Burma’s Potemkin Village

As expected, detained Nobel Peace laureate and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was taken out of her house and met “liaison minister” Aung Kyi. The meeting was a front page story in state-run newspapers.

The nature of their talks remains unknown, but the meeting lasted for more than one hour.

Aung Kyi, a retired major general, was appointed “liaison minister” on October 8, the first time such a position had been created to handle contacts between Suu Kyi and the regime leaders.

Suu Kyi, in fact, met Snr-Gen Than Shwe in 1994 and again about seven years ago. In 2003, Suu Kyi’s convoy and supporters were violently attacked by thugs instructed by Than Shwe.

Than Shwe is said to hold a grudge against Suu Kyi, and he recently asked her to drop what he called her confrontational attitude and her support of sanctions against Burma.

What was interesting, though, was the video footage of the meeting between Aung Kyi and Suu Kyi, carried on state TV. Suu Kyi gave a pensive and worn-out impression, but her captor looked normal and attentively engaged the camera. A staged drama? Perhaps. 

Since the first meeting in 1994, the regime has released photographs and video footage of meetings between Suu Kyi and generals, but there has never been any accompanying sound.  The images raised false hopes and speculation among critics and apologists alike–but we all realized that was part of the game.

No one knows exactly what transpired at these meetings.

Now, faced with international condemnation and fresh sanctions, the regime leaders clearly thought it was time to step up its diplomatic offensive.

After its brutal crackdown on street demonstrations, the regime announced a cabinet reshuffle this week.

Lt-Gen Thein Sein officially became prime minister and Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, a known hardliner and battle-hardened general, is now Secretary one.

The hands of Than Shwe, the former psychological warfare officer, can be seen in this reshuffle, and his intention to consolidate his power and tighten his rule is obvious.

He is not giving up, and is as determined as ever to launch domestic and international diplomatic offensives from his dusty Naypyidaw. With the release of film material on the meeting between Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi, Than Shwe might be trying to buy more time and more breathing space. He wants his allies and friends to welcome the meeting and issue encouraging statements.

With UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari about to undertake another visit to Burma, the regime’s paramount leader is definitely scheming to counter international criticism and perhaps divide the pressure groups and diplomatic campaigns by governments in the region.

When Gambari visits Burma next month, we will again see photographs and video footage of Suu Kyi standing alongside the Nigerian diplomat. How many times have we seen it before?

So, as a journalist who witnessed this stage drama many times in the past, I remain cautious in my judgment of the recent meeting, which was really just window dressing. Only when Suu Kyi is released and allowed to conduct substantive political dialogue will we see concrete results.

The news from Burma, meanwhile, is rosy—at least, in Friday’s state mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar.

Than Shwe has sent a message of felicitations to his Excellency Dr Heinz Fischer, Austrian President, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Austria. Mass rallies supporting the national convention and constitution were held in Rangoon, and a Naypyidaw regional commander, Maj Gen Wai Lin, enjoyed a performing arts contest. People in Pegu, Sagaing Divisions, and in Shan State organized processions to denounce the recent demonstrations.

Everything is carefully orchestrated, but there’s not much substance.