Interview

Tutu Dismisses Election as 'Charade'

By THE IRRAWADDY Friday, March 12, 2010

COMMENTS (4)

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How can you claim to hold a free democratic election when the leader of the main opposition which won a landslide victory in the last truly democratic and free election is excluded and where the election commissioners will be handpicked by the junta? How could they ever be evenhanded? We are more likely to find snow in hell than free democratic elections in Burma under the present dispensation.

Q: What is your message to Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,000 political prisoners, and the millions of oppressed people of Burma who suffer at the hands of the regime?

Despite the strong support of the international community for Burma's non-violent struggle for democracy, the movement is losing its effectiveness in opposing the regime's authoritarianism. Can you share your experience of non-violent struggle in South Africa?

A: My dear Sister Nobel Laureate, my dear sisters and brothers in Burma, we admire your courage and determination. This is a moral universe. Right and wrong matter. We used to tell our people even in the darkest times in South Africa that the perpetrators of injustice have already lost despite their guns and their military and police might. They have already lost because they are on the side of injustice, oppression and evil.

You are on the winning side. One day we will come to Rangoon to join you in your celebrations when you, my sister, are inaugurated as the true, freely elected leader of Burma just as Nelson Mandela came out of jail and became our leader. The perpetrators of injustice and oppression will bite the dust as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. God bless you all.

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COMMENTS (4)

Garrett Wrote:

21/03/2010

Quote Kerry:

"Burma could be free of this nightmare by the end of 2010. The world simply cannot allow this travesty to continue."

Sure, if "the world" plans on forming a military coalition to go into Burma to remove the SPDC & purge the corrupt officers from the Burma army.

It's more likely that "the world" will continue to take part in the rape of Burma by supporting the regime with their corporate investments & political inactions, just as "the world" did in Iraq after the first gulf war.

And why should "the world" need to offer the Burmese people their "heartfelt apologies" when year after year, 30 million-plus Burmese citizens meekly allowed their sons to become the enforcers of their poverty, as well as the tools of the SPDC persecution, rape, & enslavement of 15 million-plus ethnic minority Burmese citizens?

As long as the majority of the Burmese people refuse to stand-up for the freedom and democracy of ALL Burmese citizens, "the world" will NEVER stand-up for them.

Kerry Wrote:

13/03/2010

The people of Burma are not just in a "dilemma," Moe Myatye. They are at a crossroads.

Burma could be free of this nightmare by the end of 2010. The world simply cannot allow this travesty to continue.

The generals are not just "selfish," MM. They are a barbaric relic from another era.

People are over thugs posing as statesmen. People are even over the "displeasure" from much larger countries who support them, to hide their own grave human rights transgressions.

This is, after all, 2010. The Internet has enabled people to speak from even the darkest corners.

The whole world is watching Burma. The best hope for the generals is to try to find some obscure country that will take them because of the blood money they have in their banks somewhere.

Wealth did not protect those who were called to account at Nuremberg.

Burmese people have had enough "bitter pills," my friend. No more dying. It is time for Burma to rejoin the world, with our heart-felt apologies.

BROB Wrote:

12/03/2010

Tutu is absolutely correct! If only more public figures would stand up for a free democratic Burma, the quicker Than Shwe comes before the International Criminal Court for his crimes against humanity!

AUNG SAN SUU KYI is without doubt the democratically voted leader of Burma. The forthcoming elections this year can NEVER be recognised while the leader of the opposition is imprisoned.
Hitler did the same.. Than Shwe is the Burmese Hitler.

So why is the world tolerating him and his regime? Sanctions.. and get rid of him!!

Moe Myatye Wrote:

12/03/2010

Live or Die Trying
The people of Burma are in dillemma. They want a free and fair election. And the rest of the world also will trust only if Aung San Suukyi are allowed to compete. But when the regime is selfishly moving forward with its own rules and regulations, the people have no choice, but have to swallow that bitter pill, or die trying.

Moe Myatye, U.S.A