Sanctions will remain in place, although the West, particularly the US, will find more creative ways to penetrate Burma and the new regime. The clandestine military relationship between Burma and North Korea will continue to draw the attention of the West and neighboring governments.
Of course, there is no lack of wishful thinkers and spin-doctors, saying things they don’t believe in for the sake of maintaining the status quo for their donors or just to undermine Suu Kyi and the democracy movement.
Indeed, some naively believe there will be a new landscape after the election. Any new landscape, however, will be just a facade—even Snr-Gen Than Shwe's change from military uniform to civilian suit won't disguise his true clown's costume.
Than Shwe and his team should not be underestimated, however. They have a raft of “Plan Bs” in order to hold on to power at all cost. They don't care how many more activists die in prison or in ethnic conflicts. They are unmoved by the plight of refugees and internally displaced people.
Than Shwe and his road map may deceive sections of the foreign community and some regional leaders suffering from “Burma fatigue.” But the people of Burma are not deceived—they've had enough of the hell that is Burma today and they want change.
Moe Aung: "Until we gain freedom, fairness, justice, opportunities and progress for all the myriad races of Burma, our fight will continue, with or without the NLD, 'Burma fatigue' or no. UNITE and PREPARE!"
Absolutely!
The NLD never said that gaining "freedom, fairness, justice, opportunities and progress for all the myriad races of Burma" would be easy.
Daw Suu clearly outlined the necessary peaceful steps which Burmese citizens could take to gain their freedom, and no one ever said that nonviolent protest would be without a cost in lives.
So, what are your lives worth,& what price are you refusing to pay for your children & their children to someday be free?
In comparison to the massive spending to persecute & enslave the ethnic minorities, in the urban population centers, since 1988 it has cost the regime very little to deny you your freedom, likely several cases of tear gas shells, and a few dozen cases of rifle ammunition.
The SPDC thanks you for your cooperation.
Moe Aung Wrote:
09/05/2010
No, it's far from over. Thailand does not have the diversity anywhere near like Burma, but there is a yawning chasm of urban-rural divide. It's the political awakening of poor country folk that got the protest genie out of the bottle, and there's no going back to the cosy Bangkok-centric mystical monarchic state.
Than Shwe might think '555 cigarettes and Black Label whiskey' galore would pacify the minorities. Perhaps it works for some of the leaders that can be bought.
The fighting slogan of the Bolsheviks 'peace, land and bread' is closer to their hearts. Freedom, fairness and autonomy in their lands are the only basis to achieve lasting peace.
Until we gain freedom, fairness, justice, opportunities and progress for all the myriad races of Burma, our fight will continue, with or without the NLD, 'Burma fatigue' or no. UNITE and PREPARE!
John Wrote:
08/05/2010
majority and ethnic is same in the eyes of snr gen than shwe, but the more he fear majority,that is way he never curse on bama, because they(majority) have more power to harm him(than shwe).
Free Man Wrote:
08/05/2010
"Without a solution of ethnic issues, there can be no political transition in Burma."
Ditto! I have hope, as a citizen of Burma, for a harmonious and prosperous Burma whenever reading news/articles/books with insight to this issue. It is a certainty that the more people of Burma with this insight we have, the quicker the problems of Burma will be resolved.
tocharian Wrote:
08/05/2010
Despotic regimes (in Burma, China, Nazi Germany, North Korea etc.) like to rewrite history. The history of Burma is rather complex and I am not sure that the younger generation (those that are born after 1962) really have a good understanding of some of the finer details. Whatever happens/happened in Burma, The Irrawaddy would do a great service by helping younger Burmese understand the rather complex political history of Burma over the last 200 years. I don't think Thant-Myint-U's books are a good reference (the guy, who doesn't seem to speak Burmese very well doesn't even understand the word Mrauk-U. He translated it as "monkey's eggs"! that's like translating his name like "iron horse egg"
George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:
08/05/2010
Certainly NOT YET lest ye all fail to note. !
The game has not even started yet least to say.
Players like Thu Wai, Than Nyein, and Ye Htun amongst others are just taking their places waiting for Thein Sein (Than Shwe's dealer) to start the game though the monk murderer has not specified the date much less brought his deck (cards) yet.
Hence, these guys deserved no less a dubbing than as SUCKERS and LOSERS for sitting at Than Shwe's table not to mention playing with his deck of cards already marked and made to measure and ensured to WIN no less.
On the other hand DESIRE only on the part of the people and others would not simply BRING anything much less CHANGE - FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY - in their country.
And only ADMIRING Daw Suu for her integrity, character, charisma and courage etc. etc. would not FREE them from military SLAVERY either.
Only daring and dexterity coupled with diligence and decisiveness no less would DELIVER them for military tyranny and certainly as well no doubt.
A.M.O Wrote:
07/05/2010
No, we are addressing the wrong issue here.
In Burma's politics, since '62 Coup by Gen Ne Win to present Gen Than Shwe),people are really fed up of army generals' rule for almost half a century or so; the way the baton had been passed on from one army general to another like nobody's business. First & foremost, who give you the right to do this? Because you got the gun [gun also bought by taxpayer's(public) money]& with this gun you harass the people you are suppose to protect; and the aspirations of Burmese people to live in peace & freedom was shattered. Naturally, people look for help & given the mandate to NLD in '90 election; and again people's hopes are shattered in'2010'.
Now, the issue is, the people of Burma shall have to find a new political paradigm where they can find a political space to free themselves from military dictatorship.
In this pursuit by the people of Burma, NLD could play a role & if NLD has vision, imagination & bravery; NLD could even exploit this.
Sit Naing Wrote:
07/05/2010
While NLD was a legal party, they cannot function as political party. So whether NLD is legal party or dissolved, there will be no difference. What Burmese people want is freedom, basic human right, fairness, equality, good government, ethnic right. As long as their requirements are not fulfill, resistance will be alive and problems will be existed. Burma is like CANCER patient. Just giving PANADOL may relieve pain for awhile, but CANCER will never be cured. Serious treatment is required to cure the CANCER. Good luck BURMA.
Kyaik-ka-san Wrote:
07/05/2010
Political landscape in Burma changed drastically in recent months. Before, the magnitude of the changing would take years. Let’s see the changes and the results that brought about.
Opposition Camps – led by NLD achieved their political momentum at given environment by deploying correct strategy. Overall changes brought the Camps more united, with clear goal and able to shake up the regime effectively.
SPDC – Using rape as tool, intimidation, killing and torturing received “step-down” award. Now, fear to go to ICC it has to switch over using different immoral practices, including the jungle law. Note that SPDC has no legal or fair tools to be applied.
What is the consequence? The entire OC boycotted the pool, key ceased-fire groups against BGF, China and Asean demanded for not behaving like a crime, generals are not permissible to Kyat-pyay [Naypyidaw]freely, some generals took off trousers for show, bombs here and there for diversion pressure, waiting for war crime, and many more from West.
Kerry Wrote:
07/05/2010
The people of Burma voted years ago.
The rest is brutality, absurdity and violence, and the shame of the world.
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