Economist Zaw Oo attended the three-day Economic Forum in Naypyitaw on August 19-21.Even though Zaw Oo, once a political adviser to the exiled government of the National Coalition Government of the Union, has been traveling to Burma since 2008 with the consent of the then military junta, his image has appeared on state-run television only recently during occasions when he attended seminars and forums in the Naypyitaw.

While some hardline Burmese exiles are unhappy that Zaw Oo is working with the "enemy," he now leads Vahu, which has conducted capacity building training sessions. Mizzima reporter Kyaw Kha interviewed Zaw Oo about his return visits to Burma, economic forums and his political career. 

Q: How many times have you visited Naypyitaw to read papers?

A: This is my second visit to Naypyitaw this year, but I don’t remember how many times I have visited Burma. Yes, I visited Burma before, but I don’t remember the details. The main reason for my visits to Burma was to work on rehabilitation projects for Cyclone Nargis victims after 2008.

Q: How about your reception by government officials in Naypyitaw, since you were once in opposition to them? Is it strickly business-like relations or friendly relations? 

A: I received very encouraging, warm and cordial treatment from them because they invited three Burmese economists who are teaching in foreign universities to present their papers at this forum. They were Kyaw Yin Hlaing, Tin Maung Maung Than and me. I must say it was a satisfying and warm welcome for us. 

In my paper, I drew lessons from other countries on economic reform. I focused on economic discussions and suggestions and at the same time I went there to help them in implementing this economic reform work in other ways. 

Q: How do you see the situation of the new government in Naypyitaw? 

A: We can say much has been changed. The main change is at the top. I mean the president himself and top-level leaders spoke on poverty and poverty alleviation which was once a taboo subject in our country at the time of previous governments. The previous government used to say everything was okay. Now the president said there was poverty in our country, and we must change the situation. And also we heard about “cronies” and the forum also talked frankly and openly about these “cronies.”

Moreover, I saw many political groups, NGOs and the media openly discuss and criticize during the forum. So we can say that steps are being taken leading to a positive side. 

Q: What about the response to your paper? Do you believe your suggestions will be used in economic reform? 

A: In my paper, I presented opportunities, challenges and tendencies in Burma’s integration with Asean.  Economically backward countries like our country will face big challenges when Asean becomes a single market and economic zone in 2015 with free trade and free investment along with good opportunities for businesses. 

So it’s time to get ready, for unity. I advocated to work collectively and in unity for economic reform in the country while working for integration with Asean. I believe they will accept many of my suggestions. 

Q: News is circulating in the country that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will visit Burma. What sort of assistance can the IMF give for reforming Burma’s monetary system? 

A: The IMF provides assistance to other countries too for the stability of currency so we can say the technical assistance given by IMF will be important to us. As for the financial assistance from the IMF, it is a financial institution comprised of international countries and it can lend money to a member country after getting approval and the opinions of other countries.

In the current situation, the US government is still imposing economic sanctions on Burma so it is impossible for the IMF to lend money to Burma. I don’t see the Burmese government as doing this work (currency reform) as an incentive and sweetener to get the loans from the IMF. We can cooperate with the IMF at this stage on what suggestions the IMF can give Burma in monetary and currency reform works and what we can do best based on their experiences and suggestions.
  
Q: Did you talk with Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw? We heard some people said Aung San Suu Kyi didn't seem to like you. 

A: It may be a rumour. There were many people at this forum. Aung San Suu Kyi sat at the front row as a special guest so she didn’t have a chance to talk directly to us, but I walked to her and greeted her.

Q: Some members of the exile opposition, for instance some ABSDF (All Burma Students Democratic Front) members, say that you are constantly changing your colour. What do you say to those kinds of criticism? 

A: Since we left our country, I think, everyone is doing their best for the country with good intent and cetena [benevolence]. Me, too. I think that I’ve worked in this way. Other people also try to do the best they can based on their own ways. The goal is same – for the welfare of the people and our country. But the style of work is different with each person, so some say things like that about me. Many people include personal attacks on me so I don’t need to explain to them. Most of the people working in Vahu have worked with me since 1988. So they are my reliable and trusted colleagues. I thank them very much for working with me during this time. If these allegations were true, they would not work with me today. 

Q: Vahu supported the 2010 general election and the military regime didn’t arrest your trainees who came to Thailand to attend your training sessions and these trainees didn’t face any harassment from the authorities. Is that true? 

A: Our training did not start in 2010. We started this type of  training in 2006 as Vahu Development training. We did a lot of capacity building and social development training. We have conducted such capacity training many times for civil societies and community-based organizations since 2006. The training has nothing to do with this issue. 

Q: You met government cabinet ministers and generals at Naypyitaw. Prior to this forum, President Thein Sein said that the Burmese in exile could come back home. Do you believe these exiles can come back home safely now? 

A: We have seen things that give us hope for that. I understand that the Parliament and government are considering ways to make this offer more concrete. The important thing is the law that is passed; the exiles can come back home based on this law. Only after exiles come home can we work more together to face the challenges. Otherwise, it will just be a visit home. “Just a visit” will not fill the current needs.

We are Burmese so we must come back to Burma some day. We can work more effectively when a good environment for concrete reform is created

Q: Is the former Burmese ambassador to the U.S., Lin Myaing, your relative?
 
A: No, but we have an intimate relationship. We’ve met each other many times at meetings in the U.S.