Interview with the abbot of New Masoeyein Monastery, Mandalay
DVB (2003 June 11)

It was reported that the abbot and a monk of Okkan Tawya Monastery in Monywa were killed from beatings during the assaults by the SPDC thugs on the 30th of May.
Moreover, the SPDC used fake monks to beat up Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her team. In order to find out the reactions of the Buddhist monks in Burma, the DVB interviewed Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha, the abbot of the New Masoeyein Monastery in Mandalay.

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : As usual, whenever there is a riot, the government never gives the true figure of the people killed. In this case, they said that 4 people were killed and they closed down all the schools. I think more than 4 people were killed. More monks must have been killed too. We have never heard of it. They came to tell us about this. As a monk I believe that the acts of violence are very ugly and beastly.

DVB : We have heard that during the assaults, one abbot and a monk of Okkan Tawya Monastery in Monywa were killed. What do you have to say about that?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : As for this, they show that they have no mercy and they do not have respect for the religion.

DVB : We also heard that they used some fake monks to beat up the people. What do you have to say about that?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : As for this, they are using religion for their political gains.

DVB : How could their abuses damage the religion?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : They want to make the uneducated people misunderstand the monks like us here.

DVB : Whatever you say, the incident was an example of a well-armed group attacking unarmed civilians with force and number. What do you have to say about their acts of violence?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : They are using the mentality used during the fight for independence in which they would use force to achieve their aims. What happened was the same in this incident. But the people have nothing in their hands. They have no arms or weapons. People want power by legal and fair means. That’s how I see.

DVB : What kinds of murmurs do you hear among the monks about the incident?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : They are saying that the people are suffering from the unfairness and oppressions and the like.

DVB : The role of the monks is one of the important parts of the history of Burma. What should the monks do to make the country peaceful again while the country is in a jittery state like this?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : As for monks, I want to say that they should go on doing their duties with honesty. They must educate their acolytes on many matters and as their knowledge or common sense increases, the support for the government will decrease considerably. Some monks do not say what they have to say after taking bribes [from the officials]. Then, their faithful will not increase their knowledge and they will be cheated all their lives.

DVB : The authorities say that the incident was the result of the ‘clashes’ between anti and pro- NLD supporters. as if they are not responsible. What do you have to say about this?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : At the moment, they are in power. So they own the news media of this country. They think that they can say anything they like. They have no modern communications in that region and news never arrived in time. How could you know the truth when they cut off the flow of news? As they say, people carry people’s news and the news emerge eventually. People now know that the ‘clashes’ occurred not because the NLD supporters started it and the like.

DVB : What do you have to say about the detentions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo by the government?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : If you really love your country, when problems arise like now, you have to discuss and co-ordinate with famous national leaders and experts; they will be a great help to the government and it will do a great deal good for the country. If you keep on torturing the oppositions, it will delay the progress of the nation considerably.

DVB : In conclusion, we have heard that the people of Burma are very much shaken and anxious by what had happened. What do you want to say to them as words of comfort?

Reverend U Kawainda Biwuntha : I want to say to them to be knowledgeable and have common sense. Do as what was instructed and work for yourself and your country. Don’t work for yourself only but also for all the people including civil and religious servants. Work for the good of your nation without self-interest.

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo, in Burmese 1430 gmt 11 June 03