This is the time to move on for all our people who want democracy in our country. We need solidarity for democratising Burma, and good balance in all possible movements to get to our goals.  

Everyone has its own opinion, but as we all know, we must have sound resolution and unity for our movements. Most people have accepted that some lessons have been learnt during the delay to our success.  

Firstly, we must not expect that military regime would give back the power to our people. They are militants and terrorists and they will hold the power and pass it to their own generations because they like power and they don’t have any other means except holding the power for saving their lives. We must understand that we have to get our country back to our people and we have to make military regime lose its hold on power.  

Secondly, we cannot expect UN or US military intervention. This can happen only if our country has a threat to international community such as terrorist camps inside Burma, or building up nuclear reactors for mass destruction. Otherwise, it cannot happen because of China, Russia and ASEAN who are mad for power/ political balance in the region. We can get help from China, Russia and ASEAN by only persuading them that the more stability in Burma, the more benefits they can pursue. So, UN or US military action is unlikely.  

However, we do not forget that we are able. If you are a Burmese citizen who wants democracy in Burma, you have to do everything you can. You must not think you cannot do anything. If you are in Burma, you can at least light up a candle to pray for our monks and people. We have to refuse the oders of the regime and its associates. We have to remember our heroes sacrificed their lives for democracy and admire their bravry. Anything you do with an  intension of supporting democracy movements is invaluable. Simply, something is better than nothing.  

As Daw Suu said before, we need trust in all our opposition groups and we have to build it at all times. We need good balance in movements between external and internal forces. We need all kinds of revolution in balance. We have our ethnic brothers who are fighting for their freedom with arms. We have to support them spiritually at least so that they can move on their activities. We have to understand each other. We must have strong understanding and support for our ethnic armed forces which have so many difficulties and have been fighting the military regime for several decades. 

On the other hand, we have to encourage our soldiers who really love our people and country to join our movements.  

In short, we all have our own responsibility for our country and new generation. We must spare our own time and money for our beloved ones. Whatever kind of person you are, you can spend some time about an hour in a week or a couple of pounds in a week for the benefit of our country.  

Now, military regime is trying to make another trick. They have announced that they would hold a talk with Daw Suu on some conditions. They are trying to divert the attention from international community like what they did before. We have to welcome this kind of announcement if the reason was for real national reconciliation. But logically, it is not possible. Military regime still continues to oppress our monks and people. They took photos in the past demonstrations and are now looking for activists and seem-to-be leaders to give them long term jail sentences, or even death. Moreover, torture in detention centres still goes on.  Obviously, their announcement is just a diversion to get some relief from international pressure.  

To my understanding, we have to encourage every possible ways to national reconciliation such as UNSC intervention, armed revolution, internal people’s uprising, any kind of international sanctions, campaigning against junta’s business or military partners. The only thing we have to take care is the cunning movements of military regime. They will never give us our country back.

In conclusion, all of us must have political awareness. We have to open our eyes, ears and mouths and move our hands and legs. We have our people who have sacrificed or are going to sacrifice in front of us; we don’t have to do like those martyrs but at least we have to support them and stand behind them if we want democracy in our country. Nothing can be gained without any effort.  

The following can be done by External Activists and media agencies

-         persuade international community to put more pressure on military junta in all possible ways

-         carry out continuous movements and lobbying

-         help to build up strong communication/ intelligence network for democracy movements inside the country

-          get intelligence capabilities to monitor, document and publicize what is happening, and tell the generals who are ordering and the soldiers who are carrying out the crackdown that they are being watched, their names are being recorded and the day will come when there will be plenty of evidence to hold them personally accountable for their deeds

-          try to get financial help from all possible sources for pro-democracy organisations 

The following can be done by People inside Burma

-          be aware of political situation

-          get ready to participate in movements

-          follow the leadership and firmly stand for freedom 

The most important thing here is that all the movements should be under the single group of command with a series of planned procedures. All the works have to be done on the table as well as under the table. 

(Ref. Talk Is Cheap by William Kristol, 7.10.07, The
Washington Post)