Burma: The Beggar Country

One of Burma’s most controversial political figures, retired Brig-Gen Aung Gyi spoke out against Burma’s military rulers, and called Burma "leaderless" in an interview yesterday. Brig-Gen Aung Gyi was the number two in the ruling Revolutionary Council that emerged from Gen Ne Win’s coup in 1962, but was ousted the following year after pushing for an open-market economy.

In the following decades, he spent two stints in prison and remained an outspoken critic of Gen Ne Win. He gained further notoriety when he wrote open letters to the dictator, calling for reform.

Aung Gyi was involved in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and founded the National League for Democracy with Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo. He left the party soon after it was registered, accusing Suu Kyi and others of being surrounded by "communists". He then set up his own party but it failed to win any seats in the 1990 elections.

From his home in Rangoon, Aung Gyi spoke to Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw about recent political events in Burma.

QUESTION: What is your view on Khin Nyunt’s appointment as prime minister?

ANSWER: Those who are currently responsible for the country, those who are currently in charge should know better than me. But it is unlikely that we see eye to eye. As far as the political situation of the whole country is concerned, it looks as if [the country] is leaderless. The country has yet to embark on the road to democracy. With great certainty, I said a long time ago that the new generation should learn from the wrongs of Gen Ne Win. They need to discard the military dictatorship and embark on the road to democracy—I said that a long time ago. Without forsaking the military dictatorship, we can never walk on the road to democracy. That is the formula.

In order to return political freedom in the country, it will have to enjoy freedoms of speech, expression, assembly and organization. Only then will Burma become a nation on par with countries with [high] standards. A military dictatorship is a horrific system for mankind; everyone has to be afraid of each other and … people in high military positions.

Therefore, if I have to say what I want to say, I will be jailed straight away. So don’t let me tell you my opinion [of the current situation]. All I want to say is: get on the path to democracy as quickly as possible. Only when we enjoy democracy, will the country actually prosper.

Moreover, we have tried out the single party system in time of war. As a result, the military dictatorship has ruled the country for decades. U Ne Win was responsible. So what happened to the country? It became a beggar country. Is that not correct? Burma has become a country no better than a diseased stray dog.

The whole world was envious when Burma enjoyed full democracy after her independence. Now we are a beggar country and looking up to Yodaya [Thailand]. We cannot catch up with Yodaya, even if we try to catch up with it by plane. Yodaya is way more prosperous than us. A long time ago, Yodaya could sell only one ton of rice while we were selling two tons. Now Yodaya is ruled by a government with the king as head of the state, the Thais should be thankful to their King.

Q: Some see this reshuffle as a positive development and predict that it will bring change. Can you share your perspective?

A: The change will certainly come. It has already begun. We will have to wait and see whether it is good or bad. We will have to watch it on the screen. That is all.

Q: What do you think of Suu Kyi’s detention?

A: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be released when the time comes. But she has the problem of nationality no matter what happens. She cannot contest in the election. The constitution cannot allow her to do so. So no matter how much she tries, no matter how clever she is, I think that luck is not on her side.

Q: The US has recently imposed economic sanctions. How will the junta overcome this problem?

A: As far as the economy is concerned, it is all about exporting rice. If we have mountains of rice and if the international price of the rice is good, the price of Burma’s rice will rise to the top. Without the export of rice, no matter how many precious stones we can find, that will be useless. If we can sell more rice, I think our economy will be better.

In the 21st century, everybody talks about politics being about economics. [The Burmese government] has campaigned for a two or threefold increase in the annual production of rice. But, it just remains a slogan. Burma has even fallen to the bottom of the list of rice exporting countries—as a dog would. History has made Burma a country which sells rice that should not be consumed by humans.