Myanmarese still moved by Suu Kyi

The release on July 10 of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has injected new hope into the Myanmarese struggle. Yindee Lertcharoenchok writes on the latest political development in that country. This is the second of two articles.

BANGKOK: Several analysts and diplomats share the view that Suu Kyi appears to avoid making "any confrontational remarks or direct attacks" against her captor and has cultivated a "more conciliatory tone" in calling both the ruling military junta and political activists, as well as the Myanmarese people of all ethnic nationalities, to reconcile and work out through dialogs their objectives of peace, democracy and human rights.

One officer even interpreted her latest statements, which usually carry and convey hidden messages to the wider public, as indicating "tacit or de facto agreement" between the two political antagonists to avoid any confrontation which could once again plunge the country into turmoil and violence.

Despite her long absence from the public scene, Suu Kyi has neither strayed from her basic beliefs and principles nor been unrealistic about the changing political scenes at home and abroad. Her public remarks after her release echo the message she gave in January during her six-year incarceration.

"There has not been and there will not be any secret deals with regard either to my release or to any other issue. I adhere to the principle of accountability and consider myself at all times bound by the democratic duty to act in consultation with colleagues and to be guided by the aspirations of those engaged in the movement to establish a truly democratic political system in Burma. I remain dedicated to an active participation in this movement."

True to her words, Suu Kyi, immediately after regaining her freedom, asked for a period of one to two weeks to study the overall situation and to consult with her political colleagues before deciding on her next move.

Her daily schedule has been fully booked with meeting appointments with elders and fellow politicians, mainly from the party she co-founded, the National League for Democracy (NLD). Her tight schedule is interrupted only by media interviews, guest visits and her brief ventures to greet, across from the front gate, incessant waves of well wishers and supporters who long to see her in person.

Despite the apparent "political freedom" in Rangoon for the past few days, activists fear that the honeymoon between Suu Kyi and the SLORC might soon be over. The military junta, they point out, could reinforce its tight grip again through various military laws. Pro-democracy activists are cautioning the people, saying the struggle is far from over and the path to achieving their goals and objectives is still a long and difficult one.

The people on the other hand are watching with awe and concern as to how long and how far the SLORC will continue to tolerate Suu Kyi's courage in speaking out her mind and her frank opinions about the Myanmarese political situation.

"There is always the danger. The way is not going to be all smooth. I would like to warn my supporters not to expect too much too quickly," she told reporters at her residence. "As long as we have a will and as long as we go about it intelligently we will get there."

Suu Kyi also warns members of the international community, especially the fiercely competitive business sector, against rushing into Myanmar. "It is the word rush I object to. I think you've got to study the situation much more carefully," she told the BBC in an interview.

Despite Suu Kyi's freedom, exiled Myanmarese dissidents and politicians have urged the world community to keep up its pressure for further progress on democratization and human rights in Myanmar. Suu Kyi, they said, is still restricted in conducting political activities and, moreover, the SLORC is devising laws and a Constitution to ban her from any future political role.

Bo Hla Tint, minister in charge of foreign affairs of the exiled NLD government, said in an interview from Washington DC that the pressure should continue in order to force the SLORC to engage in "substantial political dialogs" with Suu Kyi. The Myanmarese opposition leader has indicated her willingness many times to enter into a dialog with the military junta.

She expressed hope that similar dialogs among all parties concerned would take place to resolve the country's decades-long political turmoil and ethnic conflicts and said she is working out a list of about 400 well known political detainees still in prison.

Suu Kyi, the national politician, whose unwavering efforts in non-violent struggle to bring about peace, democracy and human rights through peaceful dialogs and national reconciliation has won her numerous world acclaimed awards and prizes, said both the SLORC and the Myanmarese people share the same political objective, "to return power to the people."

But despite SLORC leader Gen. Than Shwe's request for her "to help towards achieving peace and stability in the country the regime has yet to show signs of political goodwill and readiness to engage her and other parties concerned in dialogues on national reconciliation.

She never ruled out the military's future role and as she once mentioned "I feel strong attachment for the armed forces. Not only were they built up by my father, as a child I was cared for by his soldiers... May I appeal to the armed forces to become a force in which the people can place their trust and reliance? May the armed forces become one which will uphold the honor and dignity of our country."

Perhaps the formidable political strength and force in Suu Kyi will enable her to win the hearts of the wider populace as well as members of the armed forces who jointly and wholeheartedly voted for her NLD party in the 1990 May general election.

Her inspirational public statements have injected a new life into the sagging morale of the Myanmarese, at home and abroad, who believe that the people's rights and justice will prevail. There is a window of opportunity now for the SLORC to respond to overtures for national reconciliation in Myanmar. The world is watching very closely how the junta will react in the next few weeks.

-- The Nation, Bangkok