The Future of Burma Cannot Be Tied to Aung San Suu Kyi

That old chestnut question "name six people you would love to have to dinner" usually holds no surprises. The guest list from many liberal, forward-thinking (and may I also point out -- male) types will include Aung San Suu Kyi. She is regarded as the epitome of elegance and sacrifice. The pinup girl for human rights causes.

And she is amazing.

This seemingly serene and fragile presence, who has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years, has mesmerized us with her martyrdom and noble sacrifice.

But what is all this sacrifice for? What has her house arrest achieved?

It has achieved for Daw Suu (or The Lady as she is known inside Burma) a sometimes self-defeating near-secular saint status. Her position as a figure head who has sacrificed so much has made any chance of sensible debate about Burma almost hopeless. The slightest hint of criticism of her actions brings howls of protest and accusations. (By writing this article I know I will be shouted down). Her selflessness and her symbolism have rendered her beyond and above public criticism among many in the pro-democracy movement and in the greater outside human rights movement.

This is self defeating. No matter how great her sacrifice, the future of one country cannot revolve around the actions and ideas of one person. What has happened to this extraordinary woman is of course criminal. But there are 48 million other Burmese people and they cannot continue to be held captive while the international community listens to, and complies with Daw Suu's policies of sanctions.

Daw Suu's strategy is fundamentally flawed. By maintaining that the regime must be isolated and that Burma must be the target of stringent sanctions only helps the junta reverse further into mad "behind-the-wall" strategies; she is penalizing the very people she aims to assist. Many pro-democracy activists (both inside and outside the country) who strongly support Daw Suu as a figurehead believe she is wrong about sanctions but such is her position, they often decline to say so publicly. And such is her status, that no one in a better and more practical position to try and negotiate Burma moving forward will take the reins from her.

The main battle cry of the National League of Democracy is the restitution of the 1990 election results, when they were overwhelmingly elected. That bird has flown. Nearly 20 years later it is time to come up with some other arguments, definitive strategies, a move towards the negotiation table. Saying "no" to every offer from the junta is simply daft. (Daw Suu's flat out refusal -- without wide consultation -- to refuse the junta's civilian parliament offer was completely mystifying. Her rejection of negotiating anything gets Burma precisely nowhere).

Everything about Daw Suu's cause is just, but some new fresh thinking must be found, some shirking off the old "absolutely no negotiation" policies.

As her sham subversion trial nears its end (in a pretense of due process, "closing arguments" will be heard on July 24) there are few who hold out hope for a not guilty decision for Daw Suu. It would be extraordinary if the junta did a volte-face and miraculously decided that she had no case to answer. We need to free Aung San Suu Kyi. But free or not, we must start talking about the other 48 million Burmese.

Comments

[remyfavre]

Ms Moncrieff,
It is wrong to say that "Saying "no" to every offer from the junta is simply daft." Aung San Suu Kyi has met the generals many times. After September 2007 she made an offer to dialogue with them. The junta is responsible for the fail of this dialogue. But you cannot blame her for that. She has always been open to dialogue even after years spent in detention.
Rémy Favre

[mamalay]

Remy,

She did offer a talk in 2007 because Than Shwe was moving to Nyi Pyi Daw which no one thought he could. When SPDC really moved to NPD, Suu Kyi was PANIC and she offered a talk for the first time in 18 years but it was too late.

Before SPDC move to NPD, ASSK rejected every opputunities including negotiation SPDC given to her. Than Shwe met her a few times before 2007 but she never talk even one word in the meeting so what can they discuss? In fact she showed sad face in the news and Than Shwe smiles, yep.

After SPDC moved to NPD, she can see Generals no more. So, U.N sent special envoy to Myanmar to negotiate beween SPDC & ASSK. Well, she even turned down U.N special envoy Gimbari again. After she refused to meet Gambari, Gambari said to diplomats in Yangon, "she will never win if you always quite." I think that statement is so true. Gambari was at her house doorstep raising his voice to ASSK to open the door for him but she sent message to him that "unless you do what i want, i have no reason to meet you."

I really concern for her thinking but I got a little courage from her for holding on to what she beliefs whether she is right or wrong.

