U Aung Saw Oo – a political activist

DVB ( August 30 , 2003 )

U Aung Saw Oo : This change is just the never changing change. During 43 years of the military rule, they have often done changes like that. But there is no change of the military rule which is the essence. We don’t want the change of people, we want the change of policy. I see the reshuffle as the scrambling for power among themselves.

DVB : Some people are saying that the appointment of General Khin Nyunt as the PM is the regime’s move to become a civilian government. What do you think?

U Aung Saw Oo : I have no faith in them to this day. If they are moving towards a civilian government, the first thing to do is to reconvene the people’s parliament. They don’t have that right. As they are not an organisation that bravely accepted the decision of the people, they have no right to do it.

DVB : If the reshuffle is an effort to strengthen their power, what do you think why they are doing this?

U Aung Saw Oo : It is to confuse the people of Burma and to deceive the world. The coming 16 September is the 5th anniversary of the formation of the CRPP [Committee for Representing People’s Parliament]. The sub-committees were to submit their reports. And the CRPP is working for the emergence of the people’s parliament and this action could damage them [the generals] legally and they are reshuffling thus as a precaution to prevent these things from happening.

DVB : At the moment, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained. CRPP members are also being detained. Does the CRPP pose a threat to the power of the generals at the moment?

U Aung Saw Oo : But the CRPP has the mandate and they could reconvene the parliament with the people they have, if they like.

DVB : Some people think that General Khin Nyunt is less powerful now that he is a ‘PM’. What do you think?

U Aung Saw Oo : The loss or gain of power is no use to the people. Whoever is in promoted or demoted or sidelined, they are the same beans from the same stinking basket. They are sets vulture twins hatched from the same egg. There is no benefit for the people.

DVB : What about the remaining members of the SPDC?

U Aung Saw Oo : The remaining members will never give up military rule either. They all have the same purpose to propagate military generations forever and ever.

DVB : To sum up, is the reshuffle good for democracy?

U Aung Saw Oo : I have to say that it is not good. If it is good for democracy, the junta must immediately reconvene the people’s parliament.