More or less every day, there are reports of peoples’ defiance in Burma. On Friday three more Burmese have to be added to the list. They are guilty of leaking the State secrets.

“State” is the favorite terminology of the regime and it stands for the regime. Whatever the mandatory public works is done it is said of the State’s contribution. E.g. the expenditure for construction of a school is to say a gift by the “State” although the local people are forced to donate. So are the all foreign assistances which are handled, manipulated, siphoned and misused by the State as the people of Burma have no say at all. In view of that the Official Development Assistance (ODA) is opposed by the opposition. Sanctions including arms embargo and visa ban are welcome. The same was applied with international aid for Cyclone Nargis which hit Burma on May 2, 2008, resulting catastrophic destruction and nearly 150,000 deaths. So the Head of the State deserves all the credits.

20 years ago it was the “People”, the annotation of Burmese Socialism for 26 years. Everywhere were billboards which displayed “People”. But Burma became one of the Least Developed Countries in 1987. So thanks went to the Chairman of the Burma Socialist Program Party. Euphemism is the fanatical practice of the generals for the last 48 years in Burma and it is true till today.

Now death verdict for so-called State secrets! What are the secrets? What are the consequences if leaked to media and public?

Obviously the leakages are the official records of the State visits to three foreign countries namely North Korea, Russia and India. Apart from China, those are enthusiastic supporters of the regime. The people of Burma look what are the contents of those documents, what agreements were reached with Burmese leaders by those three countries?

North Korea provided technology for secret underground tunnels around the new capital Naypyiday. Nuclear technology was also shared by Kim Jong-il. Photos of construction are available on Internet then. And North Korea ships came to Burma water and Indian Ocean.

Through number two of the regime V Senior General Maung Aye Russia promised for nuclear and military hardware. It proved correct as Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter planes to Burma on the eve of last Christmas. The contract is worth 400m Euros while the regime spends less than 3% of national expenditures o­n health, while the military consumes 40%.

What are from Republic of India? The 7-member delegation headed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam would provide US$90 million for Kaladan project, US$10 million as loan for the same project, US$7 million for Cyber Optical Link, US$1.3 million for upgrading satellite ground station in Rangoon, establishment of ICT park in Mandalay, US$3 million for on-board training, assistance for Physical Connectivity, Electronic Connectivity, and Knowledge Connectivity, 50 officers form e-government training, 20 PhD students, upgrading science labs in Rangoon and Mandalay Universities, establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Center and etc. The political assurance from India was gratefulness to the Roadmap and the promises given on 6^th March 2006. India would defend Burma at UN, ILO and UNHRC. India kept promise and voted for SPDC at all three assemblies.

These days the death sentences come from China and Burma. The coincidence is that both cases in two countries started in July 2009. All are against the rulers in power. Meanwhile in Burma a female reporter for Democratic Voice of Burma TV and radio was sentenced to 20 years. It is also equivalent to death sentence.

Those sentenced Burmese are active and retired government employees. Two of them are uniformed officers. It shows that the military personals and government employees continue opposing the regime. Definitely there are more of such courageous peoples in service. One of them was the personal assistant to the third highest man Lt. General Tin Oo who was the Secretary 2 and killed in a mysterious helicopter crush in February 2001. No one has been tried for that killing.
The sad news followed the announcement of increase of salaries by the end of January 2010. Therefore the regime is making rigorous self-assuring preparations for the upcoming election which could be held this year. The message to the people is that they enjoy State’s salary increment and then to choose between 20-years or death sentence and vote for them. Death or Vote!

Dr. Tint Swe

9-1-2010