[mamalay]

I am sad whenever i think about Myanmar history and the country leaders. They kiiled each other.
The longest period who ruled Myanmar was Ne Win. However, he die while he was house arrest. His granchilden were gangster. He was arrested mostly bcos of his grandsons. His funeral was low key. Only 5 family members were allow to attend his cremation. We can't even have a memorial cemetary for him. I say this not because I support him, I want to respect anyone who have ever ruled Myanmar despite their records.
Ne Win isolated Myanmar from the world for 30 years but Suu Kyi isolated the world from Myanmar for 20 years.
Ne Win and Suu Kyi policy are the same.
Compare with Ne Win, Suu Kyi and Than Shwe, Than Shwe open up international education to entered Myanmar. We have many intn'l educational system in Myanmar which gave us access to the world despite ASSK policy.
Anyway, I love Suu Kyii, Than Shwe and Ne Win whatever circustances they were in. They are my people. There is no accident that we came from the same land. I was frustrated bcos i have righteous anger for Myanmar because I wish the best for my people. I feel like the competation between Than Shwe and Suu Kyi caused us much delaying catching up the opputunity we get in the world. I live well, i have good family but this I am speaking for Myanmar people.

[BrunoM]

It is interesting that most comments are by Burmese. (Hillary is too busy). Your blog appeared just before Hillary Clinton talked about Burma in Thailand, but most americans are busy talking about Gates (not Bill, but the professor). If the "West" doesn't care about Burma, the Chinese will "take care" of Burma.
It's clear, the burmese problem (if there is one) cannot be solved by the burmese alone. I've heard all this talk about ethnic/racial strife etc. in Burma, but other countries have to tackle these problems too (even the US). Anyway most of the "rebel armies" in Burma get their weapons from China like the regular burmese army. The basic obstruction to "positive change and development" in Burma is corruption, inefficiency and stubbornness (with a dose of superstition) of the ruling class. It has been like that for most of Burma's history. Gen. Than Shwe is only the last in line of this kind of "burmese behavior" (perhaps George W. Bush has a bit of burmese genes) As for ASSK: I'm sure she's intelligent, honest, courageous (and not corrupt), but as for stubbornness and inefficiency? Let the future history of Burma decide (btw, I was born there)
About the dinner thing: Obama can have his beer with Gates (the prof) and the "stupid" policeman, but (being a male) I prefer having dinner with you and ASSK! Have you ever met ASSK personally?

[Monmyochit]

Hi Virginia! You are right. You know she is an evil for Union of Myanmar now. What the world should know is that she does not represent all the 50 millions of Myanmar. She does not even represent the about 20 millions of Burmese people. What about the other races, Mon, Kachin, Rakhine, Shan, ? She may represent for some of the Burmese, but not for mojority of other races. Burmese people support her because of Aung San's daughter, but not for her leadership. This case does not surely represent the 50 millions of Union of Myanmar, but just for minority of Burmese.

Thanks!

Mon Myo Chit

[kozin]

Thanks for interest in Burma. I think you should do research before writing an article. Your article sounds like base on whatever people said to you. Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) has been sacrificed not for herself. It’s for people, democracy movement, freedom, human rights. You can’t measure within a certain period. You accused her strategy is flaw but you can’t give readers any reason why you accused her. And also you wrote that ASSK and NLD party reject negotiation offer by the junta. That’s simply showing you didn’t read about NLD’s policy. They’ve been asking for negotiation but the junta’s been accusing them as country destroyers. Western companies don’t do business with Burma not because of ASSK’s words. They don’t do business if they don’t see any profit. There’s no law, tax system, transparency, energy, transportation, etc. That’s not a good ground to do business. NLD must firmly hold the ’90 election result not because of they are power hungry. That’s the people win over 26 years Ne Win dictatorship. Today in Burma, the problems are caused by Than Shwe not by ASSK or NLD or democracy movement. Wait and see people’s power. We must win!

[mamalay]

kozin,

you dont have to repeat NLD policy which is not helping 50 millions myanmar people. You should read her article carefully. If you dont undrstand her articel, dont post command here. Virginia is not accused ASSkK. You are the one accused Virginia.

[kozin]

Hi Mamalay

I’m not saying who’s the best. NLD’s won the election and we need to know their policy. If they r in power, if people doesn’t like their policy, opposition party, journalists can criticize. U can’t point out SPDC’s policy and the worst thing is nobody knows what’s their plan, policy. Nobody’s perfect. People learn from their past, history. The government should give people their rights to choose what they want, need.

