31 January 2003
Ref: General Soe Win.
Being a general one would think the mind to engage before the mouth. In this
case, it appears not to be so. For a high-ranking officer to make comments as
he did, is a clear example of mouth before mind and opens up a multitude of
responses. If this is how he commands his division, then the lives of his
soldiers will be short.
It is said, that during his tour of Pegu and Irrawaddy this poor example of a
military leader, has embarrassed and undermined his superiors by making
insinuations toward both the NLD and China. This would be regarded as a
massive irregularity among any leadership. Indeed, it would place extreme
consequences on any leadership. It certainly places China into a political
dilemma, one that they would prefer not to be openly advertised.
As a general he should have studied world affairs, policies and the protocols
together with political ethics which accompany those subjects, all of which
is part and parcel of staff officer learning in order to assess the effects
any rash statement may have on his own country. But, because of the draconian
nature within Burma's military infrastructure, all persons entering it at
staff rank must of course be seen to be ignorant of real politics, as this
would make them a threat to the upper ranks within the regimes hierarchy,
therefore placing them at risk. Even generals can be held to ransom if they
are seen to become distant from the regimes doctrines. Many of Iraq's senior
officers for example have disappeared because of their growing knowledge of
real politics and concern for their country; Stalins Russia was another key
example, why should Burma be any different?
Burma is but a dot on the map as far as China is concerned. It holds no real
political ambition toward the country other than perhaps a talking point over
dinner.
Yes, it supplies weaponry and takes interest in other minor areas as do a
variety of other countries, including Israel, but not enough to wage war
against America over. America is more a benefit to China for its long-term
economy and advancement. If China had to choose between its own stability in
the world and Burma, the choice is obvious.
China is a country of great thought. It has only ever supported hostilities
when its borders are under threat, not because of its ideology, as did the
former USSR. China may spread its cultural wings throughout the world, but to
learn, not to wage war.
Depending from where you observe, the Vietnam War is a prime example of
respect between these two mighty powers, a respect that is ignored because of
facts kept secret.
History indicates that America lost the war in Vietnam, it did not! For
those who study these theatres in detail and have access to all information
will consider the fact of why China, chose 'not' to insert equal numbers of
troops and equipment to the level of America's commitment as answer enough?
In today's world, ideologies are preached, not fought over. Only the weak
minded and the tyrants of today have to inflict their rule by terror, in
order to stay in power, and thankfully they are being slowly dispelled.
Burma is not seen as a threat, so it is allowed to run under its own steam.
Any assistance from either China or western governments is purely peripheral,
and is mostly for show. If Burma was seen as a major piece on the game
board, you could guarantee that a strong surface presence of influence would
show itself from both China and America.
China is very aware that any major surface conflict with the west could allow
western ideologies with its freedoms and its luxuries to be witnessed by its
troops who would take that knowledge home with them. Only the most fanatical
of party members are allowed to travel to the west, again for the said
reason. It was precisely this dream, which brought down the USSR. Once
freedom is experienced by the masses and the troops it is impossible to ever
return to isolation and dictatorships, the complete chaos within the former
communist block is a good example of people wanting to forget that particular
ideology, and would never allow it to return.
This should be a clear sign to those fighting for democracy in Burma. The
war against tyranny is a home front war. It can only be fought and won from
within. The type of ideology the pro-democracy groups want can only be
preached and not fought over. They must win the 'free to choose minds of the
people' as the west did to communism in the former USSR! This can only be
reached by showing them the choices, which at the moment they are aware of
one choice only!
To achieve this, more effort should be aimed at focalising the people and the
troops for which the regime depends to keep hold of power. The longer period
the people are isolated the longer a regime will dominate. Communist
revolution used the poverty of the masses as a weapon, to rise up against the
upper class section of society, only to tighten the chains. The same
technique can be used in reverse to over throw a ruthless and non-caring
regime, which is exactly what happened in the USSR, and will eventually be
copied in China, but it takes commitment and sacrifice and evidence showing
that one is better than the other!
