(Part One)

 On the eve of 19^th Anniversary of Military coup in Burma, Ko Aung Moe Zaw the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) in Burma gave an exclusive interview to Hnin Maung in London.

BURMA DIGEST: “U Aung Moe Zaw, Chair of the Democratic Party for a New Society in Burma (DPNS).  Your party was formed in October 1988 and declared as illegal by the military regime in 1991.  The Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS) was forced out in exile till today after being pronounced as illegitimate party in Burma.  In the light of the current political climate in Burma – pockets of protests springing all over the country against the junta over a rise in price of petrol and gas.  The “third force”, the Burmese academics in abroad or alleged lobbyists of military junta in the West recently accused the democracy movement of loosing their momentum.  They also called for the National League for Democracy (NLD) and democracy activists to give into military junta’s demands.  What is DPNS’ reading on the future of Burma?” 

Aung Moe Zaw: “Er…., first of all I would like to explain that our party does not only exist in border area.  It has offices and representatives across the world. Secondly, I would like to explain to you about the recent protest and demonstration in the country.  These sporadic protests are the direct result of repression imposed by the regime against the people.  It is a cogent example of regime ignoring the will of the people.  If such kinds of protest will continue then the mass movement will topple the regime.  This is what I see, Er…. at the same time what I would like to highlight is that the current mass protest is just a tip on the iceberg, it is a warning to the regime that there will be a nation wide mass movement across the road which will topple them.  The regime will definitely face uprising if they fail to ignore the will of the people.  The third point is that I believe in future…, uprising and followed on by peace and prosperity based on equality, social justice and striving towards national reconciliation and democracy.”

BURMA DIGEST: “The nature of suppression by junta has changed dramatically as compared to 1988.  They no longer spray bullets on mass protest and we now see an increase in use of thugs organised by military’s political wing the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA).  What is your take on the use of “thugocracy”? 

AMZ: “The USDA is composed of thugs.  The leading members of the USDA are from military or military personnel.  The junta is making it look like civilians trying to break the anti-government protest.  It is reported that the thugs are hired by USDA to attack the protesters with knives and sticks.  The regime is exploiting the poverty to crush the protest.  I see it as a dirty tactics use by the regime to conflicts and chaos among people which could ultimately give them legitimacy or legitimacy to extend it’s rule.  I would the international community to know treacherous character of military junta.”

BURMA DIGEST: “The “third force” that I mentioned earlier, which is pretty much against the international sanction upon junta and has given a good roasting to the movement including the National League for Democracy (NLD) that it cannot rise against the military in a similar style as 1988 and they argue a case for activists like yourself to submit to the military rule.  What is your opinion on such a claim?” 

AMZ: “Er… Firstly, we are a non-violent organization and we have been seeking for peaceful resolution to the political problems for nearly twenty years. We still stand firmly upon principal of the peaceful resolution. This is what I firstly like to explain… Secondly, the root cause of our country’s problem is actually facing political problem – we need to solve the political problem and without solving the political problem we cannot achieve anything.  We want to enter into dialogue which what we have been calling for.  

OK! Let’s talk about economy – The root cause of economic problem is mismanagement of economy.  If the government doesn’t recognize this the problem will continue to persist. The economic deprivation is not due to the international economic sanction.  Now-a-days, if you want to talk about betterment of our people – it is not the dicotomy between the pro-sanction or anti-sanction.  It is about good governance.  Today, Burma doesn’t possess good governance in order to create a workable environment for businesses. Thirdly, the problems underlie upon military government.  The regime has no will to reform it’s governance.  Therefore, we experience economic problems in the country due to military government.”

BURMA DIGEST: “So do you call for sanction?” 

AMZ: “Yes, we call for sanction and as a democratic movement DPNS take full responsibility for what we do.  As far as I know – only USA endorse full comprehensive sanction upon military junta.  The US government did not impose investment sanction prior to endorsement of comprehensive sanction.  The EU’s support for sanction is pretty much daunting and it has not engaged with the regime fully despite of it’s wishy-washy policy towards the junta. The EU simply doesn’t care about Burma.  There is a lot of bilateral trade between Burma and neighboring countries but the still the country has not got a grip with the economy.  Therefore, the deteriorating economic condition of Burma is not due to sanction, it is an issue of mismanagement of economy with bad governance.  The sanction only adopted by USA, the poverty in Burma is not because of sanction.”

BURMA DIGEST: “Are you trying to punish the junta rather than compromising with the regime to enter into dialogue?  If so, than the “third force” would argue that without compromise with the junta, one will never enter into dialogue.” 

AMZ: “I don’t understand how you see the nature of military dictatorship in Burma or how these people understand it.  My understating is that until the regime does not realize that they cannot contain the pressure anymore, there will be no dialogue.  They need to realize that they cannot contain either domestic or international pressures.  The junta needs to be aware of the point that without dialogue they will not survive.”         

BURMA DIGEST: “What does dialogue mean to you?” 

AMZ: “I think dialogue is about power. If there is no equal power, there will be no dialogue.  That what I am trying to explain, if military government is so strong they will never talk to you and they will ask you to surrender.  I think the history of democratic struggle across the world has proved that pressures work.  You may look at the examples of democratic struggles from South Africa to Indonesia, pressure works.”

BURMA DIGEST: “Talking about Indonesia – Do you think the recent use of “thugocracy” rule in Burma to break the fuel protest does have similarity with the suppression of anti-Suharto protest with thugs?” 

AMZ: “Like Suhrato regime, the Burmese regime is ultra authoritarian which is quiet close fascist.  They have some sort of common characteristic. So it is out of question whether they will follow Suharto example or other ultra authoritarian regimes.  They all have common characters.”

BURMA DIGEST: “U Moe Zaw, Burma this week mark 19^th Anniversary or 19^Th year of consecutive military rule.  On 18 September 1988, the military seize the power quiet brutally.  What alternative does DPN offer to people of Burma to break free from military junta?” 

AMZ: “I do not think that there is an alternative to democracy or open society.  So our objective is to achieve democracy in our country. There is not alternative to justice and equality.  I believe the only way to break free is by mass uprising with international pressure. The movement is now beginning – it will come soon.  The people power is appeared to be back on the track.” 

(second part to follow in next issue)