QUESTION: Do We Need New Exile Government?
Jan 26th, 2008
DO WE NEED A NEW EXILE GOVERNMENT?
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As all know, military regime in Burma is pushing ahead with plans for their pro-military constitution and referendum for a new puppet civilian government.
So, the Question is do pro-democracy activists, especially those in exile, need to form a new rival government in exile, in competition to military regime.
So, we’d like to know your views on _
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Is it a good idea to form a new rival government in exile?
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Will a new rival government in exile be relevant to current political situations inside and outside the country?
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Will a new rival government in exile be able to make any political impact significantly?
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Will a new rival government in exile be of any benefit to ordinary people in Burma?
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Will the people of Burma keenly support a new rival government in exile?
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Can the formation of a new rival government in exile derail the negotiations between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and military regime?
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If a new rival government in exile is to be formed, how it should be formed and what kind of persons should be included in it?
You can write down your views in the comment box below.
(To read Special Feature articles on new exile Government, click here.)
January 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I want to say no once again. This move will weaken the democratic movenment around the world and even inside Burma.
We have to be united as a one. Junta is stronger? If they are stronger than ever they are united as a evil one.In the other hand we anti-junta groups and organizations are not united so no one cannot blame NCGUB and Dr. Sein Win alone .We have to blame ourselves because we are not united ,we are unprepared,we are pointing each other instead of fighting junta,we are not fully comitted to our cause dethrone the junta.Ask yourselves what I am saying and what I am doing.
I want to say the day we all are united as a one and sound one voice and put our personal feeling aside and fight ,we will win.
best regards,
Phone Hlaing-fwubc-japan.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Yes we need an umbrella coalition government in exile, parallel to the SPDC, and work effectively with inside political forces. This is the time not for discussion; this is the time for action.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
And the new true coalition government should invites all parties whoever interested in the regime change and future of democratic Burma.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
One more thing – Organization structure should be in distributed (network-base) form rather than centralize one. Depend on resource, capability, and location, they all should be able to align and synchronize with coalition’s strategy.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I don’t think we need a new rival government. NCGUB has got a good foundation of international recognition. Having a new one will only spread out our power thinner. I agree with Phone Hlaing, in a sense that we must to be united. If we cannot cooperate with NCGUB, no matter whose fault it is, I don’t think we can establish democracy anyway.
I think the problem with Burma is not really the junta. It is with ourselves. 1988, we took down 3 presidents, and at the end, the government mechanism was totally collapse. Remember, we had to guard our own streets every night with swords and knives because there was no government and therefore no police? Don’t forget that we did get the freedom, but we couldn’t keep it because the student leaders were fighting at that time as to who is going to take what roles. They disagree with Ma Su also. We asked for democracy but we didn’t know how to practice it. Our in-fights opened up the opportunity for the junta stepped in because we were in a big chaos.
Ever since I came to America, my question has been, “why do these American’s deserve democracy and we don’t?” Ma Su told us that we must have discipline if we wanted democracy. We didn’t understand what she was talking about because we have never experience democracy like she did, even though we asked for it because we have heard about and read about democracy.
Now, I understand the the problem is in ourselves more than in the junta. If we can’t practice democracy (unitedly) outside of Burma, we should never think about trying it in Burma. It will be like Iraq, we would need the blood of American soldiers to keep us go through a long time of learning to practice democracy.
Don’t forget to we succeeded in 1988, we just wasn’t able to keep it. So our question should be why we failed to keep it rather than how to fight again, or we will repeat the history. It is the same problem that causes us to fail in exile.
The main part of the problem is because growing up under the dictatorship most of our life span, the junta has systematically destroyed our ability to unify. We always suspect one another and try to stab the other before he or she stab us. I learned about this effect of systematic torture from my psychologist who treated me, who specialized in the way dictatorship destroy people’s ability to cooperate. We all are psychologically damaged by the junta, and we need serious healing before we can trust each other.
The testing ground of our readiness for democracy in Burma is our ability to unify with NCGUB. If we can’t trust them, we fall exactly into the trap of the junta. I don’t mean NCGUB is completely good and effective. What I mean is it is an established international platform for us to come together and work together to make it good and effective. If we can make NCGUB successful, we can make our democracy successful!
Enough for now.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:11 am
I would like to say this , they shouldn’t do this at now time , because of C.R.P,P is enough for Burma’ case . Daw Aung San Su Kyi built the C.R.P.P what would happened at the future , she already saw this , she prepared this , if they build this new exile government at Mae Sot, this will destroy the result of election of 1990 and weak the political activities in Burma,the military government will be glad and the junta will say the politicians at exile are like them, very greed to get the positions at the politic area so I don’t agree this.
