Misuse of Power and Privileges

After forcibly occupying the whole of Burma, the military leaders had two choices: to develop and improve the federation of the Union of Burma founded by Bogyoke Aung San, representatives of ethnic Burmans and leaders of the Non- Burman ethnic nationalities, or to destroy and disintegrate the Union. They chose the latter by abandoning the Panglong Agreement and abrogating the 1948 Constitution, the only legal constitution.    
      
With the self acclaimed power the regimes acquired from U Nu’s civilian government, national sovereignty with responsibility and accountability to the people of Burma, and a membership to the United Nations. They acquired these two great privileges without having to go through any election processes, but during the five decades of their regime they misused both of these privileges.
 
They regarded national sovereignty as their property, and think they own all the land and the people and can use them as they pleased. They used national sovereignty as an excuse for every unreasonable action they take; they used it irresponsibly and without any accountability to the people.
 
The SPDC generals claim that they are protecting the national sovereignty and security of Burma but they have done nothing for the people of Burma; they have miserably failed to provide security and freedom. Burma is rich in natural resources yet the majority of citizens of Burma are suffering and starving, and are unable to survive in their own country. They have become refugees in foreign countries and internally displaced people in their own country of birth. Most areas of Burma have rich and beautiful environments. The military regimes could have made good use of this blessing but because of their misjudgement the country is almost depleted of trees due to years of extensive deforestation; the ecosystem and farmlands are destroyed because they are building several dams on the Salween River.
 
As a member of the United Nations, the generals could have been part of those working for the progress of mankind but again they missed the opportunity. Instead of abiding by the pledges in the United Nation’s Human Rights Charter the generals have committed the most atrocious human rights violations against the citizens of Burma. As a member of the United Nations they have no respect for the Secretary General and other members; this is because they have no respect for themselves.
 
Is it because they have committed so much inconceivable human rights violations against the citizens, that they themselves have become so Xenophobic? Or is it because they lack confidence in themselves and their illegal power? Whatever the reasons not only the generals are living in fear, but they have also implanting fear in all citizens of Burma.
 
It is not surprising that despite the suffering caused by Cyclone Nargis, the generals are going ahead with the referendum to legalise their power. Instead of putting all resources toward saving the lives of the victims of the cyclone, the military is concentrating on legalising military rule in Burma through a “sham” constitution. Yesterday (10 May) was the day for the referendum but news is coming in from many voting centres that cheating, threatening, forcing and imprisoning are going on; in some centres citizens are trying to argue for their rights but have been threatened with imprisonment.. The junta have again missed the chance of working together with leaders of various groups and play a part in building a proper democratic Burma. They have decided to go it alone and by hook or crook trying to legalise the “sham” constitution.
 
The Burmese junta has blocked foreign search and rescue teams into the cyclone hit area. It is like passing a death sentence for thousands of people who are unreachable or trapped in areas surrounded by floating dead bodies and without food and shelter. Water-borne diseases are sure to spread in these conditions. Unless the junta overturns its decision there will be many more unnecessary deaths. Here again, they are acting inhumanely and irresponsibly. Like in other natural disasters in the world the military could have worked along with volunteer foreign aid workers, and accept their help graciously and with gratitude.
 
Despite the UN’s appeal to the generals to concentrate on helping the victims because time is running out, the junta is adamant to refuse. It shows the generals have no feelings for their own people and care only for themselves and their power, which they will never have it legalised because the “Yes Vote” is not according to the free will of the people.  
 
Let’s hope that the generals have not discouraged and offended the volunteer aid workers. Let’s hope the UN and international governments and communities have now learnt the true mentality of the generals, and will put extra effort to help not only the victims of Cyclone Nargis, but all people of Burma to gain freedom and true democracy.  Many ordinary citizens have been suffering and dying under Burma’s rogue regime for too long. The people of Burma desperately need international governments and communities to help them now.

_{The author is from the former illustrious State of Lawkzawk in the Federated Shan States, as today's Shan State of Burma was known until 1948. Opinions expressed here are those of the author – Editor}

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