Mizzima News

Mizzima News - The latest visit to Burma of the United Nation's Secretary-General has once again brought with it newfound enthusiasm, at least unconsciously, among Burmese, even if most are not ultimately optimistic as to what may be accomplished. Surely, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Burma, who recently visited Naypyitaw to pave the way for his boss' undertaking, must have arranged something of benefit for the Secretary-General during is stay in Burma, for he cannot be seen to come away empty-handed.

However, if the Secretary-General employs the conventional approach there will be no change and any discussion with Burma's military head-of-state would be ended with the following three questions and corresponding answers. As such, diplomats dealing with leaders of a country like Burma may need to find more innovative approaches as opposed to the standard lines.

Q1. Dear Senior General, we welcome your approach of a roadmap and the holding of an election in 2010 as part of a transition to democracy. However, it is advisable to include all political stakeholders in the process.

A1. As the Tatmadaw we have already announced that all political parties, even those who did not support our democratic roadmap and our constitution, are invited to run in the election. Let me reassure you that we welcome all parties to run in the election.  

Q2. It is believed that the recent prosecution of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is an impediment to national reconciliation. National reconciliation is possible if and only if political prisoners and detainees, including Daw Aung San Su Kyi, are released. Therefore, I would like to suggest to you to reconsider the continued detention of all political prisoners.

A2. We recognize Daw Aung San Su Kyi as the daughter of the Tatmadaw's founder, but the charge against her is only a judicial matter. We repeatedly declared that the rest of the so-called political prisoner population is charged with breaking existing laws and orders. Further, thousands of suitable prisoners are occasionally released, as you may well know.

Q3. We believe that inclusive dialogue with Daw Aung San Su Kyi has to be initiated before the 2010 election in order for national reconciliation to take root. The main duty of the United Nations, especially the good offices of the Secretary-General, is to facilitate dialogue among the political stakeholders. If you let us know what you want from her, we could possibly ask her to negotiate with you.

A3. We have already delivered a statement of our demands to Daw Aung San Su Kyi. She has not yet responded. We have, thus, already let her know under what conditions we would initiate a dialogue.

Under the given conditions and current circumstances, the best way forward today for Burma is to identify the most possible solution for right now, offer it to both parties and ask the straight question: “Deal or No Deal?” It is understood that the Tatmadaw will not accept any deal if they cannot achieve a result better than what they could achieve without negotiating. And recognizing this fact, we should all accept the need for change in tactics and compromise.