Burma’s leaders must cope with protests nonviolently: Asean chief

[Zomi for Federalization and Democratization of Burma]

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No. 1 Electric Power Ministry minister Nga Zaw Min must be removed.
Because of his corruption and his incompetency, there was not enough
electricity for the downtrodden people. He gave electricity to the
Army 24 hours a day, while the people are given electricity about 4
hours a day on the second other day. Farness, justice, impartiality:
these words are not words of describing Nga Zaw Min.
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Burma’s leaders must cope with protests nonviolently: Asean chief

Friday, 25 May 2012 11:22 Mizzima News


The demonstrations and protests going on in Burma are normal for a
democracy, and Burma’s leaders must learn to deal with them in a non-
confrontational manner, the head of Asean said on Thursday.


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Photo:
Asean-chief-Surin-Pitsuwan.jpg

Asean chief Surin Pitsuwan Photo: Asean
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Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan of the Association of South East
Asian Nations (Asean) said it was critical for the authorities not to
use force and violence to suppress the peaceful expression of
citizens’ opinions.

Peaceful demonstrations over the lack of electricity have taken place
in Rangoon, Mandalay and several other towns in Burma this week. After
tolerating the protests for days, police broke up a crowd in the town
of Pyi and several members of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu
Kyi's opposition party were detained for questioning and released in
Mandalay on Thursday.

“If a country or society aspires to be open to democracy, it has to be
prepared to deal with popular participation, pressure, demand,
conflicts, tension, in some cases violence,” Surin was quoted as
sahying by Reuters news group. “But a country or a government will
need to deal with it.”

Burma’s military, which ruled for nearly 50 years following a 1962
coup, ruthlessly crushed public demonstrations in the past. The
current demonstrations are seen as a real test of the government’s
commitment to democratic reforms. Violent repression could cause a
backlash from democratic counties that are reengaging with the current
government and suspending or lifting economic sanctions.

Surin said Asean was ready to help Burma cope with pressures in case
of shortages of necessities such as water, food, or transportation,
drawing on many members’ experiences.

Supplying electricity to the 60-million population is just one of the
challenges facing one of the poorest members of the 10-nation Asean
bloc. It’s estimated that one in four of Burma’s citizens have access
to electricity. Protest organizers have questioned Burma’s policy of
selling electricity to China when its own citizens must often exist
with only six hours of electricity a day and regular rolling
blackouts.

Last Updated ( Friday, 25 May 2012 17:49 )


http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7185-burmas-leaders-must-cope-with-protests-nonviolently-asean-chief.html

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