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