Interview with DPNS Chairman Ko Aung Moe Zaw

(Part Two)

Ko Aung Moe Zaw, Chair of Democratic Party for New Society DPNS, speaks to Hin Maung about his view on the National Convention.

BURMA DIGEST: “Why is your party called the Democratic Party for a New Society? What kind of new society would you like to establish?”

Ko Aung Moe Zaw: “Burma is a multi-ethnic country and we want people from every sphere of society to partake in a nation building process.  We want to establish a new society by creating opportunities for everyone and communities to utilize their potentials in running the country and thereby bring about equality and harmony amongst people.”

BD:  “Can you please inform the readers why DPNS was declared illegal by the military junta?”

AMZ: “After the 1990 election, we called for the parliament when the government failed to recognize the election results.  We tried to organize a mass movement with our brothers and sisters from different political groups in order to pressure the regime. The regime then moved in with coercion and demanded us to comply with the 1/90 Order and agree with the National Convention to draft a new constitution.  We utterly refused to do so.”

BD:  “The reports emerging from Burma indicate that the junta is in the process of writing a new constitution with representatives from a catalogue of groups.  Once the new constitution is drafted and it would be put forward to people through a referendum.  In 2009, there would be an election.  Do you support such a process or would you call it as a democratic process?”

AMZ: “Well… Now we are struggling for the regime to respect and recognize the results of 1990 election.  We do not have any plan to accept any new election apart from endorsement of 1990 election results.  We are now calling for the people to boycott the National Convention or calling for “No” campaign in the process of referendum.  I believe the citizens of Burma and the international community will not accept their rubber stamp constitution.  The National Convention is unfair because it excludes elected parliamentarians and ethnic representatives.  So we have to focus on people’s movement to refuse the unlawful new constitution.”

BD:  “but the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the majority of seats in 1990 election refused to partake in the constitution writing process.  Therefore military junta was left with no other options apart from drafting it with representatives of ethnic groups.”

AMZ: “No… no there are no elected ethnic parties, such as Shan National League for Democracy, it is not participating in the Nation Convention.  All the delegates are handpicked by the regime.”

BD:  “But after all they are civilians not the army personnel.”

AMZ: “They may appear to be civilians but majority of them are ex-army personals, civil servants and members of the ex- Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), the former ruling party.  They are hand picked by the junta.  The NLD did not refuse to join the National Convention but they asked five minimum rights to be able to join the convention.”

BD:  “Attending the National Convention does not mean running a country, does it?”

AMZ: “The National Convention has only about a dozen elected Member of Parliament (MP) out 400 MPs.  It is ludicrous to support it without the will of people.  I urge the people of Burma to reject such a constitution.  Furthermore, the new constitution would allocate a quarter of seats to the military in the parliament automatically and it also gives them right to seize the power from civilian government at any given time.”

BD:  “Don’t you think running a country requires people with experience? After all, they have ruled the country for nineteen years.”

AMZ: “Well… in our movement we have ex – civil servants, academics and people from all walks of life to run a country.  I am sure they never had experience in running a country prior to nineteen years ago.”

BD:  “It is also reported that the constitution would allow the military to run home and defense ministry.  Could you tell us how can a civilian government run its administrative machinery without two key ministries in their hand?” 

AMZ:  “Let me remind you that under the new constitution there wouldn’t be a civilian head of state because it clearly states that he/she needs to have military experience.  Therefore, it paves the way for them to run the country.  This is what Mr Gambari needs to know.  The home and defense ministries play crucial role in running a country.  The role of home ministry  covers much wider than policing the country.  Any civilian government without responsibilities of home and defense is like paralytic government unable to move its arms and legs.”

(The third part continues next week)