Thi Ha at Thailand now
January 28th, 2008 at 8:55 am
The NCGUB and NCUB must have to say something.
We never will forget what the DASSK’s role is and also of CRPP but for the current situation how many Burmese inside and exile give credit to the opposition group? Do we realize that? People are saying one word, then I believe it has the reason to express this? The time has been changed, but we never. When??
Hope more people to express their views .. please ..
January 28th, 2008 at 8:58 am
It will not be worthwhile having exile government or another exile government.
1. If we are going to have or have, the military government will take an opportunity to strengthened its influence and power among the masses.
2. Relationship building, influencing, cooperation will be blocked in the land by millitary rulers and exile govt. may be less recognise, unwelcome, in the land by the people.
3. Dicriminations, deprivation, exclusions of pro-democracy activist staying in Burma will be more worse.
4. Intertnational solidarity and support for democracy will decrease, advocacy and lobby by UN or other Govt. towards the miollitary regime will be difficult than expected, took loneger time and bear less success.
5. If pro-Junta constitutions are pushed forward, we should bravely encountered by pushing pro-people democratic principle/movements.
6. many souls parished in the land (not ouside), many blood were spilled in the land. Those souls had already laid the foundation to eatablished pro-people democratic goverment in the land (not in exile).
7. Tolerance will judge the future of Burma.
8. Further study need base on the development and experience of the historical process in different regions/states.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:50 am
It is very controvertial!
What the people want and need is a “CHANGE”
Actually, “old” become new and “new” become “old” with time.
A substantial change requires life changing behavior.
Mere government change would not do much for the people.
The people also need to change themselves and live a life worthhile for Democratic Freedom.
I believe, a poem by a patriotic young burmese student of ABAC reflect perfectly the people’s desire; please refer to it on his blog “kaungkinko.blogspot”, the name of the poem is “a flame that need to be sparked or fueled with our lives”.
Only politicians can answer the question as to whether we need to from a new or rival government. It is beyound the understanding of common civillians.
thanks
Benny
January 29th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
We don’t need rubbish exile government.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
-Absolutely we do not need in exile government for seating do nothing and asking dollars to NGO’s for their own pocket money. (Old wine in new bottle)
But –
We strongly need who can sacrifices and work hard for the Nations reconciliation. The government Structures and strategy needed to change some activities like international campaign for power transparency.
-We really need to form the Federal Union Government in exile.
The Federal Union Government should be formed based on the distinct Nationalities MP’s and some prominent leaders and seat on the nearest Burma’s border areas.
The new incoming Federal Union Government must extended department concern about Military system and Defense services.
The new Federal Union Government Exile should have formed
Arm forces system. (Under Minister of Defense)
-If they work hard it will become the stronger and benefits for the inside and outside of the people and they can take advantage.
-Current situation of inside political condition is unprocessed; but exile government can do some international pressure. The exile government can’t derail present talking between the two leaders State Peace and Development Council and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Long live freedom and Genuine peace In Burma.
Thanks.
Salai Anthony Dikhu
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
My answers to the compelling questions:
Q. Is it a good idea to form a new rival government in exile?
A. Yes, The present government SPDC is useless in promoting genuine democracy and waiting and believing in crooks is more foolish and waste of time and energy. Time and Tide do not wait for man nor Wisdom and Ingenuity do not wait for moronic manifestation.
Q. Will a new rival government in exile be relevant to current political situations inside and outside the country?
A. Yes, if it is done in an appropriate ways, manners and means.
Q. Will a new rival government in exile be able to make any political impact significantly?
A. Yes, definitely. There is nothing like trying to be the best. The opposition inside Burma has no freedom nor strength nor authority to function effectively and efficiently. SPDC is systematically destroying the opposition inside Burma physically and mentally.
Q. Will a new rival government in exile be of any benefit to ordinary people in Burma?
A. Absolutely. The more there is competition and choices, the more ordinary people can be benefited from the variety of choices to choose.
Q. Will the people of Burma keenly support a new rival government in exile?
A. Yes, if the new rival government in exile can convince the people that they truly represent their interests and have able, capable personals to do the job done rightly.
Q. Can the formation of a new rival government in exile derail the negotiations between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and military regime?
A. No, it will NOT derail the negotiations but instead boost it for the world will see a more prepare intellectuals combined into a dynamic force to lead the nation in time of fatal flaws. The one lesson we can learn about Iraq is there is NO ready made Government (in exile) formed to take over when the illegal regime falls.
