Posted by Kyaw Myaing First of all I welcome you to this forum. The points you have raised are very valid and important. In my opinion, since Myanmar is a country with various ethnic races, the interests of all these groups should be considered in building the new Myanmar. That being said, we need to see the facts of the recent political developments. It is a fact that the NLD won the general elections in 1990 with an overwhelming majority. However, for reasons known only to the then SLORC, power was not handed over to the NLD. Then we had the government sponsored "National Convention" where all the parties which won seats in the elections were represented. The Shan SNLD - Shan National League for Democracy won the second largest number of seats, if I remember correctly. I hoped at that time that something might come out of the National Convention, but that did not happen. The NLD subsequently withdrew from the National Convention and it has now become "just a name". Then the years dragged on and the positions hardened between the SLORC and the NLD with subsequent harrassment of NLD members-of-parliament elects and more restrictions being placed on the movement of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi within the country. From the point of view of a political observer, it may be said that the situation in Myanmar is unique and cannot be compared in totally with any other situation, be it Cambodia or South Africa. That is the first thing we need to understand. Each country follows its own course based on its history, geographical location and the resultant influence of major powers in the region. The "secret talks" that are going on are the result of the efforts of the UN, whose envoy is trying to iron out the differences between the SPDC and the NLD through "quiet" diplomacy. I am sure, the leaders of the SPDC and the NLD are aware that for a lasting "union", all the legitimate interests of all the national races will need to be taken into account. If I remember correctly, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself mentioned her desire for a second "Panglong Meeting", but that did not happen. The crux of the matter is this. The nation building tasks and the tasks for "national reconciliation" will fall on all the Myanmar citizens. Yes we need the interest and the help of groups outside the country to help create an environment of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation so that all the details could be worked out with confidence, trust and a spirit of "union consciousness". That being said, we must remeber that the present "secret talks" are only in the first phase. I am confident that the participation of other ethnic groups will happen when the time comes. I hope it comes soon. In the meantime, I urge all groups and associations outside the country, not to say or write anything that might create more misunderstanding or hatred among the ethnic groups or between the Bamas and the ethnic groups. I firmly believe that we are all in the same boat, "the state", and that we should work hand in hand to see that there is no disintegration of the "state" or the Union. I firmly believe in the formation of a lasting Union where all the citizens have equal rights as citizens and where all the ethnic groups looked on each other as brothers and sisters and not as enemies. I do not wish to see Myanmar disintegrate like former Yugoslavia, that is the last thing we want. As for the ethnicity of the members of the SPDC or the leaders of the NLD, I do not have details and I think that is not the important thing at the moment. A case in point, General Aung San was a Burmese and yet he was the one who convened the Panglong Conference. So the bottom line is for every ethnic groups not to get too excited, to remain calm, and to see the how the "secret talks" develop. In essence not to rock the boat. I think the second phase of the discussions will include representatives of the ethnic groups. I know that Mr. Razali has already met with the leader of the SNLD, U Kun Tun Oo, from my reading of current news available on the internet. U Kun Tun Oo himself has asked for the participation of ethnic representatives in the talks at a suitable time and date. I hope that date comes soon. It is significant to note that a government spokesman has for the first time said that success is "immiment". We will have to wait and see and hope for the best. Once again, thank you for your interest in Myanmar affairs. Regards and metta, Kyaw Myaing
on 2/28/2002, 8:05 am
Dear Michael,
Message Thread:
« Back to thread