Posted by Kyaw Myaing This is what I think of the use of economic sanctions in Burma. I am all for democracy and I am very grateful for the support given by the friends of Burma and the International Community for democracy. However, there are certain things which are hurtful to the nation as a whole, economic sanctions are one of them. The problem in Burma is a confrontation between those who want democracy and those who wish to hold on to power. However, economic sanctions hurt all the people of Burma, not only the government. The people who are hurt the most are the women and children and the poor people. How are they hurt? When the economic situation worsens and the inflation becomes really bad, all those who are working hard to earn an honest living are hurt. In Burma now, it does not matter whether you are earning Kyats 20,000 a month or Kyats 30,000 a month, you will be lucky if you are not in debt. So when the pay is not enough, government officials get corrupt. As the corruption spreads, it places a heavy burden on the ordinary citizens as they have to pay bribes to get things done. Those in the private sector just hike up the prices. People have to send their sons and daughters to work in foreign countries and parents have to depend on the small amount of money sent back by the children to survive. Young girls and young women get corrupted and become members of the "world's oldest profession". That is how HIV aids spreads in Burma and it is speading fast. The sharing of needles by drug addicts is another reason for the spread of HIV aids. Most of the time, the men do not use condoms and this makes the situation worse. There is nothing the young girls can do. They are either ignorant or powerless. In this way the whole race can vanish. These are some of the problems. So how are we going to solve this. The government in power is trying its best to provide social and health services in spite of all the economic sanctions placed on Burma and in spite of all actions taken by the democracy activists to make sure that the economy deteriorates each day. I am not writing this to support the government or the work of the democracy activist. I am writing this for the sake of the people and for the sake of our country. If our people are not united, if we are not able to forgive, if we do not work for harmony and understanding, instead of getting democracy, our country will become a battle field. Look at what is happening in Afghanistan. It has become a modern day Vietnam. I make an urgent plea to both sides. Whatever you decide to do, always ask yourself "will it be good for the country in the long run". I believe that there is a better way than "economic sanctions". That way is the path of dialogue and reconciliation. Now that the talks have started between DASSK and the government, each side should think "what can we do to make the situation better, instead of making it worse". Time is not on our side. The economy is getting worse each day and with it HIV aids and corruption are spreading like a plague. Do we want to stop it or drown in a sea of Anger and Hatred. That is my question. Regards and metta, Kyaw Myaing
on 10/10/2001, 9:46 am
Dear Friends,
Message Thread:
« Back to thread