Burma

Win Tin Speaks Out

By THE IRRAWADDY Wednesday, September 9, 2009

COMMENTS (11)

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In an article published in the Washington Post on Wednesday, Win Tin hit out at the Burmese regime’s planned election in 2010.

Win Tin has spent 19 years in prison for his political beliefs and is considered to be the country’s most prominent contemporary politicians.

The senior leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) wrote: “Some international observers view next year's planned elections as an opportunity. But under the circumstances imposed by the military's constitution, the election will be a sham.”

He stated in his article that his party will not sacrifice the democratic principles for which many millions of Burmese have marched, been arrested, been tortured and died to participate in a process that holds no hope whatsoever for bringing freedom to Burma.

And he reinforced the NLD’s demands that all political prisoners are released, a full review of the constitution is granted and that the opposition be allowed to reopen its offices and have the right to associate and organize.

The former journalist and editor of the well-known Hanthawaddy newspaper wrote: “The regime's answer is the continued jailing of [Aung San] Suu Kyi and 2,000 other activists, massive military offensives against ethnic groups and the enforcement of rules to gag democracy.”

He also criticized US Sen James Webb’s recent and controversial visit to Burma.

Win Tin said that he understands Webb's desire to seek a meaningful dialogue with the Burmese ruling authorities. But, he said, “Unfortunately, his efforts have been damaging to our democracy movement and focus on the wrong issue—the potential for an "election" that Webb wants us to consider participating in next year as part of a long-term political strategy. But the showcase election planned by the military regime makes a mockery of the freedom sought by our people and would make military dictatorship permanent.”

Webb’s visit received mixed reviews among Burmese and international observers. Burma’s military leaders, including junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, received Webb during his visit and allowed the US senator to meet detained democracy leader Suu Kyi.

Many ordinary Burmese in Burma mistakenly thought Webb represented the US government. Therefore, they assumed the US had dramatically shifting its policy on Burma by embracing the repressive regime.

The US government’s policy on Burma is under review and it is believed that the new policy will be a mixture of carrots and sticks.

During a recent visit to Asia, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that neither sanctions nor engagement work with Burma’s military dictatorship.

COMMENTS (11)

Moe Aung Wrote:

12/09/2009

soethane,

'A piece of paper doesn't entrench military rule.'

Very true, it's guns.

'It's the NLD that wants to talk to the junta.'

It's the junta that doesn't talk to the NLD. It wants the NLD to shut up and obey.

'It's about changing the country despite the junta.'

The junta must go in order to bring about real change.

Eric Johnston Wrote:

12/09/2009

"Remember, even in the USA there was the American Revolution and the victory against the red coats (British) before they wrote up the constitution."

The work to draft a US Constitution was begun shortly after the outbreak of the War of Independence (1775-1783). It always helps to know what you are fighting for.

soethane Wrote:

11/09/2009

Free Man writes that there is no shred of evidence that these dictators show any respect for basic human rights etc (which is true).

Then he says there has to be an inclusive political process.

If they don't even respect basic human rights, why would they agree to an inclusive political process?

And who cares about the constitution? A piece of paper doesn't entrench military rule. They can just throw it away whenever they want.

The engagement argument isn't about talking to the junta. It's the NLD that wants to talk to the junta. It's about changing the country despite the junta.

Free Man Wrote:

10/09/2009

Participating in the SLORC/SPDC-sponsored election will only legitimize the sham NC referendum and rigid 2008 constitution, and entrench the military rule in Burma.

It should be remembered that there hasn't been a single shred of evidence since day one indicating that these dictators shows a modicum of respect for basic democratic values and human rights.

Are we really serious in putting the entire people of Burma in virtually eternal military survitude?

One should bear in mind that there will never be durable peace and harmony in Burma unless there is a genuine inclusive democratic politcal process.

One doesn't need to go to ask an astrologer or a god to see where this election will take Burma and her people.

Moe Aung Wrote:

10/09/2009

Pragmatism can be a welcome refuge of spineless opportunisits. Neither ASSK nor U Win Tin is prepared to follow the SPDC tamely down their devious roadmap because they realize where it's going to lead.

It's not even like we haven't been through a sham referendum recently and before, or an election in the past rigged up by the same outfit to achieve or simply renege on the result to the outcome they desired at the expense of the entire nation. Do we ever learn from history?

