For a nation that called proudly as one of the best in Asia with relatively prosperous society in the past, now Burma is the deseparate poor country of 52 million people with economy in shambles and human rights in the dismal record.
According to ADB findings,it is estimated that 11.7 million people in Burma who did not have the means to support their basic subsistence.And in 1999, the official estimate of life expectancy for urban males was 61 years. In 1997, the incidence of malnutrition in children under five years of age was reported to be 31 percent and the under five mortality rate was 77.77 per 1,000 live births.
Inflation rate is in vertigiously upward spiral and the Kyat has dropped to a record low. People from all walks of life are found themselves robbed of their savings day after day.
In politics, the promise of which transfer of power until the constitution was written and approved, is already overdue. Even though it has been said for 14 years, regretabbly, Junta is still claiming that these political transformation is necessary to take time.
Asean countries has suffered from the illusion that the constructive engagement is successfully working. They tend to forget the fact that Daw Aung san Suu Kyi and her NLD party won the lanslide victory in free and fair election which was held in 1990 and had never been recognized by the military Junta for apparently no reason.
But none of them can deny that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the only political figure, enjoying huge popular support, and has the moral and political mandate and rest of the world are willing to follow her judgement over Burma.
Anyway, there is little doubt that the reconcilation process is back on the track with the democratic forces in order to pave the way for the smooth transition to civilian rule.
In fact, to the contrary to public opinion, military government intended to showcase it to prove themselves as they are serious about what they said and also to gain international recognition with the instant flow of foreign aid and investment, tourism, etc.Anyway, it is the welcome departure from the junta's vehement opposition to such talks before.
The Junta also should have realized quite long ago that there will be few investors who is willing to pump in the huge capital to such a moribond economy at the moment of which Burma, lack of good governance, is sitting on the powder keg that can be exploded at any time. On the other hand, Junta is still putting the relentless effort to muzzle any sprout of dissidents.
Undeniably,recent arrest of students and many imprisoned, betrayed the fact.They are also somewhat yearning the prospects for deeper engagement with U.S on the pretext of Al-Quaeda terrorism link with Rohinja muslim rebels operating in Western border area, which a few Burmese watcher will ever believe it.
Now it is time to forget the sophistry and agitprop rhetoric of this kind insulting the intelligence of world community.They still have time to wriggle out of present dilemma by reintroducing the national reconcilation process in time that can be averted the imminent massive social unrest accompanied by economic turmoil.
No mere talks.For that purpose, Junta have the daunting tasks ahead: it is to hold the genuine roundtable talks with the democratic forces and ethinic leaders in the sense of reconstruction of nation as to salvage the badly ruined economy and to create the atmosphere conducive to restore the democratic government.Afterthat national coalition government shall be formed with all parties concerned for the transitional period.
Political stability will ensue and the constitution imbued with political pluralism will be drafted, surely, with the clause of immunity against the unwarranted legal action.Upon the restructuring of economy, all the sanctions lifted and international aid will certainly be pouring into the country and consolidate them to upgrade for the investment-friendly infrastructure.
Once the country reach the state of stability in all sense, the true and fair multiparty election shall be held under the independent commission, monitored by the international organisations,and subsequently, handover the power in good faith to the winning party followed by the military rolling back their active role from politics.
It is again shown the true self of the military in safeguarding the country from leading to the calamity. Forever this noble deed shall be engraved to the hearts of the people who wish to see the country growing prosperous.