Q. If a new rival government in exile is to be formed, how it should be formed and what kind of persons should be included in it?
A. It should be formed as a single Central Government combining NCGUB, NCUB, ENC as one single entity with “new” guidelines and principles that reflects today’s situations/circumstances. Unity from diversity should be the theme/motto of this single NEW unified Government in exile.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I have been close to the FtWayne Burma Community for nearly 17 years, following all sorts of Burma news and following the growth of post 88 groups and I can tell you that I believe our Fort Wayne group, and all other groups of different generations need to begin to come together, especially at this time. In a December 3 hearing in Washington (about which few of us knew or were invited to) a relatively few and very narrow group of “experts” gave testimony to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (www.uscirf.gov) read it. It resulted in recommendations that were the same old tired ideas, focusing on the neutered U.N. (castrated by Russia and China…with U.S. standing silent) with no hard new recommendations. In U.S. Foreign affairs, we seldom reach out to other people’s people except where we trust a well connected “Chalabee wanabee” whose Washington connection is based on money or a scholar whose “academic” expertise has the same “beltway mentality”. With the exception of Senator Lugar’s office and Congressman Souder, no Washington insider as noticed that THOUSANDS OF BURMESE ARE NOT EVEN INVITED TO THE TABLE.
At about the same time, Foreign Affairs, along with the same sleepy Michael Green giving another predictably boring article.
I am preparing a paper for the Fort Wayne Roadmap Conference that, I hope, may provide some new (except some FREEDOM LOVING BURMESE HAVE SAID THEM BEFORE) ideas. The monks led the uprising and the military cruswhed it. All of this is in absolute opposition to Burma tradition going back hundreds of years and while Aung San Suu Kyi carries her father’s living blood, the Tatmadaw and the Buddha can be the final solution…let the soldiers take over from the Generals. Let the Ana of Suu Kyi and Aung San and the awza of the people and Dharma come together and may we tell SPDC their time is coming to an end.
In America, our military veterans were always ready to carry the soldier’s tradition forward against bad government, especially bad wars. This is now happening from Iraq. It is time for all the expatriot communities, especially on the open web, to tell Washington and the U.N that the same tired old status quo ante “leaders” DO NOT SPEAK FOR US!.
Fort Wayne’s wildly diverse communities of the Peoples of Burma is a huge success story of the power of a free Burma. SPDC needs to come and see. After we extract a promise of freedom, let us accompany them back to Burma and have free elections again. I am convinced that some of our current leaders and “scholars” would not get a single vote…they have not earned it, while some of our hardest working community members will be able to teach Burma what they have learned here…the good and the bad.
Let India understand that China wants to eat them as they have raped and eaten Burma’s government. Let the U.S. feel some real economic pain in turning out our China concessions while we still can (?).
My only wish in life outside my family is to visit a free Burma with my dearest friends here at my side. If not in this life, then may I be born in Burma in the next. I will join your Free Burma someday.
Ko Fred Gilbert,
February 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
NCGUB kicked out Harn Yawnghwe years ago because they can not compete him. Then, Harn Yawnghwe and his non-Burman ethnic brothers work together for years and finally Ethnic Nationalities Council emerged. The NCGUB and some racist ethnic Burmans are not very happy to see the ENC’s achivements. They would like to screw up the ENC. Therefore, they are talking to reform NCGUB so that they can get two birds with one stone.
NCGUB has been doing nothing in the past 17 years or so but selling Daw Suu’s credential and making certain personal benefits. Do they really care about restoration of democracy in the Union of Burma or do they really care about maintaining status quo – as members of NCGUB? or MP elected and self-appointed Ministers? If they really care about the former, they should have been listened what the non-Burman ethnic leaders said to them 8 years ago. But, for all of them, the later is more important than anything else.
Federal
February 5th, 2008 at 5:13 am
It is a previlage for me as a Burmese who can read the discussions of “Do we need a new exile government.” I was amazed that I had a chance to read differnet individual opinions from different point of views. Thanks to Burma Digest who create this open discussion.
I am definately sure that any media of inside Burma could not create similar kind of open discussion about “Promilitary constitution and refrendum for a new puppet civilian government.” I believed that Burmese people had no chance to speak up and discuss pros and cons of the new constituion openly. SPDC is pushing to legalize by force through their Kyant Phot and Swan-arr-shin thugs, instead of opening to the public.
Contrast to SPDC action, will the responsibile exile Pro-democracry leaders or groups will open and introduce the reason to form “New exile government.” Moreover, they can explain pros and cons, pitfalls, impact on both inside and outside of Burma and the consequences plus the fate of the country.
