The Statesman
August 11, 2003

We assert that the acknowledged leader of the Myanmarese people, Aung San Suu Kyi, is being held incommunicado in the notorious Insein prison in Yangon, by a bunch of men in army uniform afraid of this frail woman, unarmed and incapable of physical resistance but fired with ideals and matching courage, which overwhelms her tormentors. The junta must not think that when they allowed her a few minutes of conversation with Razali Ismail, the UN representative, or when they sent word to the Thai Prime Minister that she was well and not in prison, anyone believed them. They are making the same mistake that tyrants and despots have made throughout recent history, which is to assume, with an arrogance all their own, that they have only to speak for the world to listen. It listens but does not accept; it is in the habit of finding out what they do not want anyone to know. They may remember that the free press around the world has a close professional bond and it works. If the regime
assert to the contrary they can produce Suu Kyi in her own home for a photo opportunity before the international media.

The Government of India's silence in the face of grave injustice and abuse of international law needs to be reviewed. It rests on two premises, both flawed. One, that the colonels and generals are sheltering assorted insurgents wanted in India and if pushed it could get worse. The truth is they are already doing their worst. It is an unstateable proposition to say that they are waiting for India to take a stand on Suu Kyi to welcome more insurgent groups. Two, military men have a predictable mindset - to advance when there is no resistance and retreat in the face of opposition. If government policy is valid, the question arises why then are we policing the northern border with China and resisting incursions. Further is it not true that if we abandon vigilance they will be encouraged to encroach further into Arunachal Pradesh, which they do not accept as Indian territory in the first place? Is it also not true that Pandit Nehru encouraged them unwittingly by his famous - not a
blade of grass grows there excuse? It is not intended to trivialize the problem on our borders, only to suggest that if the policy then was flawed it is a poor argument to persist with it.

It is also a mistake to wait for Asean to take the lead. With any respect that may be due, it is wise to recognize that most Asian nations in the grouping are not distinguished as democratic with a free and unfettered press. Most of them are in it for what they can get and they can get a lot for the time being by befriending the junta. Indian businessmen there are just as guilty. Let it be stated unambiguously that the democratic urge of the Myanmarese people is alive and will prevail. The junta will not be around for all time. There will be tomorrow. What then? The least we can do is to take the lead in this part of the world to say to the junta - in the name of our common humanity, let Suu Kyi go! And back it up with action. If we say we can do nothing, lock up South Block and throw the key away!