Thx

[BrunoM]

The more the "West" isolates Burma the more it becomes a Chinese colony. The Chinese economy needs natural resources. They are building a gas pipeline across Burma and port facilities on the West coast of Burma. (Maung Aye, the 2nd in command, just came back from China). The Chinese have a strategic military interest in controlling access to the Bay of Bengal. To achieve these goals they use their veto power in the UN security council and supply most of the weapons that the Burmese military needs. Without the support of China, the military junta could never have survived this long. It is also obvious, to anyone who would do some simple research, that Singapore (where the Burmese Generals have their bank accounts) and both Koreas are heavily involved in doing "business" with the junta (to be fair one should also add Thailand, India and Russia). A Nobel peace prize and songs or T-shirts by U2 for Aung San Suu Kyi are just purely symbolic gestures that the West indulge in, to ease their own bad conscience. The US doesn't dare to "annoy" China too much (because of T-bills etc.). Money and Guns (known as G2 !) still rule the world under the thin veneer of democracy, freedom, human rights, etc. I am pessimistic about the future of democracy in Burma.

[fire-stone]

The West did not isolate Burma. Than Shwe's regime isolate Burma because they cannot fulfill the request of the United Nations to free ASSK - the frail 64 year old woman whom they're so afraid of. ASSK represents majority of Burmese citizens including those on the mountains and the jungle.

Burmese govt preferred Chinese than the West. Most of the businesses are owned by Chinese, especially in major cities. Even if the West offers to do business, who do you think Than Shwe's regime prefer to do business with?

Burmese are taught to hate the West and it's ideals. The regime did everything they can to block information from the outside world.

[moezaw]

hi madam,

are you been in myanmar/burmar before? now i reply your article was using proxy software and using without knowledge of junta people .if they know about this i will be jail for at least 5 years term . did you known that ? i was reply you from internet cafe .i got no cellphone, no computer ,no fix line phone, no car, without electricity in 12 hours daily .can you imagine in your life was staying like that in 20 years? did you still accept that kind of government ? if junta can change 50 million of Burmese people life ! i will support strongly to junta. but now was 20 years already who do i believe for our future? 50 million of people got 1 hope for this moment that is DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND NLD PARTY in my dream. if they can't do for us in their term burmese people will still going to look for another government . for now junta should step down aside and must gave to another people to lead to country .
this is the price list what i don't had.
cell phone with postpaid = 1800 $
fix line phone =3000 $
car 1985 model = 150000 $
* all price list in usd*

i will read your article in english again .
now i post comment was according to government news paper.
if anything wrong with my english
sorry about that.
thanks,
sai

[KoThid]

read original and not the myanmar version and then comment.

[mamalay]

moe zaw,

if international door is open, car price and phone and any latest technology market price will be lower than the current price.

Who is blocking that door from you access? It is your old mother ASSK.

[moezaw]

hi mamalay,

first of all i would like to thanks you for
your reply on my comment .
according to your reply was

**************if international door is open, car price and phone and any latest technology market price will be lower than the current price.

WHO BLOCK INTERNATIONAL DOOR ! THERE GOT ANSWER FOR YOU.

WHO WAS HOLDING THE CAR PERMIT?
WHO WAS SOLD THE GSM CELLPHONE SIMCARD?
WHO IS BLOCK THE INTERNET ?

********Who is blocking that door from you access? It is your old mother ASSK.******

YOU HAD TO READ AGAIN MY COMMENT .

THANKS

[mamalay]

Moe Zaw,

Thats the reason I am saying. You have been lock up from the world the past 20 years.
-Car price is high not bcos of car permit. It is bcos Japan or any car companies will not sale their car to Myanmar. They have to obey international saction law.
-GSM phonecard are expensive bcos we dont have enought technoligy to support the demand. In order to get cheaper GSM, we need to import more technology which is still block by your mom. We are trying to overcome it for you. Do you know who started GSM?
-If Myanmar block you from using internet, how can we write a blog like this. Think about it.

Dont be so ignorant.

[Kelsey Springer]

Unfortunately, according to Mizzima, this article was reprinted as junta propaganda against Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/2500-junta-should-respond-positively-to-clinton-message-.html
Specific quote:
"Yesterday's issue of the state-run newspaper reproduced an article entitled ‘The Future of Burma cannot be tied to Aung San Suu Kyi’, which originally appeared in The Huffington Post.

