppress the people.

It is almost unknown for dictators to say goodbye to power entirely voluntarily. They step down when they see the tide is turning against them and things are becoming more and more difficult – they decide to give up power "voluntarily" before they are washed away.

A regime which is still well entrenched, stubborn and intransigent is not going to give up the least bit of power. Instead it works to increase its power.

The SPDC showed clearly that this good idea of national reconciliation is useless in Burma.
Then their Psychological Warfare boys decided the idea could be used to their advantage.
When the SPDC and its little helpers promote the idea of national reconciliation, what do they mean ?

— They want people to think that national reconciliation is possible, or even probable.
But what is the real meaning of this junta-speak ?

— The real meaning is that the people of Burma reconcile themselves to the regime's never-ending rule.

The people of Burma must be thoroughly brain-washed before they want this.

Burma's worst problem has only one solution – the destruction of the SPDC and everything it represents.

The democratic movement's search for total agreement about the future is unrealistic at the present time – it wastes time, money, manpower and other resources.

Agree on a plan of action, and begin to implement it. Talk is useful as a springboard to action.
Unity is forged in the fires of action. Unity is never total, and it never endures forever.
What is necessary is that the unity should be sufficient till the Day of Liberation.

The way to unity is to work together for a common goal of the greatest importance.
This means putting aside differences that divide, until that goal is achieved.
To struggle side by side, to share common dangers and difficulties, encourages mutual respect. This may lead to fuller understanding.

It is necessary to destroy the existing Order before a new Order can be built.
------------------------

Dictionary definition: to reconcile oneself to something = to accept an unpleasant situation.
Junta-speak (not found in the dictionary): the public-relations language of the SPDC where a word or phrase often means the opposite of the truth, e.g. "the legal fold".

------------------------

[Editor's note: Opinions discussed in articles represent view-points of the authors, but not necessarily of BURMA DIGEST.]

Your Comments here_ please do not use { < ! > }

Request: If you can kindly volunteer to translate BURMA DIGEST English articles into Burmese, please let us know burmadigest@tayzathuria.org.uk .

Last week's English article