Myanmar must try reconciliation
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