Democracy in Myanmar

2010/11/19
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 18
EDITORIAL: Democracy in Myanmar
スー・チーさん―対話こそが民主化の一歩

Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratization movement in Myanmar (Burma), urged pro-democracy forces to unite and called on the military government to agree to dialogue.
　ミャンマー（ビルマ）の民主化運動指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんは、民主化勢力に団結を、軍事政権には対話を呼びかけた。

Having been released from house arrest on Nov. 13, she delivered a speech before the public for the first time in seven and a half years. Including her previous time in captivity, Suu Kyi has been deprived of freedom for 15 years without a valid reason.
　１３日に自宅軟禁から解放され、７年半ぶりの演説である。それ以前を含めると、不当に自由を奪われていた時間は計１５年に及ぶ。

From now on, the junta must guarantee her freedom of political activities and speech.
　軍政は今後、彼女の政治活動や言論の自由を保障しなければならない。

Tens of thousands of people are said to have cried for joy in response to the speech she delivered the day after her release. Suu Kyi remains a star of hope to people calling for democracy and freedom.
　解放翌日の演説には数万人の群衆が歓喜の声を上げたという。スー・チーさんは、民主化と自由を求める人々の希望の星であり続けている。

The junta set the date for her release from house arrest immediately after the country's first general election in 20 years. It shows that the junta is still afraid of Suu Kyi's popularity that is deeply rooted among the public.
　軍政は軟禁解除の期限を、２０年ぶりの総選挙を終えた直後に設定した。国民の間に根強い彼女の人気をどれだけ恐れていたか、の証しでもある。

In the general election, which was neither free nor fair, a political party supporting the military won nearly 80 percent of the seats. In addition, since a quarter of the seats are allocated to military appointees, the new parliament is dominated by an absolute majority of members affiliated with the military.
　自由でも公正でもなかった総選挙で軍の翼賛政党は８割近い議席を得たという。そのほかに軍が議席の４分の１を指名するので、新国会は軍政系の議員が絶対多数を握る。

The National League for Democracy (NLD), which scored an overwhelming victory in the last general election, refused to take part in the election this time and was dissolved. NLD leader Suu Kyi called for a boycott of the election. As a result, a new party formed by some former NLD members could only win a small number of seats.
　前回の選挙で圧勝した国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）は今回の選挙に参加することを拒み、解党となった。そのリーダーであるスー・チーさんはボイコットを呼びかけ、ＮＬＤの一部メンバーの結成した新党がわずかな議席しかとれない結果にもつながった。

Some critics say that even if the system was unfair, the NLD should have entered the election to gain seats and voice its opinion in parliament. However, until now, NLD executives have aged and the organization has split and grown weaker.
　選挙への不参加について「不公平な制度であっても、議席を得て国会で主張するべきだった」との批判が一部にある。この間、ＮＬＤ幹部らは高齢化し、組織も分裂、弱体化した。

We can understand Suu Kyi's position not to recognize the election, given that the junta arbitrarily overturned the results of the previous election and continued to deprive her of freedom.
　前回選挙の結果を一方的に覆され、自由を奪われ続けた経緯を振り返れば、今回の選挙を認めるわけにいかない彼女の思いは理解できる。

From now on, as Suu Kyi said in her first speech after her release, an effort must be made to rebuild and bring together pro-democracy forces that were divided by the military regime.
　今後は、スー・チーさんが「第一声」で語ったように、軍政に分断された民主化勢力の立て直しと亀裂の修復に力を注がなければならない。

The opposition says there were many irregularities in the election. If the circle of support for Suu Kyi spreads, some observers say the junta will likely crack down on the "illegal" political activities of the dissolved NLD. That is outrageous.
　野党側は今回の選挙で多数の不正があったと訴えている。スー・チーさんへの支援の輪が広がれば、軍政は、解党後のＮＬＤの政治活動を「違法」として取り締まりに乗り出すとの観測もあるが、とんでもないことだ。

Parliament will convene early next year. With the start of a new government, the junta is set to declare the completion of democratization.
　来年早々国会が招集される。新たな政府の始動をもって、軍政は民主化が完成したと宣言する段取りだ。

The way to govern the nation is about to change although it may not be sufficient. Depending on the new government's attitude, it may be a good opportunity for reconciliation both at home and abroad.
　曲がりなりにも統治の形態が変わるタイミングだ。新政府の姿勢次第では国内外での和解の好機にもなる。

First, the new president must engage in direct dialogue with Suu Kyi. Without her, there can be no reconciliation or democratization. Furthermore, the more than 2,000 political prisoners must also be released without delay. Doing so would open up the possibility of moving a step toward true democracy.
　新大統領はまずスー・チーさんとの直接対話を始めることだ。彼女抜きでは和解も民主化もあり得ない。さらに２千人を超す政治犯もただちに解放する。そうすれば真の民主化へ一歩を踏み出す可能性がでてくる。

China has been serving as a breakwater for international public opinion that criticizes the junta. Japan should talk with China, India and neighboring countries and call on them to persistently urge Myanmar to shift gears toward the realization of true democracy.
　日本は、軍政を非難する国際世論の防波堤となってきた中国をはじめ、インドや近隣国と話し合い、新政府が真の民主化へ向けてかじを切るよう、粘り強く働きかける道を探るべきだ。