Mr Ban Ki-moon's speech must not end just in Rangoon

People of Burma did not surprise when they were informed about the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's dissatisfied story during his July 3-4 Burma-trip. Anyway, it will be at lease a good lesson for the top diplomat that the military dictatorship in this country knows no international norms or diplomatic tradition at all.

The worst was that the junta treated the UNSG as their pawn. The junta supervised the agenda of the U.N. Secretary General, exploiting the occasion. Even representatives from seven pro-junta ceasefire groups, were not allowed to speak to Mr. Ban independently, but only could say what junta had told them to speak to him. The meeting was controlled by the regime's authorities, who scripted all questions put to the UN Secretary General.

According to the National League for Democracy (NLD), four central committee executives were firstly permitted to meet and talk with the UNSG for only two minutes. After the party leaders insisted on having more time, they were then given only ten minutes.

"We are not satisfied with time limitation. We sought after to discuss current events far more and offer our proposals, but we had no option," said Win Naing, a spokesperson for the NLD.

During the meeting with the UN Secretary General, the NLD's executive members talked about the release of political prisoners, calls for dialogue, finding a way out for the result of 1990 elections and a review of the current constitution, said the NLD sources in Rangoon.       

The UN Secretary General said he was "deeply disappointed" as he left Burma following his July 3-4 two-day visit, during which Senior General Than Shwe snubbed him of attempting to visit the pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. "I pressed as hard as I could," Ban told reporters. "I had hoped that he would agree to my request, but it is regrettable that he did not."

According to Nyan Win, spokesman for National League for Democracy (NLD), it was a failure for Ban.  "We would like to say it was a great loss for him," the NLD spokesman said.

As for Than Shwe, he made clear to the world. His regime will not follow the UN's consecutive resolutions. The dictator knows the United Nations as a disable body. In addition, Ban Ki-moon must be lackadaisical that the Senior-General is an expert in psychological warfare and a disciplined diplomat isn't match for his cunning.

As stated by grassroots, Ban Ki-moon as well as the United Nations has been widely scoffed at by Than Shwe who blocked Ban to see the Lady. Than Shwe, a disgusting thug showing off as the boss of Burma, is the man who mercilessly suppresses the populace, murders monks, and while the majority of population starves cheerfully organizes a wedding for his daughter.

During his two-day visit, Ban met twice with Than Shwe at the new capital Naypyidaw and was twice dismissed asking for visiting Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently on a trial believed to be double-cross for breaching the terms of her house arrest. His requests for the release of over 2,000 political prisoners and the resumption of dialogue towards reconciliation with the political opposition were also refused.

The U.N. chief expressed his disappointment. He said Burmese regime failed to take an opportunity to show a new era of political openness.

"I am deeply disappointed that Senior General Than Shwe refused my requests," Ban said. "Allowing a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would have been an important symbol of the government's willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible."

Than Shwe is using the United Nations Secretary General's goodwill visit as a way of deceiving the international community and distracting people from the key topic.  Ordinary people in Burma convince that Than Shwe may never make political concessions, especially with reference to Aung San Suu Kyi. He prefers putting her away in dungeon or kicking her out of the country.

The junta's refusal to let UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit captive opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will probably be a new thrust for Security Council action. But the option is likely to be count on China.

The 15-nation Security Council has been incapable of taking serious action in the case of the military ruled Burma. China, the next-door of Burma and a major ally, has been protecting Burma in order to exploit its natural resources. Similar to the United States, Britain, France and Russia, China is a permanent veto-power member of the council and can reject any action on Burma.

 1  |  2