I welcome Ibrahim Gambari's efforts to help Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, toward democracy ("A crack in the Burmese door," Views, June 22), but he needs to understand the mind-set of the Burmese generals.
Gambari's predecessor as the special UN envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, came to be used as a mouthpiece for the Burmese regime. Before each of Razali's visits to Myanmar, the regime released 10 to 20 political prisoners. Razali praised the releases as positive steps and hinted that there would be dialogue between the regime and the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, but it never occurred.
As the regime's tactics became obvious, Burmese observers, and then the United States, criticized Razali for being naïve. Razali was obliged to pressure the regime for real change, and the regime stopped allowing him to visit.
Similarly, Gambari thought that the generals had a will for change because they released Su Su Nway, an activist who had revealed the practice of forced labor in Myanmar.
Gambari also said that the regime and the National League for Democracy had a similar desire that the United Nations act as an impartial third party to find common ground between them.
But despite positive hints by the Burmese ruler, General Than Shwe, after Gambari's visit the regime extended the house arrest of the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, for another year.
As Gambari said, the diplomatic option is not working in Myanmar. If the regime refuses to change the status quo, UN intervention is the option that we need to use. Why try for another 10 years without progress?
Htun Aung Gyaw
Chicago President
Civil Society for Burma