SCMP : Burmese Daze

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South China Morning Post
Saturday  August 1  1998
Editorial 

Burmese Daze 

Burma's military Government is increasingly edgy ahead of the 10th
anniversary of its bloody crackdown on the democracy movement on August 8.
It fears democratic and anti-government groups calling for an uprising. It
has set up roadblocks and placed armed patrols on bridges and key
intersections. Most seriously of all, however, it has prevented opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi from leaving the capital to visit provincial
supporters. It kept her short of food and water for five days when she
refused to turn back and remained in her car in protest. And finally,
inexcusably, it has used force to drag her back to the capital.

By its own previous standards, these actions might seem mild to the Burmese
junta. This has never been a democratic or decent regime. But its behaviour
is now not only objectionable, but a deliberate defiance of world opinion.
It is also rather stupid. By choosing to maltreat the country's best known
figure, perhaps the most important icon of beleaguered democracy movements
worldwide, it has brought on itself a thunderous chorus of condemnation.

Yet instead of taking the hint, Burma's leaders have chosen to blame Aung
San Suu Kyi for deliberately provoking international condemnation. It is
time they listened to the advice of their detractors, especially the
growing chorus of critics among Asean nations.

International opinion does matter, not least because of the damage Burma's
pariah status will do to the economy at a time when Asian countries cannot
make up for business withdrawn by the West.

Burma would be a healthier, wealthier and more decent place, if the
military stepped aside and allowed a civilian, democratically elected
Government to take over. The military has already proved it cannot restore
economic prosperity to a country it has misruled and impoverished since it
took power in 1962. It is time the National League for Democracy was given
the chance.