WMD Forum

[fstolz]

Sooner or later the Junta in Burma will falter, and a strong man will surface to take control of this nation, which tucked in between several large countries with expansionistic plans and they are India and China. While used for many decades as a drug trade route to all points around the world, Burma remains a nation controlled by force and one in which corruption, bribery, and lawlessness remains the norms in most parts of that nation. The worlds nations will soon be competing to exploit the mineral abundance of that nation, but a more serious issue will be that of the political divisions of Muslims verses Buddhists. Although Buddhists are the majority of the population, the Muslims are better organized and financed, and so one can anticipated a religious conflict of growing proportions on the one hand, as well as a political conflict to rid the nation of the Junta which has ruled that nation for many decades.

Stolz sends-


Burma: "Twenty Thousand Gandhis"
World Sandra Carney
October 9, 2007 URL: http://www.newmediajournal.us/guest/carney/10092007.htm
One Burma patriot the honorable Ko-Sithu has coined the phrase “20,000 Gandhi’s” … he wrote:

“Mahatma Gandhi was a one man who changed a nation through peaceful means. Burma brings out 20,000 Mahatma Gandhi’s (the Buddhist Monks) by way of leadership and reciting prayers The world leaders must stop the game of words and start taking stronger action including charging the cling-on Generals for crimes against humanity.”

Today I wish to share with you the opinions and thoughts of Ko-Sithu.

Traditionally, Burma has been a buffer between China and India. China has had a long time influence over Burma, but since the early 1990’s, India is essentially as important a player in the equation. This is good for Burma because too much influence from China is not desirable. Rather than keeping the two at bay it is better for Burma to link in trade with these two nations.

Relationships between the US and China has improved, as has the relationship between the US and Vietnam. With a watchful eye over North Korea, the next logical S.E. Asian country for the USA and the West to focus on should most likely be mineral rich Burma.

Possibly the most influential Burmese diplomat in the West is ex-Ambassador to the United Kingdom Gen. Kyaw Win. He was thought at one time to be the personal physician of the late Gen. NeWin, long time dictator of Burma who took control in 1962 after a bloody coup.

Since last year Gen. Kyaw Win has been in and out of the U.K. on a five year visa. It is certain that Gen.Than Shwe, the current hard line dictator who opposes any relaxing of the grip on Burma, would have had to approve this movement by Gen. Kyaw Win.

It is Ko-Sithu’s opinion that negotiations have been going on between Britain and ex-British Colonies, such as Australia and India.

Australia would be an important partner if the current situation in Burma is defused. Australia has always had close ties with Burma and has been considered friendly to Burma for over four decades.

India would also play an important role. One can only speculate with India’s friendly relationship with the USA, whether behind the scenes the US is also playing a hand in the mix of private negotiations.

Ko Sithu believes that the relationship with non alliance nations is over. ASEAN has lost all credibility.

In his opinion, due to old Colonial ties, the Westminster Parliamentary system and Constitutional structure would suit Burma best. It is rumored that Daw Suu Kyi (known in Burma today as the “Lady”) was offered an important role in Burma’s Education Ministry.

The system of principles and fundamental laws for governing, pre-Socialist days was removed by the military that brought in a Socialist composition in mid 1970s. In 1988 General Sein Lwin (better known as the butcher), and subsequently General Saw Maung took over and removed the Socialist Constitution.

During the election in 1990, Daw Suu Kyi’s party, the NLD (National League for Democracy) won the right to draft a foundation for laws and take the first step towards forming a government. “This is a little known fact” says Ko Sithu.

NLD won by a landslide and together with other political parties and ethnic groups, were to plan a referendum and finally hold an election with rules for governing.

Ko Sithu declares “if NLD had been allowed to govern Burma in 1990, with no fundamental laws in place, there were no guarantees for ethnic groups or religious freedom and no foreign policy etc.”

Currently there is no "Constitution" in Burma but successive Generals ruling on "emergency powers".

NLD has not been permitted to go forward by the revolving door of Generals and Daw Suu Kyi has essentially been under house arrest for the past 17 years. Currently she is in a jail on the outskirts of Rangoon. (The thugs of late who are ruling Burma no longer recognize Rangoon as their capital).

After these many years, NLD remains in chaos and is unprepared to negotiate with the junta. Ko Sithu says “it is heavy with Muslims in its ranks and if in power, the next target for Islamic extremists would be Burma. What then would happen to Buddhism and the majority populace who are Buddhists?” There would be a blood bath between the Muslims and Buddhists, and the tradition and nature of the latter would give way very quickly to the extremists.China remains very concerned about this situation.”

Since the dictatorship took over, for the most part the Buddhist monks have shied away from leading the demonstrations, till this current phase. It appears now that there is movement towards negotiations between pro-democracy groups and the junta. However, says Ko Sithu, “without Buddhist monks as equal partners, NLD will be controlled by Muslims or there would be a clash within the ranks of NLD with heightened pressure from Islamic extremists from outside Burma.”

Ko Sithu’s parting words were:

"Mr. Gambari, MUST meet with the Monks otherwise there will be more deaths." if senior Sayadaws take to the streets, thousands more will join the, and military will shoot them.”

News today, October 1st is that “Thousands dead in massacre of the monks dumped in the jungle Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, according to reports today.
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Major Frank Stolz, USMC (Ret)