Myanmar must try reconciliation

The continuing effort by the Myanmarese regime to intimidate the legitimate political opposition is both discouraging and troubling.

The tension within Yangon is as unnecessary as it is senseless.

The offensively racist attacks on democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi demean the generals, not their target.

No criticism of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) could belittle it as much as the junta's own actions.

The rulers in Yangon may yet succeed in their campaign to oppress prodemocracy advocates, but their campaign will destroy even the last shred of respect for the regime.

The Myanmarese regime appears genuinely frightened of Mrs. Suu Kyi and the ever growing movement for freedom.

In a city where all media are under strict government control, the junta erected l0-meter billboards to "advertise" their campaign for violent dictatorship. They denounced Suu Kyi as a foreign stooge.

She was described as the puppet of those infamous "outside influences" which totalitarians always blame when their people show a thirst for freedom.

The boot-licking Myanmarese TV, radio and newspapers run for the generals' pleasure had attacked Suu Kyi this way before. The new billboards were pointedly placed outside the home of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, as well as the U.S. Embassy. In one way, they simply lowered the reputation of the SLORC.

The Yangon junta has never shown shame for killing, torturing, jailing or libeling its political opposition.

Last weekend, the regime threatened to arrest -- or worse -- anyone attending an unapproved political rally. The result was that a record number of Myanmarese, an estimated 10,000, attended the weekly rally at Suu Kyi's home.

They called for negotiations with the government. They rejected violence and revolution. They gathered, met, and disbanded peacefully.

It is difficult for non-Myanmarese to know how to react to the uncivilized behavior of the military regime.

Political differences of opinion are not dangerous in Myanmar. On the contrary, they are a sign of health and a population concerned about the future.

The Myanmarese dictatorship only risks the country if it believes otherwise.

-- The Bangkok Post