Can Gen. Than Shwe Spin the World This Time Around?

According to the news, Burma’s junta on Thursday announced that it was ready to start reconciliation talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi if she would stop her “confrontation” tactics and support of sanctions against the country. General Than Shwe’s illogical accusation against her for what has been happening in Burma is totally irrelevant to the ongoing atrocities such as beating to death, random shootings and the illegal arrests against the citizens of Burma. The crisis was originated with the sky high price of the gas that triggered the public sentiment followed by the huge protests by the Buddhist monks, who had decided to appeal the regime by sacrificing their lives for the welfare of the general public. Remember, none of these Buddhist monks were the members of NLD. Some critics of Burma even criticized the NLD for its lack of enthusiasm engaging and playing a leading role in that uprising.

To be summed up, Daw Suu or NLD never orchestrated the current uprising. The patience of NLD has amazed the world. Beyond that, NLD with its peaceful dialogue policy toward the regime had offered the regime the legitimacy to rule the country if the regime agreed to engage in the meaningful dialogue with NLD. In addition, the sanctions by the international community are not because Daw Suu but the freewill of the world. If it wants the sanctions to be lifted, the regime must make the first move until the international community’s satisfaction has met.

In reality, Than Shwe’s dialogue proposal is nothing new but an attempt to relieve the international pressure especially UNSC. Parenthetically, the regime’s ongoing suppressions, killings and arrests of the Buddhist monks, the people including the UN officials in Rangoon and elsewhere in Burma while Mr. Gambari was waiting to see Than Shwe were insults and outrageous for the world’s community. Gen. Than Shwe (and his advisers) know very much how to screw up international communities to take time to clean his mess and to prepare for his next strategy. And he also knows well that every time the regime releases such statement the international community walk away from the reality, and the regime continues on doing what it supposes to do in order to remain in power. As a matter of fact, the regime’s delay and divert technique, in combination with the protection of China, work well and it always survive in the long run. In this case, the enthusiasm of UNSC and the world’s body will be melt down into Than Shwe’s proposal for sure resulting more bloodshed and arrests by the regime will helplessly go on.

In conclusion, as the activists overseas our anti China Campaign especially boycott 2008 Olympic Campaign must go on world wide until China gives up its bad influence on the regime in Burma. Unfortunately, more bloods and sacrifices will be in place in Burma in the meantime due to the hopelessness and prevailing hardships people are suffering of all aspects.

With Much Hope,
Victor Naing (88 Genaration)
October 4,2007.