CHAPTER 4: CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONFLICTS

The conflicts have turned the country, which was once known to be one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia , into one of the poorest countries of the world. Burma was once known as the rice bowl of the Southeast Asian Nations before the military seized power. I will broadly elaborate the consequences of the conflicts under three main categories – socio-political, economic and education.

Socio-Political

The consequences in the socio-political areas are one of the serious ones. The political situation of the country is in chaos with no definite pattern. The worst form of government has affected the lives of about 50 million people. Due to the Burmese military policy of chauvinism, many underground groups have revolted against the brutal military regime. The political leadership of the country has deprived the fundamental rights of the people. The commoners are politically suppressed so that whoever raises a voice against the military regime is in trouble. As a result of the conflicts, thousands of pints of blood have been shed, and lives have been lost. The number of internally displaced persons and exodus of refugees is steadily rising year after year. Neighboring countries like India and China are taking advantage of the situation and are now trying to make their strong bases in the country by working together with the military junta. As indicated by the Human Rights Yearbook 2002-03, there are approximately 300,000 refugees in Thailand , 12,000 in China and India , and 20,000 in Bangladesh . Due to the continuous inflow of refugees, the number of refugees is said to be very much higher than the official record published in this Human Rights Year Book.

One very shocking news is that there are hundreds of people who are disabled or crippled by the landmines planted by the Burmese soldiers in ethnic minority war-torn areas. Many of ethnic minority-inhabited areas are filled with bombs and mines so that living in these areas are very risky. The landmines are planted by the regime’s forces in their battle against the ethnic insurgent groups. It is very sad to see that forcibly recruited soldiers from the ethnic minority groups are placed in the front lines whenever the army is in gun battle with the insurgents. This clearly indicates racial discrimination practiced by the military junta.

In a significant development in August 30, 2003 , the newly sworn-in Prime Minister, General Khin Kyunt, presented the military regime's seven steps "democracy road map." The speech was its first time on policy matters given at Parliament building, and was addressed to military junta's cabinet ministers, military commanders, and organizations under the regime's command. The seven steps include; reconvening of the National Convention(NC) that has been adjourned since 1996, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic system, drafting of a new constitution (based on NC), adoption of the constitution through national referendum, holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (legislative bodies) according to the new constitution, convening of Hluttaws, and government and other central organs formed by the Hluttaw.

The plan was denounced by many opposition parties terming that it is an idea of legitimizing the junta and an attempt to prolonging the regime. "It is nothing more than a political ploy to ease mounting international pressure and prolong military rule," said the August 31, 2003 Press Release of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), the Burmese exile government. Meanwhile, diplomats and observers in Rangoon have also said that the general is just making the old idea new. Prime Minister of the exile government Dr Sein Win said, "We cannot accept any political process which excludes the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD. A common course of action has to be sought through a tripartite dialogue. SPDC has neither the legitimacy nor the support of the people to dictate or impose a political process, particularly on a political party like the NLD which has the mandate of the people through the 1990 elections.” It may be noted that the NLD secured 392 seats out of 485 total parliamentary seats in the 1990 elections. The government of Burma ’s proposed seven-steps road map to democracy does not include the opinions expressed by several parties in the country and has not shown that the process will be participatory and transparent, the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a human rights report. So far, this road map seems to be unwelcome to many opposition groups, including ethnic party such as the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), which won 23 seats (the second largest parliamentary seats).

Economics

The economic situation of the country has been deteriorating since the military took over the country’s administration in 1962 military coup. As the country’s resources are diverted to the pockets of a few top army generals, the country is now facing severe economic crisis. The inflation rate is rapidly soaring. About two-thirds of the country’s revenue is spent on military purposes, which in turn has immensely increased the economic hardships of the people. In the meantime, the prices of all essential commodities are rising rapidly, although the daily wages and salaries of the government employees remain very low. This unbalanced income and expenditure has forced almost every government servant to a life of corruption. We could not simply blame the government employees for taking bribes and other donations. It is the circumstances that compel them to do so for their survival.

Besides its domestic hardships, economic sanction is imposed by most wealthy nations, and, therefore, no major investments or any financial and other assistance is flowing into Burma . This adds to the woes of the country’s economic hardships. The country’s natural resources are exploited by the military regime. Burma ’s neighboring countries, China and India , are taking advantage of the economic crisis by sending their businessmen and women to extract the wealth of Burma . The country’s economy is now indirectly controlled by China and other neighboring Asian countries. If there is no economic revolution or economic policy changes in the near future, Burma could be facing disastrous economic depression.

Education

The conflicts in Burma do not have an impact only on the socio-political and economic, but also on the education system of the country. Today, Burma has one of the lowest standards of education system. Quality education is very less to be seen. It is important to remember that most of the educated youths had left the country during and after the political crisis in the country, particularly after the 8888 democracy uprising. Not only students, but skilled professionals and many other scholars of the country have been leaving the country because of the overall deteriorating situation of the country. They are looking for better jobs and better environment where they can peacefully utilize their knowledge for living.

In the absence of young and capable educationists, the quality of education in Burma has been diminishing. For example, there have been frequent closing down of educational institutions throughout the country. As universities and other educational institutions were the centers of democracy uprisings, the military regime would close any institutions at any time when they see any impending dangers. This frequent closing down of educational institutions has brought great impacts on the lives of millions of students. At times, many students who are frustrated with these maneuvers would permanently give up their studies.

Proper and quality education could only be established if the government gives importance to education. The present military regime, always keeping busy with arms and ammunitions in order to consolidate their positions, has no enough time and infrastructures for the improvement of education system in the country. In order to redress the overall situation of the country, the country needs a government which supports and participates for the promotion of the country’s welfare.

to be continued.....

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