AN OPEN LETTER TO SENATOR WEBB

 First of all, the sanctions against the regime in Burma by the US and EU were just designed to distance themselves from the ruthless and inhumane regime.  That was why their sanctions were mere effective to democratize Burma that had already gained the regional cooperation’s and support by China and India.  We have remained cautiously optimistic about it since from the beginning.  Anyhow, sanctions could manage to hurt the businesses, 80%  of them were own by the military Generals greatly no doubt.  The sanctions followed by tougher measures to contain the regime have never taken in place until today.  Their enthusiasm might played a major role in this regard.

Again, “human rights violations”, the only modern language left for the UN to fit the regime to be tied, unfortunately portrayed itself less than a boogeyman for the regime because of the veto powers like China and Russia.  By the time while the EU has been measuring the actions against the ruthless regime by scaling up with their moral standard, US with its appeasement engagement policy toward China has undoubtedly washed its charge against the regime in Burma and left it pretty much in China’s hand in this regard obviously. As a result, the idea to charge the regime with its human rights violations is just another myth to be hopeful.  The dream of international intervention by the Buddhist Monks sacrificing their lives in 2007 has gone down to the drain along with their bloods and tears in the end.

Also, according to the recent news, in a significant development, which came as a surprise, US Senator Jim Webb, visiting Burma as part of a whistle stop tour of five Asian countries, on Saturday met detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was given an 18-month suspended sentence last week, her party spokesperson said.  Finally, the man was released and his mission was prevailed. Plus, he was allowed to meet Daw Suu who has remained in under house arrest still.

Ironically, his original “Mercy Mission” to free the man, who caused our leader to get into the jail and to remain in under house arrest at least, couldn’t be a proud one for Mr. Webb. Realistically, the major issue Mr. Webb might want to tackle is to apologize both Daw Suu and the regime for what Mr. Yattaw had caused dearly to Daw Suu’s freedom which is the lifeline for the people of Burma especially at this time of uncertainty.  In addition, his “Mercy Mission” should as a matter of fact be the freedom of Daw Suu in the first place.  Thus, the world including the citizens of the US would applaud it no doubt.

Perhaps, the mission, behind the scene, is to lay some foundations for his “constructive engagement” policy by joining with Thailand that has been exploiting Burma’s natural and human resources with the same policy for more than two decades. Well, then it is brilliant.  However, in order to make it happen he must have enough guts to lower the US’s moral standard at the same level of China, India and the neighbors of Burma, who always want to exploit our country’s natural resources and human resources.  Also, he must choose a path between “shame and corrupt” before he made up his mind.  On his side, Than Shwe is always happy to play game with any international players like Razali, Gambari, Ban Ki Moon and finally Mr. Webb as long as he is getting whatever he wants without giving up anything in turn.  Remember, Than Shwe’s delay and defeat technique have always worked to keep on making the lives of fifty million people miserable.

Planning Committee
Date: August 19, 2009