The meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and junta’s Liaison Minister Aung Kyi throw up hopes of a dialogue between the junta and the opposition for political change in Burma. If this dialogue bears fruit, the people of Burma and the whole world will be undoubtedly happy. But at the same time, it may be the junta’s game plan to marginalize the pro-democracy leader and her party, the ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD).
In a letter dated September 25, sent to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Chairman Senior Gen. Than Shwe, by the democracy icon, she offered to help lift economic and diplomatic sanctions, which were imposed by some western countries because of the junta’s appalling human rights violations.
As the Obama administration in the US changed its policy towards Burma and decided to use both tools, engagement and sanctions simultaneously rather than isolation, there is likely to a tangible result if the Burmese generals respond positively to the detained opposition leader and NLD General Secretary.
The positive side at the moment is letting Suu Kyi meet the Liaison Minister Brig. Gen. Aung Kyi and diplomats from leading western nations, which imposed sanctions on Burma. But the limited authority of the Liaison Minister makes the end result gloomy and uncertain.
To reach even this stage, many people had to sacrifice their lives and many had to languish in prisons. The military regime started extending its proposal in the wake of the monk-led protest two years ago, which demanded a dialogue and national reconciliation by chanting Metta Sutra. The junta made this proposal with the intention of easing political pressure at home and abroad, nothing more.
In this proposal, the junta chief made pre-conditions for meeting Suu Kyi - to give up the policy of confrontation, and push for sanctions against the regime.
If sanctions is the root cause of failure in dialogue, all the hurdles can be overcome this time. But if the name of the game is the junta winning in the forthcoming elections in a different form and getting recognition from the international community, it will be a far cry from our goal.
Pseudo dialogues have been in evidence before. Before trying to kill Suu Kyi and her supporters near Depayin in 2003 by junta backed thugs of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), Than Shwe met Suu Kyi and after the Depayin massacre, the meetings became a reason for the regime's propaganda.
Even though we don’t want to see, if history repeats itself this time, this dialogue will become an excuse for marginalizing Suu Kyi and her party, the NLD from the political process. No wonder the junta wants the international community to believe that they have been trying for a dialogue but every time it ends with the refusal by the opposition leader.
