GENERAL SEES SUU KYI PLOY TO GET GR

[Winston_Lee@xxxxxxx]

Subject: GENERAL SEES SUU KYI PLOY TO GET GREEN CARD (25.8.97/THE NATION)

GENERAL SEES SUU KYI PLOY TO GET GREEN CARD
25.8.97/THE NATION
RANGOON - A leading member of the Burmese military junta charged
that Burmese opposition leader and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under semi-house arrest and not
permitted to speak to reporters, is working for the interests of
the United States and is seeking a green card in order to become
an American citizen.
Brig Gen David Oliver Abel, 62, minister for National Planning
and Economic Development of the State Law and Order Restoration
Council (Slorc), made the allegations in an exclusive interview
with The Nation at the Prime Minister and Ministers' Office on
Thein Byu Road in downtown Rangoon.
The red brick, colonial-style building is where Gen Aung San,
Burma's most famous national hero and the father of Suu Kyi, was
assassinated in 1947.
"The room is locked now. We use it for prayer," said Abel, who is
of German and Shan descent and widely considered to be one of the
smartest generals in the inner circle of the Slorc's so called
"soft-liners".
There's a lot of speculation here that the Slorc and NLD will
have another round of talks to find a solution to the question of
Burmese democracy. Can you confirm that?
I cannot confirm that, but Gen Khin Nyunt had a talk with the NLD
in July. The talk was about the situation in the country and
political objectives. We called them and invited them. There are
some lights. You can see some lights. But I would not like
to elaborate further on it.
How bright are the lights?"
Well, if you have a dialogue and a talk, it's two-way. If you are
receptive, I think it's worth talking with you. But if you close
your door, that is another scenario. I think they are also quite
satisfied with the talks. They opened their door. We also talked
about another talk in the future.
How has your new membership in Asean influenced this?
You know the policy of Asean is one of non-interference in the
internal affairs of another country. Of course, in the spirit of
Asean brotherhood, in a spirit of goodwill they would like to see
peace and tranquility in this country, and political stability
and everything. But you don't interfere.
But didn't Asean call on the Slorc in Hong Kong [during the Hong
Kong handover ceremony] to have a dialogue with NLD?
It was not a call. Really! What they said in Hong Kong was sort
of "it would be a good idea if the government could have a talk
with the NLD." Still the National Convention is the best dialogue
we are having. It represents everybody. They [NLD] have their
representatives in the National Convention.
President Suharto recently agreed that South African statesman
Nelson Mandela could help mediate the problem of the
internationally-disputed East Timor. Do you think Burma needs an
international mediator?
There you are talking about [East Timorese] people.
Here we are talking about the whole country. It is different.
I think the UN Charter is quite clear. The sovereignty of a
country should not be violated. Nobody should interfere with the
sovereignty of a country. We don't meddle in anybody's affairs.
We don't like anybody to meddle in our affairs, as well. I think
that is quite clear. I think the National Convention is a very
capable body for deciding the future of our country.
People also say the Slorc is interested in learning from the
Indonesian constitution, etc. Would you briefly say in what
field, how and to what extent that your government is interested
in Indonesia?
We look at many constitutions. We studied the Indonesian
constitution. We have studied the Indonesian miracle and also the
South Korean miracle. We have also studied the miracle of the
NICs [New Industrialised Countries]. [There are] many good things
that we can learn. We can learn many good things in these
studies, especially from Indonesia, because the state of
Indonesia was created under revolution.
Before, they were under Dutch colonialism and created a free
Indonesia. We fought against the colonialists also to establish
Myanmar. These are two very similar situations. I think on that
base we can learn a lot from each other. We paid a lot and
heavily for what we have achieved, similar to Indonesia. That
freedom was fought with life and blood. With that objective and
inspiration we look at Indonesia as a model.
Burma was the first Asian country which recognised Indonesian
independence in 1946. Many Indonesian people think they owe Burma
for its independence.
Yes! We gave Indonesia a lot of support. Radio Free Indonesia was
broadcast from Myanmar. Garuda Airlines, the first aircraft, was
born in Myanmar. We still have the Garuda 001 here [at a Rangoon
museum]. We supported the revolutionary movement in Indonesia,
although we ourselves just gained our independence. We were not
well off but for the freedom of the people of Indonesia we
sacrificed on our side. I mean this in the spirit of brotherhood.
Now, what about Indonesian NGOs who say they have to help Aung
San Suu Kyi in return?
Well, we cannot tell them, "You don't have to say it." We cannot
tell them, "You don't have to feel it." But how much? How many?
Many people abroad admire Aung San Suu Kyi. But your newspaper,
the New Light on Myanmar, looks down on her and even uses abusive
words to attack her personally. Tell me what do you and your
colleagues think of her?
She might be a smart person. But I also sort of fear that her
allegiance is not to our country. Her allegiance is to another
country. She does not care anything about Myanmar. You know she
asked for sanctions. When US President Bill Clinton signed the
sanctions, she said, "This is the best thing that the President
ever did." Things like that.
When the Karen National Union had a meeting on the border they
made a declaration - and she said she supported the declaration.
That's insurgency! She [talks about] human rights and democracy,
but she doesn't know what is happening. But she's always
anti-government - I would say anti-Myanmar even.
Isn't this really because of your government's male chauvinism?
Rubbish! How can that be? I tell you she is married to a
foreigner. According to our law, she cannot be elected. You
cannot be a parliamentarian. You cannot be a head of state.
You cannot be anything since you are married to a foreigner.
Because you are a wife of a foreigner, you are a dependent of a
foreigner, so you cannot be [a head of state]. It's the same
thing in Thailand.
Let me tell you one thing. Intelligence is one thing. You can be
the most intelligent person in the world. But if you are not
patriotic then you are useless.
Based on my visit here I know that Aung San Suu Kyi is very
popular.
Very popular? People think so. But she is using her position, her
present situation, to obtain a green card from America. That's
why you read Gen Khin Nyunt's statement recently on her receiving
foreign aid. That's quite clear.
But what about the other NLD Central Executive Committee members?
The NLD is not only Aung San Suu Kyi It is a political party that
won the general election.
Without Aung San Suu Kyi what would you say the NLD would be? If
Suu Kyi only represented the NLD, and she was not here, what do
you think would happen?
I'm hot an expert on Burma. And I have no pretensions of being
one.
Okay! If she is not here, the rest of the leaders, the Central
Executive Committee, cannot make decisions on their own.
Unanimous decisions are not respected; [decisions are] always
made alone, by her. The Central Executive Committee is 10 people.
Out of 10 people, nine people can make a decision and she rejects
it. Will you say that party is a democratic party? Nine people
make decisions and they are rejected.
In what cases?
You have to find out for yourself.
//end//