Democracy, reconciliation 'beyond reach': Myanmar

The article in the New Light of Myanmar, published in the midst of a series criticising Aung San Suu Kyi for her role in events leading up to her May 30 detention, claims the junta pushed for democratic change in recent years.

"The question now arises as to why national reconciliation and harmony between the present government and (opposition) National League for Democracy (NLD) has not yet been realised," article author Kyaw Myint Naing wrote.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

"This is in fact due to the misconception that only when an authoritarian system has been eliminated can democracy prevail," he wrote, before launching into a stinging broadside against democracy activists.

"They accuse the government of violating human rights and suppressing democracy and make the government appear to be a dictatorship. And then they try to convince others that they are fighting for democracy.

"Consequently, no matter the numbers of UN envoys who come to discuss and mediate ways and means for a peaceful transition and national reconciliation and harmony, these goals still remain far away beyond reach."

United Nations envoy Razali Ismail brokered landmark secret talks between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi in October 2000 aimed at shifting the country to democracy. They have now collapsed.

Razali met the charismatic Aung San Suu Kyi on June 10 during his tenth mission to the country and remains the only outsider to have seen her.

He is expected to report to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan on his latest visit before the end of July.

The leader was placed under "protective custody" following attacks on her convoy by a junta-backed mob during a political tour in northern Myanmar that according to eyewitnesses left dozens dead.

Since then, NLD offices nationwide have been shuttered, the senior NLD leadership in Yangon has been placed under house arrest and an unknown number of members have been arrested.

Although the junta said it was a temporary measure, it has given no indication of when Aung San Suu Kyi might be released despite intense international calls for her freedom.

After a spell at Yangon's notoriously tough Insein prison, she is now being held at an undisclosed location.

Her NLD party won 1990 national elections by a landslide but has never been permitted to rule.