“Mr. GAMBARI’S WATERLOO”

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Mr. Gambari’s latest press conference at the UNSC on December 18, 2007, clarifying the progress of his mission, which he is spear-heading today, frankly does not bode well with us. Obviously, his perspective on the prevailing crisis in Burma is very marginal and vague least to say, giving unclear answers and parrying reporters’ queries. He is keen on going back again to Burma only and fails to capture our confidence due to the fact that he has failed miserably in his previous missions as widely known. Still, we are doubtful that he would be allowed to meet Than Shwe and persuade the top military despot to listen to what the world wanted him to know this time also.
His answer to the progress made on his last visit was quick, fingering at the recent release of local criminals and some Buddhist monks by the regime. But, when asked if he knew while releasing mostly criminals and common thieves the military regime was rounding up several thousand political activists, including the Buddhist monks and students, he countered by asking for specifics, numbers. Mr. Gambari’s reaction was on the verge of upset and belligerent, avoiding direct answers and counter questionings. His actions reflected his desire to base the case upon what the military regime told him only and refusing to say anything about the ongoing oppressions in Burma even though he knew very well no doubt. This added much credulity to his character, lacking in transparency and honesty, unlike Mr. Pinheiro, who did his job well. Hence, we are very skeptical of his credibility and thus, harbored many qualms over the success of his mission, democratization of Burma, at least to say.
Also, he has cited he asked the military authorities firstly, the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political detainees, secondly, affect a substantive and time-bound all inclusive dialogue and thirdly, invite all relevant parties to participate in the drawing of a broad based democratic constitution.
On his last sojourn to Burma, he tried to affect a three way dialogue nd pleaded to meet with the top dog in the military hierarchy in urma, but to no avail on both counts. And Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Ko Naing and all high profile political prisoners are still held under house arrest and in prisons. Today, Min Ko Naing and his close colleagues who are instrumental in the Saffron Revolution are thrown into death row cells with murderers and killers, though they are high profile political detainees.
Lately, Than Shwe has specifically, outlawed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the UN involvement in the political process of Burma via his speech given at the passing out parade at the Defense Services Academy in Maymyo in upper Burma on December 14, 2007. Moreover, Than Shwe’s mouthpiece Kyaw Hsan dubbed the information minister, openly said in the wake of Gambari’s visit, ” No assistance or advice from other persons is required “, a clear bracketing of Gambari and UN’s role in the democratization process of Burma.
Nevertheless, Ban Ki-moon has set up Gambari with money and staff to take on the military regime in Burma. And the Nigerian diplomat is keen on visiting Burma again, despite a loud and clear message topped with disdain and disgust from the top infidel in the ruling military in Burma that his involvement in the democratic process of Burma is no longer wanted.
Given the fact, we see no point in Gambari visiting the military ruled country again as obvious. In case, the Nigerian diplomat is poised to play politics with the military rulers in Burma, he has to take note of the fact that they know ‘diplomatic dabbling’ more than Gambari does, as they have been playing it since more than four decades ago until today, long before Gambari became a diplomat, to say the least.
Also, Than Shwe and his thugs are not playing politics, in its true sense and color. They have no policy, much less principles, but are employing ‘dirty tricks’ under the pretext of politics, like all hoodlums worldwide do; saying one thing and doing another, as lacking in morals and human decency unlike all civilized people, who professed and value self-respect and self-esteem more than their religion.
Setting up Gambari grandly with money and staff like Ban Ki-moon is doing now would garner no substantive results, and history would record it as a failed bid only, at the expense of the world citizens’ money, squandered and precious time wasted. A case in point is that of former UN envoy for Burma, a Malaysian diplomat who was in ambari’s
shoes one time and went into history as a ‘loser’ and ‘failure’ though gaining something for himself.
Though they were born Buddhists, the military thugs in Burma have evolved into ‘ beasts wearing Sanction Proof vests’ today and know only ‘brute force’ as the medium and tool to settle differences.
Hence, lacking in reason and logic unlike rational people, beasts could not be taught, much less put sense in their heads. Knowing brute force as the only language they know and respect, applying a bigger, more powerful force would be the better to keep beasts like Than Shwe and his thugs in line and at bay.
In this view, Ban Ki-moon could save a lot of taxpayers’ money and energy of his diplomats, not to mention his own or putting the dignity and credibility of the world body at stake, by dealing with the rogue regime in Burma in the only language they know and respect – brute force.
Until and unless, the UN plays the game in all seriousness and purpose, the people of Burma would still remain under the boot of the military, while the UN or UNSC still lacking in political will and resolve – wandering around Asia and elsewhere like Gambari today to restore freedom and democracy in their country and foot-dragging like today.

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