Wednesday, May 08, 2002
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By Amit Baruah
More questions have, in fact, been raised than answered by the junta's decision to release Ms. Suu Kyi and allow her to take part in political activities. And given the state of political play in the country, answers are unlikely to be provided in a hurry. Analysts would like Ms. Suu Kyi to test the waters before deciding whether her freedom is unconditional or not. Ms. Suu Kyi is aware that her release has come through a dialogue process and as such she would not like to jeopardise the talks unless circumstances demanded otherwise. At her press conference in Yangon yesterday, the NLD leader said she hoped the dialogue would move on to more substantive issues. At some stage, the ethnic issue will have to be addressed — there are many ethnic groups that need to be included in the dialogue process. According to the Hong Kong-based Asian Wall Street Journal, it remains to be seen whether the NLD leader's freedom will be the first step on the road that sees Myanmar rejoining the community of law-abiding nations. "Whether the generals are interested in more than spin is still unclear. They did release a handful of democracy activists in February, which could signal that the end of Ms. Suu Kyi's house arrest is part of an emancipation trend. But the goal isn't simply more walking room for Ms. Suu Kyi; it is that all Burmese will soon have the freedom to stroll to the voting booth," the newspaper said. Singapore's Straits Times reserved judgment on whether the release marked the start of a "new page" for Myanmar and the international community. "Like it or not, she should seek common ground with the ruling troika of Generals Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt. The junta will have to accede to the people's wishes for an acceptable comity at some stage. This can be determined in a democratic election, or the NLD and the generals could work out a system of power sharing. Whatever the final stage of accommodation, it is preferable that she (Ms. Suu Kyi) and the NLD work within the system, through a series of inclusive steps, rather than regard the officers as enemies of the people," the newspaper wrote in an editorial. The Bangkok Post was harsh in its criticism of the military regime. "The military dictators of Burma have done the right thing in freeing Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, but deserve no credit. Mrs. Suu Kyi broke no law, had no charges against her and incited no violence." The Post said the 1991 Nobel laureate faced a regime that had changed subtly, but not in form or substance. The generals, it said, rarely spoke about politics, but appeared to believe they had become stronger. "The junta must allow her total freedom of speech, of public gatherings, of the press. If they do, and if they bargain a deal to share and then to give up power, the generals will earn some respect...."
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