If the image of freedom is not placed firmly in the minds of the masses, they
will continue to live a life they believe to be for them. It does no good
for 'would be' politicians to shout among themselves and cry for outside
help, if they are failing to display images of a free society to the masses,
allowing them to realise that their present life style is held in chains. If
an outsider were to move about in the depths of the jungles, as I did, they
would find that the letters on their minds are, 'PDP'. Why is this? If I,
as a foreigner, am able to move around undetected, why is it other parties
calling for democracy, cannot, or is it will not? Is it because the 'PDP' is
the only party who consider the people as important?
A decade of stalemate within certain political parties in Burma is not a sign
the people would acknowledge as fruitful. If a voice supposedly representing
the people has no affect in helping people to lose their fears, how does that
voice expect the people to support it?
Statements such as that made by general Soe Win show the lack of confidence
he has in his own and the regimes ability to encourage the people that their
survival does not depend on the big daddy syndrome. Statements like this
should be exploited to the extreme. It reads, that the regime is afraid of
something, for them to entice the people, and themselves, that China would
assist them if any acts against them were to arise.
The democracy groups must learn how to reach the people, because without them
they have nothing!
The false impression about China, gives the regime a pillar of support, so it
believes. In truth China would do better from Burma if it were a stable
government with a prosperous economy.
Many of us in the west cannot appreciate the thinking and culture of the
Burmese people, which is the reason we find it difficult to understand why
they fail to recognise a proper course of action when it is so clear to us.
For many years I operated inside the former communist block countries where a
simple object such as a western advertising magazine (illegal in these
countries) showing all the comforts of the west had immense effect on the
minds of ordinary people. A second choice was shown to them, along with the
police and military using various methods, and slowly but surely the
communist government realised that its days were numbered.
There are some brilliant minds within the Burmese community but from my own
assessment, it appears to a westerner that actions, which are the key to
success, are being muffled by myths, superstitions and the beliefs that
certain suggestions should not be made in case of embarrassment or considered
to be un- dignified. In a modern world the reality of freedom can be
difficult to comprehend by many, because all of the worlds tyrants demonise
democracies, therefore using those who are willing to die for a belief as a
personal tool in order to uphold their own personal power base, and nothing
more. . It is unknown for a tyrant leader to offer his own life for a cause
he promotes! If a cause is worth suicide why do the leaders prefer life?
Of course we know the answer.
The Burmese people must pull themselves into today's world if they want to
live free lives. A well known saying; 'You can take a horse to water but
you cannot make it drink' All the answers have been made available over the
years, but only the 'PDP' seem to be listening and learning, and more
importantly, acting! Everyone else seems to be swimming around endlessly in
circles waiting for someone to toss them a life raft.
'Help comes to those who help themselves. Only fools wait!
Note: It is only the ill informed and the tyrants of the world who criticize
America. Those who are aware are conscience of the immense strength with its
industrial might, its economical wealth and to many; the incomprehensible
might of its military, where nothing on this planet can come close to. If
this country was to ever lose its patients with the world or it felt
seriously threatened, it could wipe out mankind as we know it, and still
leave their country intact.
If America decided to cancel out its dollar accounts, the world would
collapse. It will affect America, but not as bad as the rest of the world,
which would come to a grinding halt.. Only a country where complete freedom
roams, could you build and then handle that kind of immense power without
abusing it. It is truly a sleeping gentile giant. Woken up during war, its
enemies have felt its mighty anger.
What people choose to forget is the fact that America rebuilt the countries
its enemies struck out from, when it could quite easily have left them to
their own miserable fate. Germany is where it is today, Japan is where it is
today, to name just two, only because the compassion of America allowed it by
pouring many billions of dollars into the countries of its former enemies,
who in turn had nothing but contempt for the free world. It's true that
freedom can be taken for granted by us who are privileged to have it, whereas
those who have never experienced it can easily be duped by tyrannical
regimes. People, who have been locked up in a time warp, are shocked when
they first witness free societies. To experience the look on East German
faces when they first climbed over the remnants of the Berlin wall, into West
Berlin, was exasperating. They were incensed by the different world they had
entered. The shops were full of goods they had never seen. People were free
to come and go where they please. All of this was only possible with
American influence and assistance. Ask any tyrant which currency bank
account he has hidden away in a far off country, it can be guaranteed to be a
US dollar account. For those who criticize this country who has brought
prosperity to many countries, do so because they fear it will destroy their
own power base and end their tyranny.
Shaun.
A UK org. member.