Q: I am from Canada. I am seeing and hearing that whenever the United Nations discusses and passes resolutions with regard to Burma issues, it is ineffective, weak with no binding authority. It has been like that for many years. For that matter, quite recently United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon commented positively with regard to the new Burmese government. That kind of an attitude has an adverse affect on all of the people of Burma. That is why I would like to know how and what could be done to have effective implementation of the resolutions of the UN. At the same time I would like to ask: At this moment, the international community is keeping a close watch on Burma. They are giving special attention to what is happening with regard to Burma. As such, how would you respond to what the leaders of the international community are saying?
A: It is true that there is not enough of a consensus at the United Nations because it is an organization of many countries. Although the General Assembly has passed resolutions with regard to our country, it is quite unsatisfactory that those resolutions have not been implemented in an effective manner. I think that if a responsible person is appointed full-time to properly monitor Burma affairs in depth, then the Secretary General will be apprised of the exact situation in Burma. That is why I am hoping that such a full-time person will be appointed as soon as possible. It is good that the international community is carefully monitoring the situation in Burma. But they should not just monitor the situation, but they also need to take appropriate action.
Q: I was a member of the NLD (Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy) from Mingladon Township. A group of people from the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB – an umbrella political group) issued a statement in the New Year of 2009 saying that a National Unity Government (NUG) has been formed. However, due to criticisms from all over, it was abolished. And now they have again formed the Federal Union Peoples’ Parliament. The group of people from the NCUB claims that this formation has your endorsement, Dawn Aung San Suu Kyi. A number of people from abroad together with me would like to know whether you have endorsed this formation of the Peoples’ Parliament or not.
A: I have only heard about the formation of this Federal Union Peoples’ Parliament from the radio news. It does not matter who endorses it or who does not endorse it; the important thing is the implementation of activities that will create a stronger sense of unity amongst the people. It is not unusual to have different points of view within the democracy groups abroad, but it would be best if we work together through in-depth discussions amongst the people with a sense of unity so that there will be no disagreements.
Q: I am from San Francisco. I did not understand the concept of the young peoples’ network, so after some thoughts I came to the understanding that it represents groups of people with common interests and aspirations connecting with one another within the confines of the law, demanding and fighting for the right to freedom, the right to invent and the right to develop. It is my understanding that only you can fight for your own rights and that no one else can do it for you. If you would like to add to that please do so, Mother Suu.
A: I like your view and understanding of the network very much, my son. Both issues that you have talked about are connected. Only if we have a strong and sturdy peoples’ network will we be able to prevent the use of power to impinge upon the rights of the people. Achieving democracy is not an end in itself. We must continue on to preserve it and keep it alive. That is why it is important that we must use the power of the people to keep governments in check when required to do so.
Q: I live in Japan. The revolutionary movement against the dictators and change that is happening in the Arab world started from Tunisia then Egypt and now Libya. So, how do you Dawn Aung San Suu Kyi, view such a change? I would also like to know how far this could impact across the world.
A: The events that recently occurred and those that are happening now in the Middle East clearly show that human beings by nature detest systems that use power to suppress the people. Although we cannot know to what extent the events in the Middle East will spread across the world, we can however assume that the desire for freedom and justice is spreading all over the world.
Q: I am working in Singapore. One thing that I would like to know is about the fact that in Burma we do not have a computer system like a Burmese Windows system in the Burmese language as yet. This is because, included in the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, this technology is one of those that has been completely blocked from being transferred to Burma. Therefore, Burma is lagging way behind in the Internet technology revolution that is occurring all over the world because the Burmese do not have such a computer system. As such what I would like to ask of you is to resolve this matter. And my second point is: It seems that our country is able to export our natural resources only as raw materials and not as finished goods. We do not have the ability to maintain a storage system and because of American sanctions, we cannot convert our valuable resources into finished goods. Consequently, our young people are deprived of and losing out on getting related jobs. I would like you to consider and give an assessment of this matter.
A: I think that your assessment of the matter is not entirely complete. We must consider whether it is because of a lack of a Burmese computer system or because of the restrictions imposed by the authorities inside the country that the Burmese people are lagging behind in the Internet revolution. As for oil and natural gas, instead of looking at the loss of job opportunities because we are not getting technology due to American sanctions, it would be wrong not to look at how much of the income that has been generated by the sale of our valuable oil and gas has been used in the interest of the people.
