Ludu Sein Win, a veteran Burmese journalist and lifelong observer of the world political scene, spoke to The Irrawaddy recently about his views on US President Barack Obama. The former political prisoner, who has been a critic of Burma’s authoritarian rulers since the socialist era of late dictator Ne Win, cautioned against expecting too much from Obama, and reiterated his long-held view that Burmese shouldn’t rely on foreign leaders to break their country’s political deadlock.

Ludu Sein Win (Photo: Jennifer Hsu)

Question: As a Burmese journalist, what do you think of US President Barack Obama?

Answer: I’m a journalist who has long been standing and writing on the side of the underdog. Particularly, I have firmly supported the long struggle of black Americans. I have even published a book entitled “White and Black.” I always stand on the side of the downtrodden.

Generally, I support Obama. He is intelligent. It is only due to his great qualities that he, an ordinary person, was elected to the highest position in a country where white people are dominant. I congratulate and respect him.

But US policies are formulated neither by American presidents nor by the brightest Americans. They are formulated by bankers, financial brokers from Wall Street, weapons merchants and oil mega-corporations.

I don’t think Obama can do much to change American policies, no matter how smart he is. Henry Kissinger was also very intelligent. Condoleeza Rice is a smart woman, as well. But their skills faded away under the influence of the profit-oriented mega-corporations.

I don’t expect much [from Obama]. There may be some minor changes, but I don’t think there will be any major changes in US policies.

Obama said that he would send more troops to Afghanistan. In fact, Afghanistan is a land of revolutionary warriors who are so skilful in fighting that they were able to successfully defeat the English imperialists, as well as the former Soviet Union. I just want to warn Obama that if the Americans increase their troops in Afghanistan, they, like the Russians, will be defeated eventually.

Q: On the Burma issue, do you expect anything from Obama?

A: I don’t expect much from him. George W Bush and his wife were good at paying lip service [to the pro-democracy movement in Burma] throughout his presidency, but they didn’t do anything in practice, nor did they wish to.

Due to the big interest and influence of the international oil corporations such as Total and Premier, Obama can also do no more than pay lip service to Burma during his presidency.

I have often said before that we can’t rely on other people. We must do it by ourselves if we want [democracy]. Now, I want to say it again: Don’t rely on either Obama or [UN Secretary-General] Ban Ki-moon.

Q: Does this mean that the US sanctions on Burma are useless or ineffective?

A: Yes, they are ineffective. The sanctions may have some minor impact [on the regime]. In history, there has been no example of sanctions toppling a government, but it is partially useful in some aspects. I don’t say they are useless. But the Burmese people shouldn’t rely on this option. We need to use other alternatives and all available means.

Q: What way would you suggest?

A: I often said that we can’t rest on the UN, the US or anybody but our own people. The September Buddhist monk-led demonstrations have already proved that the Burmese people have a lot of political awareness. The Burmese people are neither cowards nor naive. Again, I want to urge you to believe in the strength of the people and to rely on the people.

Q: In the current situation, the Burmese people have no choice but to cast their votes in the 2010 election. What would you like to say on that matter?

A: We have often had such experiences in the past. In 1974, we experienced a constitutional referendum as well as several elections. The oncoming election won’t be different from the one in 1974.