Response to Dr Win Naing

[sayagyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

This is my response to (Pyi-daw-byan) Dr Win Naing 

DWN: While in Myanmar, (during my first, second, third and so on return to
Myanmar), I was given the opportunity to travel to all parts of my country ?

TS: Who gave that opportunity to travel? Does that mean that all citizens
are not given the opportunity to travel around Burma? Why?

DWN: The general attitude of the Myanmar people is such that Myanmar that
they willingly recognize as the Government, whosoever should govern the
country (that is, whoever is in power) ... This is a view subscribed to by
most Myanmar citizens especially in the rural areas.

TS: If so, will the citizen of Burma accept the foreigners to govern the
country? I don't think so. Don't underestimate the rural people.

DWN: What the Myanmar people desire most is to live their daily lives and
earn their livelihood in peace more so than to talk about human rights and
democracy. 

TS: Can living their daily lives and earn their livelihood in peace be
possible  without human rights or democracy? Why SPDC has agreed to train
human rights to soldiers and police? You should realize that the one who
talks about human rights and democracy will be arrested, tortured,
imprisoned. Burmese people's perception of peace means not merely absence
of war. Their peacefulness is for both physical and spiritual freedom. Can
gun-point rule give such peace to the people?

DWN: So what the ordinary citizen desires most is to prevent  another
outbreak of political violence and unrest in  the country, especially
anarchic conditions as in 1988.

TS: Nobody wants violence and unrest in the country. The true cause of 1998
uprising was failure of BSPP to govern the country. In 1988, who turned the
peaceful demonstration into violence by releasing criminals and using
intelligence guys?

DWN: The position of the Myanmar Government is that the Myanmar people
themselves should solve their internal problems with mutual understanding,
confidence and respect for one another.

TS: But who are insulting others from the newspapers, radio and TV every
day? Who organized public rallies to shamelessly denounce NLD. The
democratic opposition leaders do respect the army and the people. 

DWN: Provided the NLD will relax its present rigid stand and be more
flexible, the present Myanmar Government is fully ready and willing to work
together with the NLD for the good of the country.

TS: What NLD is doing is it's legitimate demands which reflect the people's
desire. NLD seriously wants not only for the good of the country but also
for the good of the power holders. That means to develop the economy of
country, to educate the children, to solve the political problems and the
army to regain the reputation and respect.

DWN: Then, I would like to quote what a high-ranking Myanmar official said
to me to clarify the situation for the benefit of the international
community. " I'm not asking for approval of our Government. But don't
destroy our country solely because of dislike for our Government. Approval
and disapproval of the
government and love of country and the people are two entirely separate
issues. This is a distinction that must be clearly made."

TS: The international community and absolute majority the people including
the rank and file of the army dislike the regime. I do know that no one is
destroying the country. The international community has been finding ways
and means to encourage democratic changes in Burma. Some adopt constructive
engagement. Some like flexible engagement. Some practice carrot and stick
policy. Some favor sanctions. Some recommend three-party dialogue. Some
whisper to talk to NLD.

DWN: So my fervent wish at present, is to share in this responsibility in
the spirit of at least "carrying a single brick or even a single grain of
sand" in building up my Motherland, Myanmar, into a prosperous and
developed nation. I would further like to declare and reaffirm to all here
and now, that I shall, to the best of my ability, resolutely do my duty for
the future welfare of my country.

TS: Oh! the people of Burma have been carried stockpile of brick and tons
of sand without any fees. Their land and houses have been confiscated
without compensation. What you are doing now is entirely advocating for
illegitimate and disliked military junta, nothing good for the people. 

DWN: To all those in and outside of Japan who are interested in Myanmar
affairs, all I wish to say now is "Go to Myanmar at least once to see for
yourself." 

TS: I don't think for those who are alike Dr Win Naing, by a single visit
to Burma will not realize the true picture of the country. Even one year
experience, he can not see the truth: people are badly poor, students
without higher education, thousand of political prisoners in prisons, drug
and AISD spreading and etc. 

If you see a road, can you do a research how many and how long the poor
people have contributed forced labor? Can you study how many percent of
people are not having a square meal? Can you learn how the government
employees have to manage to survive? Can you visit and examine the ethnic
people's life under this regime? 

DWN: Only then will you understand better how to resolve Myanmar's issues
and get a clearer understanding of what the Myanmar people really want.

TS: What the people of Burma want is crystal clear i.e. People's
Parliament. No military rule! Democracy!

Please remove the green glasses.

Sincerely

TS
###