The military regime organized meetings between detained ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with some officials in second and third weeks of July, and then she was moved from her solitary confinement to house arrest at a state-owned building. Indonesian, Singaporean, Malaysian and Japanese governments have asked to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. There were also reports that Chinese Special Envoy for on Asian Affairs Deng Xijuan recently visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
This interview with Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw, a specialist in Chinese Affairs, is about possible plan of the military to use Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whether political dialogue will occur and discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Chinese envoy.
TLT: What is your view on the transfer of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest?
Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw: Previous military regimes, the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the State Peace and Development Council, used Daw Aung San Suu Kyi like this. Their steadfast intention is the long-term extension of military dictatorship. So, they are tricking people. People are expecting better situations due to report on dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military. The military’s ongoing plans reflect two things. The first one is that they have no more option to trick people, and they are using outdated strategy. And the second one is that the role of military has declined in economic, politic and diplomatic sector. Actually, it is not sure that the military will release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The military is spreading unconfirmed news. After two or three days of military coup, rumor spread that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released. This is the dirty trick of the military. We don’t need to lie on false hope. Various hardships of Myanmar people are based on the military dictatorship. We must remove it. If negotiation between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military happened in the past, the Spring Revolution would not take place. The military first negotiated with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But she did not accept military’s offer, abandoned her national reconciliation efforts, and was arrested.
TLT: Will the military use Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for their peace talks?
Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw: I advised that no one should be confused with the current news. The military is tricking people. So, people need to continue ongoing efforts.
TLT: What is your view why the military organized a meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs just few days before the expiry of previous state of emergency?
Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw: Daw Aung Suu Kyi kept on her policies of national reconciliation, non-violence, peaceful way and so on. But she might have realized these policies were not useful, and she refused talks. If she always accedes to the military’s demand for peace dialogue to overcome their awkward situation, it would distort her history. People will not surrender this time. The acting president of NUG said that they do not mean to neglect dialogue; a meaningful dialogue must include the total abandon of military from politics; the military must bear responsibilities for their crimes and offences. However, the military does not seem to surrender. They have intended to invite other armed groups to peace talks and they will be allowed to do business to relinquish armed struggles. This strategy does not work anymore this time. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi might have known it. If She recommends dialogue with the junta without standing by the public, people will leave her and continue their way as they have witnessed real situations. Our Spring Revolution is on the right track of history. So, if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi deviates from this way, people will leave her behind. She will not follow the military’s plan, and will stand with people.
The military’s media reported that the junta asked northern alliance armed groups to help for peace-making efforts and ceasefire. The junta is giving message to the public that they are trying for peace and that they need more time. They would not have any other good intention.
TLT: Can you imagine the topics of recent discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Chinese envoy?
Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw: Thai foreign minister met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, Thai foreign minister did not convey the message of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi frankly. It was also the same in meeting with the Chinese special envoy . Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would not speak out the words expected by the military junta.
TLT: What will be possible scenarios in Myanmar as the current state of emergency will expire on 31 July?
Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw: I do not see significant change at the moment. The military council themselves are not likely to have accurate plan. If they continue to take a hard line on their policy, we will go on our fight. We need to put more pressure on them to change their mindset. We need to continue our struggle with armed revolutions and civil disobedience movement as there is no possibility of significant change at the moment.
Thanlwintimes