In the article, the author argues Daw Aung San Suu Kyi breached the law and refuses to budge from her dogmatic attitude of isolating Burma and imposing severe sanctions against the impoverished country."

[KoThid]

many people scream about article and they not read it. people get educated and aloow all opinions please. Miss Virginian is not saying she is bad for us.

[Kelsey Springer]

I am confused by your comment to me. I wasn't disagreeing or agreeing with the article-I was attempting to inform the public about the heavy editing and reprinting of this article in a pro-junta Burmese newspaper.

[mamalay]

Virginia,

your article speak for me. keep doing what is right and true. Dont be fear by the evil one.
I love ASSK but not her leadership and her policy.

[Paul Mandalay]

Dear Virginia and Ma ma lay,
wondering if you can imagine your life being imprison for a year I mean ONE year not 13 years of sacrificing. Can you forgive the people who ambushed and try to kill you and killed hundred of your fellows. Can you still talking about national reconciliation while you are in prison facing unfair trial. These are very a few things that I can think of among other thousands facts. Wow... who can do that? Can you?

I would like to invite Virginia to come and SEE Myanmar as a real journalist NOT as a honorable guest of the Myanmar government. Please SEE our hunger, tears, FEEL our angers, bloods. And ask REAL people of Myanmar ( Sorry.. not Mamalay ) who their HOPE is who their future is who their soul leader is.

IF........... IF 48 millions of Myanmar people are all wrong, then you are right about what you said in your article.

Thank you so much for interest in our motherland. I hope this short note will finds you a better way of you looking at things.

Once again..
Thank you

[mamalay]

Paul Mandalay,

Around 1990, ASSK situation was not like this. She had freedom to campaign her polotics career. She was the only one making herself sent to the arrest. She wanted to portrayed herself as Mandela. But her sacrifice is useless. It is just for her fame. She should have focus on what was the best for the people instead of showing her pride to the military and ashame Myanmar in the world. She even said, "My Father started this military" so why she did not repect what her father started or trained military. "Mihbah Myat hna ko Oo mey tuk deh Thami" Her pride was too high.

I am speaking out like this because I traveled to all over Myanmar. I felt so painful for the people. I wanted Suu Kyi to feel what the poor are feeling instead of keeping her pride. I was born and grow up in Myanmar. ASSK grew up in U.K and married to British Spy MI5. All her political games in Myanmar is design and plan by British who kill Bo Chuk Aung San.

You have been blinded from the truth.

[khai]

The 57 million people are either starving or luxuriously living a happy life. They have got no time for politics. They dont even know what is going on. Aung San Suu Kyi is the only one who is keeping the spirit high...who really cares about it. If you say her strategy is flawed then , whose strategy are we to rely on?

[mamalay]

Khai,

Yes, sometimes it is good to hear about Suu Kyi political Children Game Stories. It helps us relief from our burden. Atleast we can laugh in the evening tea time.

It is good to watch Suu Kyi and Than Shwe playing games. They both dont care about us. They just care for their power and pride.

[skyborn]

Okay, I'm seeing all the people attacking Suu Kyi here will change their tone again if she is in power. LOL, that's why Burma is in trouble and poor forever.. No wonder !!!

[mamalay]

skyborn,
Its been too long suffering under ASSK policy. Its time to speak out.

Yes, according to Myanmar history, Myanmar Kings have been assasinated by their own family. I dont know when this is going to stop. It seems like a curse on the country. Suu Kyi brother did not agree with her way of leadership. The brothers asked her to leave from the house she is living now (her father's house). She did not leave the home. So the brothers sued her in court.

We thought she will rescue us from the situation but she is making us worse. Anyway, she is human being. She can make mistake. She just need to admit her mistake if she is a good leader.

[Paul Mandalay]

Wow.. mamalay.. you really keep me busy..

Do you really know the inheritance law in Myanmar? let me explain you a little bit about this! FOREIGNERS can not own any properties in Myanmar... period! Let me know if you still don't understand.
U aung san oo and His wife Aunty laet are the naturalized citizens of the United States and currently living in San Diego, CA.

So.. now you know who make mistakes...

[mamalay]

My point was her brother sue her. Aung San Oo is in Yangon, living just a few block away from where Suu Kyi is. They dont get along.

