Suu Kyi challenges ASEAN policy on Myanmar<\/p>\n
YANGON (AFP): Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi believes
\nASEAN's policy of constructive engagement with the Myanmarese
\njunta is flawed because it concentrates on current economic
\nprospects at the expense of political change.<\/p>\n
In an interview with AFP at the lakeside home where she spent
\nnearly six years under house arrest until July 10, Aung San Suu
\nKyi on Monday also suggested tourists avoid Myanmar to show they
\nsupport calls for democratic reforms.<\/p>\n
She disputed government claims that economic development was
\non a sustainable upward track and would eventually lead to the
\ncountry's democratization.<\/p>\n
Economic \"half-measures\" taken by the junta would not bring
\ndemocracy, she said. \"It will only lead to a widening gap between
\nthe haves and the have-nots which is, in fact, inimical to
\ndemocracy.\"<\/p>\n
Only by spreading wealth throughout all segments of the nation
\ncan democracy be bolstered, she said.<\/p>\n
\"But actually, it works both ways. You won't get that kind of
\neconomic development without democracy,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Aung San Suu Kyi said she regretted that the constructive
\nengagement policy followed by the Association of Southeast Asian
\nNations (ASEAN) seemed to ignore the opposition but courted the
\njunta.<\/p>\n
\"Constructive engagement, to be effective, should be engaged
\nwith all parties concerned,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In her view, ASEAN should be having second thoughts about the
\nearly admission of Myanmar, which would join Brunei, Indonesia,
\nMalaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
\"Apart from anything else, I do not think the Burmese
\n(Myanmarese) economy is in as good a shape as ASEAN would like it
\nto be,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In any case, she said, \"Economics and politics are
\ninterdependent and, whether or not you recognize the fact, you
\ncannot escape the consequences of certain political policies.\"<\/p>\n
She said she believed the average six to eight percent
\neconomic growth rate was already beginning to tail off. \"There
\nare some very, very necessary structural changes that would have
\nto take place before there can be real economic development.\"<\/p>\n
The opposition leader noted meanwhile that her National League
\nfor Democracy (NLD) was less than enthusiastic about the junta's
\nplans to earn more tourist dollars by promoting Visit Myanmar
\nYear, which starts in late 1996.<\/p>\n
\"I do not think that it would help very much if the coming of
\ntourists is taken to mean that people don't care whether or not
\nthere is democracy in Burma (Myanmar),\" she said.<\/p>\n
Referring to her earlier statements that it was too soon for
\nforeign investors to come to Myanmar, she added: \"I think for
\ntourists, too, there is a time to come and a time not to come.\"<\/p>\n
Aung San Suu Kyi said she and the NLD would continue to speak
\nout, despite attacks against her in the official press.<\/p>\n
\"Under the law, of course, silence is consent, and we
\ncertainly are not consenting to the existing situation,\" she
\nstressed.<\/p>\n
The junta, officially known as the State Law and Order
\nRestoration Council (SLORC) needs to address the issue of the
\n1990 elections, she said. The NLD won the vote, but the SLORC
\nrefused to hand over power.<\/p>\n
The opposition leader said she was determined to pursue her
\npolitical activities, although she admitted a heavy schedule
\nsometimes left her physically drained.<\/p>\n
\"I would just like to have a good rest, to read, write a few
\nletters, ... just a few days at home quietly, without
\nappointments,\" she said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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