U Hlaing Aye, the NLD MP of No.2, Pakokku Township Constituency, Magwe Division

DVB ( August 30 , 2003 )

DVB : Many people believe that the SPDC is gradually heading towards a form of civilian government by this reshuffle because of the international pressures after the Dipeyin incident. As a MP, what are your views on the changes?

U Hlaing Aye : In my view, it is too early to comment. It is hard to say. Sec-1 became the Prime Minister. Is he still remaining as a member of the main body of the SPDC? We don’t know clearly about this. If they are having just a new form, nothing has changed. They are the same people. The same people are ruling the country. There is no change. It is the same as when General Ne Win became ‘U’ Ne Win.

DVB : Do you see it as a political trickery?

U Hlaing Aye :We want them to have the desire of change for the better. If they don’t have the desire of change for the better and have only a made-up change, I think things will be the same. It all depends on what they are continuing to do. We have to know that. In fact, we need to have a meeting among the authority, the people and the NLD. We need to exchange views. We must trust and respect each other. We must not ignore the desires the people and the majority. Basically, we need to have ‘metta’ [loving kindness]. If we could do that, I don’t think there could be no unsolvable problems.

DVB : Many political observers believe that the regime will detain Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and top NLD leaders for a long time, and it will try as hard as it could to make people like you and other NLD members to be on their side and destroy the NLD gradually. This is their first step for this, say some people…

U Hlaing Aye :They could well try this method and they have been trying this and they have done so…But that method doesn’t have the potential for success because like the fact that you won’t be able to convert a Christian or a Buddhist.

DVB : During the 14 years of the NLD, they have been detaining Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for several times. This is the worst. Whenever she was released, the activities of the NLD were accelerated and its members are very enthusiastic. Whenever they arrest and detain Daw Aung San Suu Kyi thus, the NLD’s activities are quiet, say commentators abroad. What should the remaining NLD leaders and members like you should do to avoid this scenario where there is no activity when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained?

DVB : The situation is like this. It is not only Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained. All CEC members [of the NLD] are being detained. The situation for the NLD had never been that bad. This is the worst. …We still have divisional leaders. They are going to keep on doing what they have to do. We have to consult each other…

U Hlaing Aye : What do the divisional and regional NLD leaders including you have to do if they don’t release the top leaders immediately?

DVB : We have to try harder for their releases. We have to keep on persuading them [authorities] until they agree with us. We want them to act and walk on the right tract. If we could persuade the people who are most responsible, things will work out. That is a very difficult task. We have to do this. If they could choose the best way for themselves, we like them. That’s what I want. If they choose the best way for themselves and the authorities by talking to the NLD and the ethnic nationals, I think it is the best way.