Burma's Opposition Breaks Silence

by Ma Nguyen Tong

14-1-2002

Burma's pro-democracy movement issued its most strongly-worded criticism of the military government since secret talks began between the two sides more in 2000. The National League for Democracy (NLD) used the occasion of the national Independence Day celebrations to demand a speedy transition to democracy and the release of its leader, Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi has been held under house arrest since September 2000 after confronting the authorities over restrictions on her movements.

Burma's military leaders marked Independence Day by staging colourful ceremonies in Rangoon but failed to mention the pro-democracy movement or Aung San Suu Kyi. There had been speculation among the diplomatic community in the capital, Rangoon, that the authorities might take the opportunity to make a conciliatory gesture to the NLD.

Since November 2000 there had been hope of political progress as the two sides held a series of secret talks. During this period they had been observing an informal truce, with the state-run media halting their vitriolic attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi, while the NLD refrained from criticism of the government.

The new NLD demands were made at a gathering of 500 supporters at the party's headquarters in Rangoon.

"The country is facing political, economic and social hardship but we believe that that political problems could be resolved through political means," said NLD chairman Aung Shwe. Analysts said his comments reflected frustration over the slow progress of the talks. Although there had been few tangible results, about 200 political prisoners were released and the government had allowed greater access to visiting United Nations envoys. But government officials had warned not to expect anything unusual on January 4, 2002.

Spectacle

More than 10,000 people watched dancers and marching bands parade in the shadow of Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda. After a flag-raising ceremony they heard a message from the junta's leader General Than Shwe, which stressed the themes of national unity and patriotism.

"National solidarity is important for Myanmar [Burma] which is home to various national races," the message said. "The main factor that forges national unity is the 'union spirit' which is based on patriotism."

The NLD won elections held in May 1990, but the military junta failed to hand over power.

Burma gained independence from Britain on January 4, 1948 after more than 120 years of colonial rule. The military had been in power since staging a coup in 1962.