[mamalay]

Paul,

As you said about Myanmar law of inheritant. Aung San Oo lost the case becaue he is american citizen. In this case, after ASSK, there will be no one to inherit their home because ASSK's two children are British. So she is the last one to have the house. now she is over 60 years old. After she die, the house may go public auction. I wish that this military will do something for Aung San Oo to have the house. Atleast Aung San Oo's wife is Myanmar so the house will belong to the Myanmar family. I really wish Military will grant half of the property to Aung San Oo for the sake of Bo Chuk Aung San. I will be amazed if Military give appotunity to ASO.

[Hnin]

Hi Dear,
Why did you write like this? How many take time to write this article. All Burmese strongly believe that Aung Sun Su Kyi is our leader and only she give us our hopes, our strange and best create of our future.
She loves us and we love her and trust her.

[mamalay]

Hnin,

You cannot speak behalf of ALL Burmese because I dont have the same view as you.

She won the election in 1990 because she is a daughter of Bo Chuk Aung San, not because of her leadership skills. After 20 years, seeing her leadership, I am glad she is not in power. She may be worse than Than Shwe.

God knows the best leader for the country. Without God's annointing, no one can be on the throne. Suu Kyi tried hard to be on the throne but she wasted 20 years because she never meant to be the leader of Myanmar.

[maymyochit]

I don't care who the leader of the country is.But he or she must have a good leadership skill. We will accept the leader who is elected legally by people. May be the political parties have different intentions.If they really want for the sake of the country it's ok.But I would like to know why military regimes are afraid of her. Why they didn't let her release? Why are the regimes trying and arresting her party members for nothing? She doesn't have gun.She is not huge. She doesn't tell us to love her, to follow her.It is us who love her and follow her on our own. Why did the juntas try to assicinate her near DIPEYIN? My relatives live there.We have eyes and ears.We have brain.It's better to stop writing this kind of article.It won't work. I don't trust you and your fake comments.

[maymyochit]

Thanks for your article.What I got from your article is you don't know about our country and wrote it for your sake.We,Burmese, don't want military regime at all. never ever.I would like to suggest you to watch BurmaVJ online. I am pure burmese and love my country very much. General Aung San and martyrs sacrified their lives for the sake of our country not for the sake of themselves. Do you think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is pretending to be modest and noble ? NOT AT ALL.She is still leading us what she belives in like her father. I don't know much about politics but what i know is we, burmese, don't want these juntas except their followers.We don't mind sanctions.Because the regimes use the incomes and taxes only for army .They use just small amount for education and health etc. So if you trade with them, you support them and kill our people directly or indirectly. Finally I suggest you to learn about our country and hope next article will be better than this.. Thank you.

[mamalay]

maymyochit,

how luxury being living in another country? You will not speak like this tone if you are living in Myanmar.

"the regimes use incomes and taxes for army?" do you know we Myanmar citizens dont pay tax in Myanmar.

P

[fire-stone]

They don't take taxes, but they take bribes. Every level of social class is corrupted in Burma now more than ever. The only rich ones are the military govt and it's affiliates. Who needs taxes when you have access to all the money that belongs to the Burmese people!

[KoGyiThar]

"I also feel, with deep regret, that she and the NLD have wasted many opportunities to make steps forward."

Why do you think ASSK and NLD wasted many opportunities? Can you please tell me and the readers more details about those opportunities if you knew. ( I hope that you will answer my question)

Lets the world see and hear!!

[Maung Moe]

Part 2.

Many would wonder why has Aung San Su Kyi denied such opportunity to negotiate with the junta when civilian parliamanet was presented. Indeed, there was no opportunity. Daw Suu is trapped under the tight grip of the military and she has nothing to choose. She was offered to choose between "A" or "a". But dear Virginian, you thought "a" is not "A" and slammed Daw Suu for knowing the little difference between them. Yes, her "partial" sanction policy maybe outdated and not working, she is still continuing her fight using her own non violent ways.

Moreover and most importantly, current sanctions on Myanmar were not the result of Daw Suu's policy. Junta has imposed their own sanctions upon the country by using force labour, human right violations and their fear of losing power.

See Nargis disaster for example. The Junta has not accepted any help from western world and shut down the help channels towards the victims. This is the latest and most obvious example of Sanction imposed by Junta upon citizens of Myanmar. You can't actually blame Daw Suu or NLD on this, can you?

As a citizen of Myanmar and one of those 56 million Myanmars, I whole heartedly support Daw Suu in the plight of the country. Some of us know more about junta than you would normally think we would...

Thank you and regards...