I just heard and read rumors and expectations of New exile government besides from this Burma Digest’s open discussion. I hope the responsible leaders will formally speak up and explain the real motive of forming this New exile Government before they actually do so.
I strongly believed that, the overseas Pro-democracy leaders will not use the same technique like SPDC who is using Kyant Phot and Swan-Arr-Shin thugs because we all are fighting for Pro-Democracy together. The responsible and wise leaders will explain and do formal forums before they actually adopt this New exile Government.
My suggestion to Burma Digest is, will you kindly describe the polls (data or number comparison of pro and agianst) of New exile Government at least weekly biasis? For example, every 7 days how many people support or against the idea of forming New exile Government. We can also do dialy biasis or every 5 days whatever is appropriate. This poll result can reflect the online discussion forum as well as it might helpful to the Pro-democracy leaders who actually involved in the coming New exile Government.
By the way, some said United States former President Clinton was sensitive to polls and do the appropriate policy changes depend upon polls results. Which means he is sensitive of public opinion. President George W. Bush is different from President Clinton. He made a decision what he thought which is the best interest of United States whatever polls results is showing outside.
How about our overseas Pro-deomocracy Burmese leaders?
Are they care their own grass roots?
Or are they really take responsiblity of their own actions ?
Or do they have guts to bear the consequences of what they are doing?
Thanks.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:10 am
If another new exile government pop up, the whole world will be laughing at us because we can’t laugh at ourselves anymore.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I surely need to change present political Crisis in Burma.Can the exile government change present political crisis in Burma? Can The exile government work more than NCUB?
If form the exile government,
The exile government must be maintained by all of us as the body of unity, cohesion and the relevance of our togetherness all the time. This body must become the symbol of peace and an icon of resistance against all dictatorial rules, corruptions and kleptomanias. This is the reason that this body will never become a government inside Burma . This body will change its terms, conditions and actions to suit its activities as electoral committee.)
February 8th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Dear Fellow Burmese,
While we are sharing our opinions at Burmadigest concerned with the new exile government, we need to analyze ourselves (Burmese) and our country (Burma). The soci-economic crisis of the Burmese people is getting worse and worse and the brutality of the military junta is higher and higher. As an overseas Burmese, we need to look back the suffering of our country and people before we create anything even we have good intention.
The darkest days of modern Burmese history
Fellow Burmese people:
Our thar-the-nar (religion) was down graded, our culture and moral were ruined, our Burmese ladies are working as prostitutes in overseas, our country became one of the poorest countries in the world, and the neighboring countries sucked up our resources and don’t care about what we are suffering.
The most challenging days ahead of Burmese culture and Buddhism by own Burmese military junta. Not by the other religions or foreign occupiers. The question is:
Are they haunted by their own illusion that was introduced by General U Ne Win?
Are you ready to save your religion, country & culture?
Due to their ego pride, the military junta brutally crackdown the Buddhist monks which over 90% of Burmese people respected as part of their devoted Buddhist religion and moral high ground last year. This event pushed not only to the brink of ruining the democratic transition but also to the brink of challenging the Burmese Buddhist culture and religion.
It looks like green uniform army generals are above of all including the traditional Buddhist religion. Now, we can say it is the darkest days of modern Burmese history in which Burmese culture and devoted Buddhist religion were being challenged by its own Burmese military junta not by the other religions and foreign occupiers.
The Burma Army was led by handful of corrupted Generals who don’t want to transfer the power to the people. Moreover, they brutally killed and crack down the Buddhist monks, raided the respected monasteries, and still terrorizing the whole country. Even they tried to punish their own military officer who gave respect to the marching Buddhist monks during demonstration in Mandalay. At the same time the Generals are trying to get support for their undemocratic self drawn road map plan without put efforts meaningful National reconciliation.
The fake rallies were started forced by the local officers and thugs (Kyant Phot & Swan-arr-shin) after they brutally crack down the non-violent peaceful demonstrations initiated by 8888 generation students’ leaders and lead by monks. While the international community is condemning their brutal crack down on the Buddhist monks and people, the Generals still want to implement the road map plan by force. They are trying to ease the international pressure by putting the ex-general Aung Kyi as a liaison minister to talk with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is still under house arrest and while the political prisoners, monks, demonstrators including Min Ko Naing and 8888 students’ leaders are in jailed. The military junta still intensively crack down the people who against them until today.
Let see the different scenarios that can come out in the near future.
