Strategy to win over

hearts and minds of the SPDC,

China, India, ASEAN and USA

…

To overcome the current political impasse, we clearly need to read back the well tested methods of Dale Carnegie by revising his, “How to win friends and influence people” or the Burmese translated book of U Nu, “Meik Ta Bala Dee Kar”. I had read the book about fifty times when I was young, but I regret that I could not get enough time to revise it in the last twenty years.

I try to think and plan the Strategies to win over hearts and minds of our counterpart  opponent friends in SPDC, China, India, ASEAN and our best friend USA to understand, agree and support us with more enthusiasms and force. Dale Carnegie and other motivation writers’ advises, keep on invading my mind.

I hope that as long as I refrain from copying their books, my thoughts which I think aloud or giving advise or probing for the new ideas to improve or change the sociopolitical condition of our downtrodden country could not be regarded as the infringement of the copy rights. Dale Carnegie had sold the ideas for the practical use and Mr Dale Carnegie would definitely proud and happy to see that his ideas are discussed to help Burma free from oppression, poor and backwardness.

First of all, we should look at the emergence or materialization of the new Democratic Government and the Federal Democratic Union of Burma, from China, India, ASEAN and USA’s POV. (Point of View)

• China, India and ASEAN may definitely wish to continue the privileges in trade and investment.
• We all opposition or Democratic forces outside and inside Burma should promise that they would not be kicked out, their investment and property would not be nationalized and all of their rights would be protected and even could be better than what the present SPDC had allowed.

We heard the news that ex Japanese Ambassador was not friendly to NLD and Daw Suu because he was once said to be snubbed by Daw Suu during 88 revolution climax.

And there were rumours that Chinese Ambassador was also given tjhe cold shoulder and turned down from seeing Daw Suu by the high ranking NLD officials at that time.

When Daw Suu was asked about her vision for the future rights and chances of the Minority Ethnic races and Minority religious groups, she was reported to have answered that it was important to get the democracy first and she would consider about them later.

When Daw Suu was asked about the action to be taken after transferring power, on to the Military Generals for their atrocities committed, she replied that she could forgive and forget but it was up to the peoples who suffered the atrocities to be decided.

And at an important conference, one NLD official declared that persons like Maung Khin Nyunt should be arrested and tried at the Nuremburg Criminal Court.

Actually we all should draw, declare and promise to uphold or undertake something like an Election Manifesto or our Democratic pledges.

In order to get a Win-Win solution deal in our Dialogue with the SPDC the Negotiations must be aimed in finding a fair compromise to form a Coaliation Care Taker Government.

All of us need to sacrifice_

• some of our selfishness,
• have a Chetana for our country’s future
• and all must make sure not to insult or dent the ego of the other side.

We must not only think what we want selfishly.

We need to consider from our opponents’ side and the present reality or socio-political condition of our country and the outside world.

The following is a list of actions which should or should not be taken when there is conflict.

Useful tips are as follows:

• We all need to understand all the possible dangers, repercussions, revenge and problems that the Myanmar Military Generals could face after handing over power.
• We all should try to look from their POVs, point of views.
• Then only we could be able to convince our opponents so that they would also reciprocally accept our point of view or in other way try to be understood us by others.
• Listen actively to fully understand the SPDC, China, India and ASEAN’s POVs or their views and standings interestingly or if possible, sympathetically.
• And try to find the solution for their_
  • alleged grievances,
  • sufferings
  • and requests.
• Focus on the problem, not the person. Don’t try to attack personally.
• Don’t try to blocked out or shut-off any one or any party.
• Don’t assume, judge or blame the SPDC prematurely or if possible never commit this crime.
• Don’t disregard the Myanmar Military General’s interests.
• Don’t allow emotions to override the discussion.
• Don’t focus on personality traits of Military Junta that cannot be changed.
• Don’t allow emotions to override our Game Plan. (But it is not a game only.)

Don’t allow our_

• hatred of military
• or generals
• or Nationalist spirit
• or hatred of foreigners
• or new comers
• or mixed blooded people
• or other race or religion

to derail our democratization movement.

We need crucial negotiation skill, strategies, tools and techniques to effectively handle this negotiation which involves the greatest political conflict of our country.

We need to be able to create a strong negotiating position, even if we think we are in a weak position, we must keep in mind that most of the people, UN and almost the hole world is supporting us.

If so, we may need to brush up our win-win negotiation skills.

We need to be able to reach a fair compromise in this Negotiation so that the results would be the Win-Win for all.

Effective negotiation helps us to resolve situations like this where we  want, FULL DEMOCRACY.

But this conflicts with what SPDC and Myanmar Tatmadaw wants;  

• NOT A DEMOCRACY
• BUT the MILITARY’S TOTAL DOMINENCE FOREVER.  

The aim of win-win negotiation is to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties, and leaves both parties feeling that they’ve won, in some way, after the event. There are different styles of negotiation, depending on circumstances.  

• If we do not expect to deal with Myanmar Tatmadaw ever again and we do not need their goodwill, then it may be appropriate to “play hardball”, seeking to win a negotiation while the other person loses out.
• We should purposely show our graciousness by letting the Tatmadaw Generals what they want.
• We must think, discuss and proposed in advance as the incentives to the SPDC to willingly start a dialogue. 

We must think and discuss what we and the SPDC have that we can trade for the mutual benefit.

• Their power of control of the country as the government
• and our support by the people and the world leaders esp. the western democratic countries.

These are the facts that each has that the other wants.

• We should work out to trade these. 
• We should base on all of the above considerations and think about the possible compromises we could reach.

For a negotiation to be ‘win-win’, both parties should feel positive about the negotiation once it’s over.

This helps people keep good working relationships afterwards.

We should carefully explore our position and the SPDC’s position, with the goal of finding a mutually acceptable compromise that gives us both as much of what we want as possible.