Asia hungers for democracy, activist laments

Asia hungers for democracy, activist laments

The following are excerpts from the speech made by Kim Dae- jung, a South Korean dissident and human rights activist, at the World Conference on Democracy in Washington recently.

WASHINGTON: Asia is the most populous continent with the largest land mass in the world. Recent trends in Asia show that economic growth has assisted the growth of democracy. But we face a situation where the gains of the past 20 years, both economic and democratic, are threatened by systems which stifle the democratic instincts of Asians. Suppressing people's needs for expression and participation will choke the vibrant economy of the region.

The high-technology and information-rich era is already with us. It will become harder for governments to control information, harder to block participation by all groups in society.

The following observations are based on recent visits to China and Japan. In China, the middle class is rapidly expanding. Two to three hundred million Chinese out of 1.2 billion are making over $5,000 annually, forming a middle class. Many of them make much more. They are driving China toward a market economy, and will soon become a most influential interest group. If the Chinese leadership fails to meet the demands for liberalization by these middle class people, they may revolt and create political unrest. In particular, after Deng Xiaoping's death, Chinese leaders will be unable to check the trend toward greater openness.

In Japan, former pro-American conservative anti-communists are espousing anti-American messages, trying to repeal the anti-war resolution, justifying their war effort half a century ago and refusing to renounce past deeds. On the other hand, Prime Minister Murayama, a socialist who used to denounce the U.S. for its hawkish view toward the former Soviet Union, stressed to me that Japan must admit its past mistakes and that he would never appeal to anti-democratic sentiments. Other high government officials and leaders have told me similar things. They were in the majority, but the number willing to exploit anti-American and anti-democratic appeals is growing.

America would be wise to take note of these conflicting trends and take measures to buttress democrats in the region.

In relation to this, I want to say a few words about moral support for democrats in trouble. How very important it is! I am here today, well and alive, despite numerous attempts on my life, imprisonment, and house arrest, because of the moral support given to me, from the left and the right, conservatives and liberals, and because of international pressure against dictators.

While I was in prison, waiting for the final judgment in 1980, I was vaguely aware of the intensive international effort to save my life. It gave me the strength and will to continue my fight. So I am a living example of the power of international support for democratic activists. I know of many human rights leaders in Korea in the dark days, who could survive the wrath of the militarists thanks to this international support.

Which brings me to today's question: What are we democrats doing now for democracy in Asia? First, we are now engaged in a fierce battle of ideas for the future political and social development of the region. As for me, I formed the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation in January 1994 to work for reunification of the Korean peninsula, democratization in Asia, and world peace. In this way, I hoped to promote a peaceful and fair resolution of our country's division, and make a contribution to addressing Asia's great challenges at the dawn of the 21st century.

Last year, with grants from the National Endowment for Democracy and other similarly spirited organizations in Asia and Europe, and together with Oscar Arias of Costa Rica and Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, I established the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL) to help democratize the region. I am happy to report that Sonia Gandhi, widow of prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and a leader in the largest democracy in Asia, India, has joined the FDL as a co-president. We are in the process of recruiting the fifth and final co-president from the second largest democracy in Asia, Japan.

We decided at the outset to try to do more with the FDL than hold conferences on the general theme of democracy. So we wanted to focus specifically on one case in Asia where democratic processes were violated. The clear place to start was in Myanmar. The shameful denial of the results in the election of 1990 cannot be forgotten. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be allowed to take her rightful place as a free Asian democrat. At the inaugural conference of the FDL we formed a Special Commission on Myanmar and declared 1995 "The Year of Myanmar".

The FDL is working on several programs. The co-presidents are planning to hold meetings in New York and Washington next month to draw the attention of the United Nations and the United States to the healthy battle for democracy in Asia, the plans of the FDL, and our effort to support Myanmarese democracy. We are hoping the top leadership of the UN and the U.S. will share the concern we have with our region's democratic development.

Young democratic leaders in Asia will need a forum like this one. The FDL is committed to holding a conference and a training program for young Asian democratic leaders in late summer. I hope this event will demonstrate to these leaders of tomorrow that there is moral support for them in Asia and around the world. As we make progress, I will keep you informed.

When the fifth co-president is identified, we will be ready to embark on a mission, visiting Southeast Asia to draw their attention to the plight of the Myanmarese. We are hoping this mission will educate government leaders about the long term benefit of a democratic Myanmar.

Finally, at the end of 1995, the FDL plans to hold a first anniversary conference in Manila. The theme will be "Transitions to Democracy: Lessons for Asia and Myanmar". This theme was proposed to us by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, honorary adviser to the FDL. Everyone here is invited to join us in Manila.

I sense there a hunger for true democracy in Asia today. Within the next 25 years, most of Asia will become democratized. I hope the NED, every participant here today and the FDL will join hands to expedite this process and achieve a democratic Asia peacefully.

-- The Nation