Democracy News

Aung San Suu Kyi's Cautious Optimism for the Future of Burma
October 25, 2011
By: Mark Hsen | Printer Friendly

On September 21, Charlie Rose moderated a discussion between Burma's pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  Hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative, the conversation featured a live, remote broadcast with Suu Kyi in Burma.

Suu Kyi is the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy.  While her party overwhelmingly won the 1990 Burmese elections, which would have allowed 82 percent of the parliamentary seats, the military denied the results of the poll and remained in power.  Suu Kyi has been kept under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years.  In November 2010, she was finally released, yet remains under heavy surveillance.

Suu Kyi discussed her struggle and sacrifice in the battle for human rights, democratic governance, and reconciliation in Burma.  Since 1989, when she was first placed under house arrest, she was only able to see her husband, Michael Aris, five times.  The last time she saw him was in 1995, before his death in 1999 due to prostate cancer.  She has only recently been able to reunite with her children, and has grandchildren she has never met.  Despite her sacrifice, Suu Kyi remains dedicated to the pro-democracy movement.  She relies on the "freedom from fear," the necessity of overcoming personal fear to endure the life she has lived.

In the interview, Suu Kyi expressed her cautious optimism for the future of Burma.  While she acknowledged that the reconciliation process was complicated and difficult, she affirmed her belief that full democracy in Burma would eventually be achieved.  Burma's new nominally civilian government exhibits significant military control, however recent events have encouraged hope for reform.  Earlier this month, the Burmese government released approximately 200 political prisoners as part of general amnesty.  While 2000 political prisoners, including journalists, pro-democracy activists, and ethnic opposition members, remain detained, the release was a welcome step.  The Financial Times reports that media censors have been relaxed to allow debates and interviews with political dissidents.  Some international journalists have been allowed entry into Burma and political exiles have been invited to return. 

Suu Kyi has also begun to engage in dialogue with the government, meeting with President Thein Sein in August.  After the meeting, she told diplomats that she believed the president was sincere in his desire for reform.  While still cautious, Suu Kyi felt that these steps were "a beginning."

This transition may prove to be a necessary step to revitalizing foreign investment and economic development.  Due to its previous repression and pariah status, many international corporations avoided doing business in Burma.  As reported by the Financial Times, the business climate has also been "far from congenial."  Burma has multiple exchange rates for the local currency, with a black market rate 200 times weaker than the official level.  Imports and exports required high-level approval.  Successful businesses also faced the threat of expropriation by the government. 

In addition to the political reforms, the government is now moving towards economic reform to improve the investment climate.  The Financial Times reports that the 10 percent export tax has been cut to zero for most goods, and 2 percent for most others.  Approval for exports is now mostly automatic.  The government is also moving towards more market-based exchange rates.  Economic experts have been allowed to advise government officials, with former UN economist U Myint as President Thein Sein's most senior economic adviser.

However, despite these improvements, Suu Kyi emphasized that much work remains to be done in Burma.  Burma has a history of false hopes with promised reforms that ultimately fail.  Suu Kyi was previously released in 2002, but a year later, she was attacked by regime thugs and placed back under military custody.  Suu Kyi encouraged the international community to aid in the democracy process through awareness and continual support. 

In order to encourage the continuing transition, there must be a balance between maintaining pressure and pushing for further changes.  Some groups are not fully convinced in the sincerity of reforms, and believe the government is merely seeking the removal of sanctions.  However, Financial Times reports that the ruling elite is disappointed with Burma's performance in relation to its neighbors and concerned with China's growing influence.  While outsiders remain skeptical, the Burmese people are hopeful and optimistic. 

Suu Kyi highlighted the universality of democracy and paralleled her struggle with the Arab Spring.  She commented that while democracy may be a Western word, the concepts of freedom and security are universally accepted by all human beings.  The discussion concluded with a brief appearance by former President Bill Clinton.  Both Clinton and Tutu thanked Suu Kyi for her dedication and offered hope that they would be present at her inauguration as head of government in Burma

To watch the discussion, please see:
Charlie Rose - "Aung San Suu Kyi & Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu"

For previous news on Burma, please see: 
Burma Establishes National Human Rights Commission, International Observers Remain Skeptical

Sources:
Financial Times – Burma: At Freedom's Gate

BBC News – Burma frees dozens of political prisoners

BBC News – Aung San Suu Kyi cautious on Burma reform