Written by Administrator

Thursday, 08 July 2010 14:01

Under a different political situation in Burma I would have been pleased that a
group of Shans have formed a new political party to contest an election. I would
even congratulate them and wish them luck. Elections are important and all
citizens should vote if the votes are for improving the situation, by bringing about
a change of a dictatorial to a democratic regime. But when you already know that
the election set up by the junta is a sham, and will not be a fair one, it is better
for the country that citizens do not participate in such an election.

The present day Burma, including the Shan State is ruled by a tyrannical,
dictatorial group of military Generals under Than Shwe. Since 1962, citizens
have been oppressed, without any freedom ofspeech or actions. They have been
bullied and injected with fear. During the past fifty years, how many people have
died and how many have suffered? How many have been killed, young girls and
women gang-raped, homes and lands confiscated? How many have fled to
neighboring countries and become internally displaced? How many have been
tortured and put in prison?
How can you forget the broken promises of the "Panglong Agreement" of equal
opportunity and equal status; the agreement that has been completely dishonored
by the two military regimes? The Generals also made promises to the ceasefire
groups, but now they are being pressurized to become border guards under their
command. Even their close allies, such as the Kokang and the Was have been
betrayed.
The 2008 constitution ensures that 25 percent of the seats in parliament would be
held by the military-led Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The
regime's propaganda and campaign are in full swing, while the other parties have
little or no freedom, and time for campaigning.
The Constitution drawn up by them gives absolute power to the military rule and
legalizes military coups. It grants total immunity for any past human rights
violations committed by the current or former ruling juntas .
There is no hope that Burma will ever become a democratic country. Having had
an election does not mean that the country has become democratic, especially
when citizens are forced or bribed to vote for parties sponsored by the military.
The Shan Nationalities Democratic party has set out several genuine policies
which they hope to pursue as their political goals. Their policies are not unlike
the principles set out in the Panglong Agreement, by General Aung San and the
Sao Hpas and other non-Burman ethnic Leaders. They are also the policies
followed by Daw Aungsan Suu Kyi and her party, by Hkun Oo and SNLD
members. Just look back and see what has become of these people. Can anyone
honestly say that the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party would be allowed to
pursue their principles, the very principles the military are scared of and trying to
ignore for the last fifty years of their occupation?
The opposition parties are allowed to vote, but without the freedom of speech and
the right to oppose and criticize the military government. The military personnels
may change their clothing and call themselves civilians but they will still be
militaries at heart. After the election no doubt some parties will survive but only
those who completely summit and go along with the sham constitution.
Like some foreign communities and media, the Shan Nationalities Democratic
Party have the view that in time the situation in Burma could gradually improve
by civilized debate of give and take in parliament. History tells us that the
military has never given in to ordinary civilians, but have taken everything at the
expense of their suffering .
The military desperately needs the Shans to be on their side now that the Was are
resisting their demand and standing firm. They will bribe and promise anything,
the one thing they are very good at. They can be very convincing, and those who
do not know the history of the country and the mentality of Generals are easily
taken in by their sweet talk. Anyone after meeting or coming into contact with the
Generals, even foreign government agent, are easily conned by them.
The Generals badly want this election to be a success so as to legalize their
regime, to make the Constitution law and to hold on to power forever.
If this should happen, Myanmar will be under a unitary tyrannical, dictatorial
regime for a very very long time. The Shans and other non- Burman ethnic
groups will continue to lose their human rights, culture, language and religion.

S. N. Oo