It's all very easy for those who do not fully understand the regime's mindset, and those looking for business opportunities, to clamor for cooperation and participation just to find out what happens next with the forlorn hope of changing things for the better. Pigs might fly or the tiger go vegetarian.

tocharian Wrote:

10/09/2009

U Win Tin's legalistic arguments about the new "constitution" and the 2010 elections don not help much, even if he's right. It's like standing on the railroad track and yelling "I have the right of way" to a freight train thundering towards you. Get real NLD!

Senator Webb, is, at least, trying to do Realpolitik, although I'm not so sure whether he has the full support of the State Department, because the US has to be very careful about China's role ("G2").

Meanwhile China (the other superpower) is reaping all the economic and political benefits in Burma: dual pipelines, naval bases, hydroelectric dams, Chinese traders dealing with gems, timber, etc., proxy "ethnic" armies (run by drug barons), you name it!

Remember, even in the USA there was the American Revolution and the victory against the red coats (British) before they wrote up the constitution. Only winners and rulers can write constitutions.

George Than Setlyar Heine Wrote:

10/09/2009

U Win Tin's reinforced NLD’s demands - all political prisoners are released, a full review of the constitution is granted and the opposition allowed to reopen its offices and have the right to associate and organize - should be the US,EU and UN's bottom line for policy on Burma.

The question of holding elections in 2010 is no big deal as a democratic constitution is in place and Burma's future is no more under the barrel of a gun.

And Daw Suu's as well as NLD's role in future politics of Burma also will be subject on the will of the people like Than Shwe and his thugs' future depending on how much and how far they cooperate in this regard and in lieu of lowly drug traffickers and Chinese proxies like Bau You Xiang and Peng Jiasheng challenging them even while living on Burmese soil today.

Than Shwe can claim his glory and earn the gratitude of the people as well if he rid Burma of Chinese proxies first before handing over the reins of the country to the people and their leaders.

Salai Biak Wrote:

09/09/2009

Respected Win Tin,

Thanks a lot for your concern for Burmese people. But I'm sorry to disappoint to inform you that 'democracy' isn't the ultimate aim to achieve for the Westerners, particularly the U.S. That doesn't mean that democracy promotion does not matter, but Burma's issue has become into the U.S national interest a priority for their foreign policy pursuit. Any boycott and continued demand to review the constitution simply won't work, but rather undermine the credibility of the NLD. Things have to start from a bottom-up, not from top-to-bottom, an old outdated approach you have pursued for the last two decades.

So you need to think 2010 election very seriously. If you decide to take part, people'll vote for you to a certain extent. But I must warn you (meaning NLD) that you don't contest in ethnic areas including in the Chin state (like you did in 1990 election), give way for ethnic people. If you follow these suggestions, NLD will once again remain as peoples' hope.

Adam Selene Wrote:

09/09/2009

Win Tin endured a grueling time in jail. I have the deepest respect for his sacrifice. But I do feel that hatred amongst both sides is hindering progress in Burma. I can understand that Win Tin is angry and that he feels that he never wants to budge for the crooks in charge of the country, but a reasonable pragmatic stance is needed now. The NLD should participate in the elections and keep pushing for them to be as democratic and inclusive as possible. As long as the NLD doesn't have (or offers) any alternative, why not assist the generals in the digging of their own graves in the long run? Win Tin should put his emotions aside and get as much of a result for his people as possible. Continuing the deadlock surely is no solution.

Tide Wrote:

09/09/2009

Hi U Win Tin,

Just because ASSK/NLD/you can't get into the political ring, it doesn't mean we, especially younger generations must give up our opportunity. Democracy alone does not represent freedom; political freedom alone does not bring about development. You are single, and you can spend the rest of your life either in jail or at your home talking ego-centric point of views. We, younger generations, need to grasp this tiny opportunity even if it may sound sham to you. If one can't grasp such opportunity, then how can one get into the process? I wonder why Suu Kyi did not say "no" to the meeting arrangement with Web. Opps - of course, Web is white and VERY American. The black guy's request, Gambari, to meet her was turned down, and she did not even respond to the loud-speaker. At the end, the white guy did not favor her sanctions stance. By the way, where was she right after Nargis? She can write books, but can't send out much needed humanitarian message to the world.

Free Man Wrote:

09/09/2009

A resounding ditto to what U Lay Gyi Win Tin said. Some don't seem to really understand or are completely ignorant of the root causes of the political conundrum of Burma and completely blind to what this illegitimate regime has been doing, which is pathetic. The International Crisis Group (ICG)is one of those.