Only A Positive Program Can Provide A Solution

by Nem Davies

Thursday, 13 March 2008 00:00

Dr. Nay Win Maung, the 45-year old publisher of The Voice Journal and CEO and Policy Director of the monthly Living Color magazine, recently distributed a 6-point proposal among his friends, colleagues and politicians via the Internet. The missive analyzed the current tension between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the military regime and prospered ideas as to how the climate for dialogue may be improved. The paper was subsequently leaked to the press. He encourages the NLD to support the regime's constitution and to contest any election, but he also proposes that they contest only half of the total seats; instead bidding opposition and NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi to concentrate on consolidating and strengthening her party with an eye to again compete in elections in some five years time. Q: Can you elaborate on the six suggestions of your email? A: I wrote a lot, but in brief I suggested first showing magnanimity, by all who can, with a focus only on resolving the crisis. In this way, if the roadmap is an important matter, I suggest to endorse it. Frankly, I thought about it from the position of Daw Suu [Aung San Suu Kyi], and asked what shall I do? And I decided I shall follow the road-map first. This is the crucial issue for the military government and I should therefore follow it to lessen tensions and ultimately resolve the current crisis. The second point is the importance of good relations. If I were in their [NLD] shoes, I would say I will contest only half of the total seats. This will show I'm not seeking political power through any indecent means and further prove I'm not hostile to the regime. Daw Suu should indicate very early that she is not seeking any political power by contesting only 165 of the 330 seats. If it were me, I would just want to serve in the rebuilding of the country in any way I can. But I would tell the government that they have to release all political prisoners to build unity toward a prosperous and happy country. She should decide to stand resolutely as a strong opposition figure. Q: What inspired you to make put forth these six points? A: Basically I'm a political animal. I'm familiar with it. I wish for this circle of hostility and hatred between the two sides to cease. This is the main point. I know well how the people are suffering. I'm a part of the suffering too. I firmly believe that only a positive attitude and a magnanimous program can provide a solution to the current crisis. Q: What responses did you receive to your ideas? Do you think your suggestions will be accepted? A: I've got no feedback yet. I don't think they will be accepted by the people. The current political stalemate is due to the emotions of both sides. If they were not working based on emotion, and if they did not think only of win-lose solutions, this stalemate would have been solved a long time ago. But this is not a matter of win-lose, this is a matter of the daily life of the entire people irrespective of whoever wins, either the military government or Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The crisis will prolong as long as we think of win-lose solutions. Q: Did you give this suggestion to the government too? A: Leave it here. Q: How should your suggestions be implemented in Burma today? A: It's very simple. Those who can show magnanimity should first take the bold step of showing their magnanimity. Then the situation will become what it should be. Our way of thinking shouldn't be 'If you are good, I will not be bad.' This creates a problem. In our Buddhist teachings too, we must give genuine positive input to get a positive result. If we give negative input, we can only get a negative result. Q: How do you see the forthcoming constitutional referendum? Can it be free and fair? A: According to the referendum law enacted and announced by the government, it will be a free and fair referendum. There will be only one question, YES or NO. If the question will encourage the people to express their desire freely and bravely, it must be said fair. Q: Please tell me about the 'Third Force'. A: There is no 'Third Force'. We are just sharing information among friends. There is no such organization. If there was an organization, we wouldn't hide it from the people and there must be a certain political objective. I have no political objective even if I am a political animal. And also I don't want to be in partisan politics and power politics. And I won't run for election. Q: Have you got involved in political movements before? A: I've been in the politics of being a citizen for my entire life. Everything I write in Living Color is about politics, but it is not about political power. I've been engaged in this sort of politics since I was a student. < Prev   Next >