Bo Kyaw Nyein
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

September 8, 2003: When I read or heard another proposal of Roadmap for
Burma, I saw the scene where young kindergarten age girls playing soccer in America. They all rush to reach the soccer ball and kick it to the opposite direction. It is acceptable for a kindergarten age players to lack strategy, form, style and strength. But if you want to play for the world cup and still playing like a kindergarten kids, it becomes pathetic. The same dynamic is happening here. When Roadmap is the buzzword of the day, many are rushing to announce their roadmap plans or organizing with others to brainstorm another road map plan. I sometimes feel that many in the opposition are afraid they might be left out and will loose their place in future Burma if they do not have their own roadmap
plan.

I have a clear message for all Roadmap Wannabes: There is no place for any one in the opposition if SPDC is not removed by all means.

Wannabes in the Burmese politics

It is sad but true because of the propaganda promoted by the military, many young Burmese failed to see the actual struggle General Aung San and his political comrades had to endure to win the Independence for Burma. Many only saw the images of General Aung San, standing tall on top of a horse, and hear the heroic stories of how General Aung San and his thirty comrades drove the English and the Japanese out of Burma. It was basically a promotion of the thirty comrades in order to exaggerate the role of the Burmese army. Unconsciously, many grew up with these images and many think of themselves as next Aung San generation, ready to free Burma again. Unconsciously or by intent, many became Aung San wannabes. Many were shocked when they saw the reality when they reached the border area between Burma and Thailand after the 1988 national uprising. History is repeating itself: Now many have become a Roadmap wannabes.
They are bound for another shock when they face the reality.

It should be loud and clear to everyone that without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release from detention and without Daw Suu leading the unified opposition, none of the roadmap has any merit. There is a closed discussion among some opposition groups, including those who are supposed to be representing her, floating the idea of finding the solution with or without her. Please let me say bluntly. Any solution for Burma without Daw Suu, coming from the SPDC or renegade opposition groups are doomed for failure. Like it or not, Daw Suu is the accepted leader recognized by both the Burmese people and world leaders. She is the only one who has the strength and courage to represent the opposition.

Don't fell for SPDC trick.

The Burmese military has patented the technique of dividing the Burmese
opposition by giving false hope to one group and marginalizing the unity of the opposition. So it is not a surprise that SPDC started organizing the conferences with the help of their so-called Burmese expert friends to promote the idea of "Reconciliation". After Daw Suu was released it gained traction and the word "Reconciliation" became a buzzword among the Burmese opposition population. At the same time, SPDC gave hope to some elements in the opposition that they may be the chosen few to participate in the reconciliation talks. Some even felt that they might be going home soon. Many of the previous Aung San wabbabes fell for their game, established little NGOs, jumped at the opportunity to ask for
grant money, and started to run projects in the name of Reconciliation.

SPDC never had a plan for Reconciliation.

SPDC had never passed the stage of Confidence Building. Yet they started the whispering campaign that it was Daw Suu fault, that Daw Suu was stubborn, that Daw Suu was asking for "all or nothing". Nothing can be so far from the truth. Daw Suu and NLD accept the reconciliation talk on good faith. For this author, when his brother had a chance to meet Daw Suu face to face, it became crystal clear that Daw Suu and NLD were sincere in their approach toward the talks and it was SPDC who was playing games and engaging on dirty tricks. It was SPDC decision makers who failed or refused to meet with Daw Suu and NLD leadership in good faith to find the solution for the country. Nevertheless, Daw Suu is strong, resolute and determined to free the country.

After their cover was blown at the Depayin, they now start to promote the new word, "Roadmap", the buzzword of the day to camouflage and sweeten the false hope. Thailand started the hype, which was followed by the new Burmese Prime Minister Khin Nyunt's roadmap. And now many wannabes are coming out with their own versions and many are still in the planning and discussion stage. Now Reconciliation becomes a Roadmap. When are we going to learn that all these are dirty tricks of SPDC?

We need strength, unity and movement

While Daw Suu is in detention for leading the opposition in the fight against these military thugs, we in the opposition must build strength by building unity. Daw Suu is far out front fighting for freedom and democracy in Burma and the suffering people are behind her struggling to survive everyday life in the midst of the military suppression. We, the opposition forces in the free world, are the weakest link. We have failed to form a united movement to support Daw Suu and the people and to carry out the effective work against the SPDC. This is the time to get united and strengthen our opposition to the SPDC. We need one voice, one force to stand tall behind Daw Suu and the people.

Instead we are forming our own little Roadmap regimes. Without strength, SPDC will not bother to listen to the opposition and without unity, opposition do not have strength.

I hope we all will come to our sense and pool all our resources to form unity and build a movement that will stand tall behind Daw Suu and the people.

(The author is son of former Deputy Prime Minister of Burma U Kyaw
Nyein. The Burmese junta imprisoned him for U Thant Uprising)