"Opposition Leader Meets Burmese Official"

By: Seth Mydans
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/world/asia/26myanmar.html?ei=5087&em=&en=d5

On Thursday a special "minister of relations" met with long time opposition leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar following increased pressure from the international community. Suu Kyi has been held under house arrest for the past twelve years for her advocation of democracy in Myanmar, which has been under military control for the past two decades. U.N. envoy, Ibrahim Gambari urged Burmese officials to take this step since the government continues to face economic sanctions and criticism for its suppression of a large anti-governmental demonstration "led by tens of thousands of Buddhist monks" (Mydans). While the government claims that only ten people died from the crackdown, other sources inside say that the numbers were much higher. Not only is the government suppressing peaceful demonstrations, but "the military is also continuing a campaign of intimidation and arrests and appears to have rounded up most of the leaders of these demonstrations" (Mydans). Shortly following Gambari's suggestions, the junta's leader, Senior General Than Shwe, said he would meet with Aung San Suu Kyi personally. However, many speculate as to his sincerity, since he was quoted following that statement that she should "stop advocating economic sanctions and abandon what he called her backing for ' "confrontation" ' and ' "utter devastation" ' (Mydans).

It sounds to me like the military government of Myanmar is simply looking to "placate" the international community, as the article suggests. A government that has recently stifled a peaceful demonstration by killing "ten people" (more accurately hundreds if not thousands) cannot have any intention of cooperating with a woman who seeks to throw them out of power. The Senior General's own comments relay that message quite clearly. Although I do have hope that the UN and other international organizations will help Myanmar become free of its oppressive government, the military officials are not going to simply lay down their arms and allow it to become an open, democratic state. The show that was put on in Burma does not appear to have fooled anyone.