A Case of Mistaken Priorities

Outside of Burma, some foreign diplomats and scholars have said that President Thein Sein is a genuine reformist and have compared him to the likes of Gorbachev. But while the initial steps taken by his new government have been welcome, Thein Sein is finding it is easier to convince foreign governments and observers than his own Burmese people that those steps will lead to real reform in the future.

Chief among the recent government actions that have been praised by many in the international community are the release of over 200 political prisoners, the decision to suspend work on the Myitsone dam, the meeting between Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi, the lessening of restrictions on press freedom and the opening up of debate in Parliament.

Aung Zaw is founder and editor of the Irrawaddy magazine. He can be reached at [email protected].

Although everyone agrees that much more needs to be done, Burma has been assured that the US and EU member countries are ready to relax sanctions if the new quasi-civilian government takes more concrete actions going forward, and outside of Burma there has been a growing sense of hope and optimism regarding the nation.

Yet interestingly, many Burmese people living inside the country remain doubtful and distrustful about whether the recent government gestures are a sign that meaningful change is taking place.

The skeptics inside Burma include ordinary citizens as well as activists, Buddhist monks, journalists and the over 1,000 political prisoners who remain behind bars. In addition, the country’s ethnic people have a deep-seated mistrust of the government, and the continued military offensives and human rights abuses in ethnic regions have taken that level of trust down to almost zero.

Dr. Nay Zin Latt, one of Thein Sein’s political advisors, told The Irrawaddy that the Burmese government wants to receive acknowledgement and appreciation for the actions it has taken thus far. He said that foreign diplomats he had spoken to in Naypyidaw seemed to understand this, but also confided that among the Burmese people living inside Burma, there has been a lukewarm reception to recent reforms.

People in Burma remain doubtful, and it seems that for the most part the country’s government and citizens are not on the same page. The only time the government has truly won the hearts and minds of the people was when Thein Sein announced his decision to suspend the controversial Myitsone Dam project in Kachin State.

The skepticism of the people living inside Burma remains high enough that even past critics of the regime feel they must avoid praising the new government too profusely for fear of a backlash from their loyal supporters.

Ludu Sein Win, a veteran journalist and well-known critic of the previous regime who has written several articles encouraging the current administration to take more concrete steps, said he must be careful when he writes, not because of government censors but because of the still-skeptical Burmese people.

Maung Wun Tha, a writer and editorial advisor to the Pyithu Khit (People’s Age) journal who has been writing critical analysis on the current political events in Burma, told The Irrawaddy that he also has to be careful not to overly laud the government’s current steps. His readers will respond quickly and harshly if he does so, he said, and therefore he maintains a cautious tone.

However, Maung Wun Tha also said that the Burmese public is justified in its continued deep level of distrust toward the government despite the easing of certain oppressive restrictions. He points to widespread disappointment regarding the government’s decision to include only around 200 political prisoners, and no leaders of the 88’ Generation Students group, in its recent amnesty program—although some opposition and government sources have suggested that the 88 Generation Students group leaders will be released soon.

On October 11, the state-sponsored Myanmar National Human Rights Commission—of which several members had been strong defenders of the previous regime’s appalling human rights record—sent a request to the president to free those “prisoners of conscience” who do not pose a threat to state stability and public tranquility, so they could participate in nation-building tasks for the benefit of the Burmese society.

The next day, Thein Sein signed an amnesty letter ordering that 6,359 prisoners be released.