Worst scenario:
1. To legalize the new constitution through by force rallies without the proper referendum.
2. The dialogues between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and SPDC will be canceled with false accusation towards her.
3. Implementation of the new constitution and introduce the new election within the time frame set up by the military junta. Intensive crack down on NLD party members and announce as unlawful party with false accusations.
Different scenario:
If the Generals showed their leniency towards the pro-democracy movement and have sincere democratic transition;
1. They will allow modifying their road map plan and constitution with NLD party
lead by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic groups.
2. Or they may allow forming interim government based on the 1990 elected MPs,
military personals and some respected intellectuals and respected ethnic leaders to
take care until the new election was placed.
The best scenario that I (personal) would like to see:
1. Form the interim government composed of 1990 elected MPs at least 45%, respected ex-army generals and some uncorrupted generals from the military, respected intellectuals, and respected ethnic leaders (or CRPP to lead the interim government). Transfer the power from SPDC to interim government. It must govern the country for four years time frame.
2. Within four years, interim government has a responsibility to convene National convention and implement National reconciliation among all democratic forces (lead by NLD party and 88888 generation student leaders plus 2007 generation leaders, Overseas Burmese), ethnic groups and the military leaders. New constitution must be finished within two years time frame.
3. New constitution must be adopted through referendum on the third year.
4. The election will be held on the forth year and the democratic transition of power from the interim government to newly elected government.
“Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”
What shall we do if the dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and SPDC collapse?
We already had past experience before. We need to prepare for the worst.
The political leaders and people who initiate to fight against the military junta are different. Who initiated and started in 1988 peoples’ uprising? Who started in 2007 uprisings? Any political leaders initiate or lead the uprisings. The answer is no. They might involve in some level behind the scene but mostly involved and lead at the height of every uprising when the situation tilted to the peoples’ side. This is the true realities. Do what they are supposed to do. We respect and understand to them.
Our country needs genuine political leaders to lead the country. That is what we are fighting for. But the people who dare to fight for the country must also do what they suppose to do. We don’t need to conflict about that among us.
“Live for nothing, die for something”
Dear fellow Burmese people:
Our peoples’ moral been corrupted for long time since General U Ne Win era.
Our country became one of the poorest countries in the world.
Now, our Burmese Buddhist religion and long traditional culture were down graded and challenged by the present military rulers.
My question is: What we had left? What values still we have that we can be proud of as a human being.
Are we still worth to live as a proud Burmese in this world?
We are reached to the point of no return.
We must safe our religion, our country, and our culture.
Fellow Burmese people:
This is the double sword situation for the Burmese people.
If we let those generals stayed in power, we are the most idiot and coward people in this world. On the other hand, look at the generals, how they corrupted, ignorant, and brutal. The world knows that and feels that those Generals are also Burmese. What the world can see is the Burmese Generals are ruling the country and the Burmese people are still let them ruling the country even we tried two failed popular uprisings (1988 & 2007).
This is the national dignity. We all have to stand up and fight.
We have nothing left. Our thar-the-nar (religion) was down graded, our culture and moral was ruined, our Burmese ladies are working as prostitutes in overseas, our country became one of the poorest countries in the world, and the neighboring countries sucked up our resources and don’t care about what we are suffering.
What we had left?
Nothing, nothing, nothing…
Live for nothing, die for something
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
A-myo, bar-thar, thar-tha-nar
Dr. Thiha Ba Kyi
Fort Wayne, United States
naingluu@aol.com
Please visit redo8888.com
February 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Another exile government means another split in the exile democratic forces. That would be the view of the International Community towards us. We could not get positively effected staunch support from the World if we cannot assure the World that there will be no “Balkanization” in Burma, (say) after we take over power from SPDC. We must show our unbreakable unity and win the trust of the International Community. We must not let the US, EU and the World down with our craziness. If all of you are not united, SPDC will live long.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Dear Friends
We don’t need a new government.If we need one,the NLD ,the party which has the mandate to draw a constitution and to form a government,would form a rival gov.In the media interviews U Nwe Aung (London) and U Myint Thein(Thailand) announced they would form a fed.gov.using a new fed constitution.Not using NLD’s.I wonder they have the mandate.What we need is not a new gov.We need unity only.If we form a new one ,the SPDC would be happy.It would be against the NCGUB,the exile gov.Whether the NCGUB is good enough or not ,we should strenthen it.The SPDC formed a new govn. and has drawned a new constitution without acknowledgement of 1990 election.It will be no difference with the SPDC if some party try to form a new Gov.without mandatory.Please think twice if you want to support to form a new Gov.
Win Pe
a retired teacher