Mizzima: Which way Burma Army will

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Which way Burma Army will take?

(B. K. Sen, an advocate working for Burma Lawyers' Council analyses the
evolution of the Army in the history of Burma and what role it plays in
today's context.)

By B.K Sen
New Delhi, March 26, 2000

Burma during World War II was under Japanese military occupation. The
Kempatai (dreaded Japanese Secret Police) kept the people under constant
fear and tyranny. Nonetheless the patriots secretly formed the Anti
Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) ? an alliance of different
political parties to overthrow the regime and win freedom. On 27th March
1945 the Burma Independence Army then under Japanese command revolted
and coordinated with AFPFL in resistance against the Japanese. The
resistance became armed struggle under General Aung San. The Allied
forces fighting the Japanese coordinated their operations with the
patriotic forces. The Japanese were routed. 27th March has become a
landmark day in the history of Burma. Ever since it is being observed
year to year as Resistance Day.

However, the military has re-designated it as Armed Forces Day. The
object was to project the faded image of the Army as the sole liberator,
to devalue people's role and destroy the concept of resistance to
oppression.

The observation of this day of 27th March this year of the new
millennium will be totally in a different context. It is well known that
context is the very core of any theme. The context to-day is that the
country is under military rule (though not Japanese!) and that for over
37 years (not 3 years which was Japanese) and the suffering of the
people has reached its limit with reign of terror (same as Japanese
time). No doubt there are material differences between the two regime
but the fundamental factor is same ? the brutal suppression of freedom.
The Japanese suppression gave birth to AFPFL, which became instrumental
to regain freedom. The junta's suppression has given birth to National
League for Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
and National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) which have become
instruments of resistance against military dictatorship to regain
democracy which the people had lost.

The only question in to-day's context is how to end Junta rule and
establish Rule of Law: whether by armed struggle or by peaceful
resistance. There are two players in the struggle for political power ?
The Army and the people. In the situation of 1945 both combined and had
no option but to go in for armed struggle as part of world anti-fascist
movement against dictators. In today's situation the two players are
locked against one another. The aggrieved party, people have chosen the
path of peaceful struggle. The 1990 Election witnessed a vote against
Army rule and a massive mandate for democracy. In this context, the
message of 27th March for the people is to continue the peaceful
struggle relentlessly, close their ranks and forge understanding with
the saner elements of the Army so that the political process is put back
on track.

The pro-democracy movement of Burma has become part of the worldwide
democracy movement in the same way 27th March 1945 resistance had been
part of worldwide anti-fascist movement. The two forces likewise will
end the military rule in Burma and effect restoration of democracy.

The message of 27th March for the Army is to restore its glory and play
pro-people role. The old thinking mould that political issues can be
settled militarily has to be given up. Saner elements have to nudge the
generals to honour the pledge given to the people ? to restore
multiparty democracy; power back to the people from whom they have
seized. Otherwise, for tactical gains the generals will be committing
strategic blunder.

If 27th March has been made as Armed Forces Day, time has come for the
Army to establish its credentials in the way the way they did after 27th
March 1945. Notwithstanding the paramount role of the Army in resistance
against Japanese, power was left to the people. That was General Aung
San's way. That was reversed by General Ne Win. The choice before the
Army is clear ? which way? If the two forces, people and Army can join
hands, Burma will fast change into a land of peace, harmony and plenty.

(Contributed this article to Mizzima News Group).