(Interview) – Burmese writer Dagon Taryar, 93, a lifelong peace activist, recently urged government troops and ethnic armed groups to stop the fighting and start a real dialogue to establish peace, noting the extensive loss of life and damage to the country’s infrastructure. Dagon Taryar aka Htay Myaing attended the World Peace Council meetings held in Vienna, Austria in 1953 and the meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1961. In 1974, he chaired the World Peace Council and worked in peace campaigns. Mizzima reporter Tun Tun talked with Dagon Taryar, who lives in Shan State.
Question: You’ve sent out a private letter urging people across the country to work for peace.
Peace activist and writer Dargon Taryar of Shan State.Answer: Yes. I delivered the letters in Rangoon too. I have a man, Hla Maung, from Monywa. He distributed my letter to his close associates.
Question: What did your letter say?
Answer: I urged [the people] to make peace. I wanted to make people understand the phrase “People are not killed, the country is not ruined.” Obstacles may be encountered, but we will achieve peace, I hope.
Question: Why did you think you needed to write such a letter?
Answer: The [peace] agreement has been broken. The soldiers [the Burmese government] took power by force. The army held the 2010 election. Now, the military junta [the military-dominated government] has come to power. First, we should make peace, so I wrote the letter. Initially, they may reject it. They seem to be filled with hate. As for me, even if I am forced to hate, I cannot.
Currently, in our country the Burmese army is fighting against the Kachin, Chin, Karen, Mon, Shan and other ethnic people. In my opinion, a civil war has broken out. That’s not good, because they [the government] have hatred. The other side does not hate. But, the people and the soldiers from the government side hate [ethnic people]. They seem to be full of hate.
Question: How deep are the problems in Burma now? Is there any hope for a positive solution to stop the fighting?
Answer: Civil war will adversely affect the people. If it spreads, it can affect eating and drinking habits. It can affect health. It can shorten lifespans. I’m afraid that will happen. I have expected too much. People have potential. They can do it, and they know how to do it. The longer a lifespan, the more chance people have to achieve peace. Without peace, nothing can be done. The military personnel do not have anything to be attached to. They are pitiful. They only have Korea [Korean films] to be attached to.
I like peace. I want to live peacefully. People who disagreed with me did not like my phrase, “No enemy.” Now, half of them support me. Some people may think that if they support me, they will lose their dignity. That’s my opinion. Anyway, they have supported me. Many people talk about peace. The whole world says it wants peace. But, do they do as they say? Some people’s actions are different from their words. They are not making peace. I think that the next movement will be peace movement.
Question: How is the current impasse in the political arena linked to peace in the country?
Answer: Peace is important. Very important! Negotiations occurred in Burma before the military coup. Despite criticism, the Burmese people do not have hatred. All are good, honest and they like peace. Although they wanted to try to achieve peace, they were arrested [by the government]. The authorities beat them and arrested them.
They are aggressive. The people who are armed with weapons think that weapons can achieve their goals. No. Weapons cannot. The world seems worse, I think. Problems are getting worse in Burma and in the Middle East too.
Question: In your letter you wrote, “Bullets cannot provide security; only loving kindness can ensure security.”
Answer: Loving kindness is the fundamental requirement in Buddhism. I think it is deep. The more we love and the stronger our love, the closer we are to peace. [If people have loving kindness], they will try to establish peace.
Question: Do you have a message for government troops and the ethnic armed groups who are fighting?
Answer: I would like to urge them to make peace. It’s simple. If they sincerely make peace efforts, peace can be achieved. Both sides have chances to use weapons. I don’t expect too much. Now the country is ruined. Burma is ruined. I live in Shan State. The people in rural areas are in a pitiful situation. They grow crops but the production falls. Moreover, the [consumer] prices have gone up. Peace is required for people to have enough money. Without peace, people cannot be prosperous. We cannot rely on weapons [fighting]. We need to use peaceful ways to avoid killing. Many people have been killed in the Middle East and Burma. Both are the same.
Question: What kind of people does it take to form an effective peace movement?
Answer: Peace can be achieved if you work for it. People of your age [about 30] are active. I worked for peace when I was your age. I took part in peace movements, but just by words. I’m not good at organizing. I admit that I don’t have the skills to do that. Young people are active. Their thoughts are strong and right. You [young people] don’t lie. I know you. People your age don’t lie. So, just do it. As for me, I’m old. As an elderly man, I’m physically weak. I feel frustrated. I may have ideas, but I cannot be as active as you.
Young people are mentally strong and determined. So, I want to encourage the young to make efforts––peace can be achieved.
Question: Do you have a final thought to leave with people who want to work for peace?
Answer: Forming the Border Guard Forces provides the army with more soldiers and weapons. It makes [the government] stronger. It will be better if it can be dissolved. I mean you should try that via peaceful means. I hope you understand. The peaceful way is the best way.
