WILL THE ROAD MAP SOLVE PROBLEMS IN BURMA?

(By Lawi Weng)

The word "road map" has become familiar among the Mon people within the last few weeks because some people in our movement are trying to write their own road map called the Mon Road Map. Some people in our movement show that their road map can help to solve problems in Burma, or they have the capacity to write a road map like Prime Minister Khin Nyunt. However, I would like to let our people know where the word "road map" comes from and what kinds of problems for countries using a road map need to solve.

Who invented the concept of road map? Israel and Palestine implemented a road map in order to solve the problems in the Middle East. It seemed the best way to solve the problems facing the people in the Middle East. Even though it has become a buzzword, some people doubt if it can solve intense conflict. People are dying almost every day by killing each other and from suicide bombings and no one can say whether the road map for Israel and Palestine will solve everything.

Can the road map solve the problems in Burma? More specifically, can our Mon people say exactly what the road map can solve?

Who invented the word "road map" for Burma? The Thai Foreign Minister appeared willing to solve problems; soon after arriving back from Vietnam he mentioned the road map philosophy. Not mentioning who was to be involved clearly showed he wanted only to gain a good reputation with the Burmese junta and the international community. He should be aware of the principles of the road map, which can be negotiated by both sides of leaders sitting at the table to discuss Burma's issues.

For instance, in solving the conflict in the Middle East, both leaders sit together at the table and discuss the conflict together. Without a facilitator, both leaders can negotiate with each other. So, can the Thai Foreign Minister bring in both sides (the Burmese military and the opposition leaders) to the table at the same time to discuss Burma's issues with his road map? He tried to bring in the Burmese military to his road map, but they didn't accept it, it floundered at the outset. Not wanting to appear like a pushover to the international community, Khin Nyunt outlined his own road map with seven points to build a democratic country, which showed a degree of willingness of democracy in Burma.

In reality however, the Burmese military is not willing to solve the problems. They don't want to ever have democracy in Burma, as shown by the crackdown on May 30 in which innocent pro-democracy activists were killed. They arrested the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, now kept it seems under a perpetual state of house arrest. They say they are going to set up a commission to work with the road map, but really are only buying time in order to stay in power for as long as they can.

Mon people should not let Khint Nyunt stay in power for long. Will Khint Nyunt be happy if he sees the Mon road map? Are we neglecting the tripartite dialogue? While the military government extols their position, don't follow them. We are not dictators like the junta.

(Lawi Weng is a Mon student of Foreign Affairs Training based in Chiang Mai, Thailand)