we all know that all the ethnic groups have deep concern for equality among races in Myanmar and put forward many demands. They have already made great sacrifices for it. Unfortunately, those demands are repulsed by Myanmar military and they justified their dictatorship on rebuffing those demands. In short, it becomes the root of all troubles.We need some history to see further into this issue. Here is my version.
In the times of feudalism, Kingdoms of Burmese, Mon and Rakhine were strong. Burmese kings were satisfied with token of allegiance from other ethnic groups. Then, British made Myanmar their colony for nearly a century. British were fond of karen and chin races for their faithfulness and courage.
Burmese activists led the revolution for independence against British and Japanese invaders. When they are about to give independence, smart-ass British offered separate independent states to ethnic groups. This offer flared up racism throughout the country. But, General Aung San managed to get consent for a union from progressive ethnic youth by his trustworthiness alone. Unfortunate country lost this leader in a political assassination not yet fully investigated until now. This event opened the Pandora's Box for newly independent state.
Then, young political activists who led the revolution were forced to run a government; a common misfortune to all newly independent countries. All they have learnt so far were cheap and cruel bureaucracy practiced by British in Myanmar colony, underground campaigning from communists and rule by terror from Japanese fascist army.
New idealism and urgency made them include secession right to ethnic groups in new constitution they made. Then, they faced a gargantuan task of running a government plus power struggles within government members, pressure and irresponsible attacks from leftists and demands from ethnic groups with irresponsible help from British sympathizers. The Government did too badly. Their disrespectful attitude towards ethnic groups created resentment, their use of force to quench the political dissenters kindled angrer. Burmese are factional and hot-blooded by nature and all groups started to fight.
This fiasco made ethnic groups disappointed and they tried to rely on their own race and some resorted to old feudal lords, still respected and powerful at that time. Their call for exercising the right of secession was not honored easily. They felt cheated and started armed rebellions. General Ne Win took a hard-ass approach and mounted a military coup. Citizens who were sick of civil war welcomed the coup. Unfortunately, he became over-confident and decided to rule the country by himself. He vouched , with doubtful sincerity to build a socialist country . He offered only the subjugation for ethnic groups fighting for equality. He successfully portrayed the communists as threat to Myanmar Buddhists and federalism as threat to unity , leading to the disintegration of Myanmar. Although passing time has changed everything, both government and ethnic rebels hold on to their old demands.
People uprising in 1988 removed the socialist government. Activists for democracy had no intentions to take power and failed to organize into a strong and united front. Hardliners in deposed government arranged with military leaders to stage a coup telling the uprising was a combined work of CIA and communists ( one of world's most ridiculous excuses ).
The coup was not welcomed but opposed by all Myanmar and military faced difficulty to form an accepted government. The election intended to re-instate old socialist hard-liners into power has chosen the democratic forces. Military government decided to cut allegiance to old socialist bosses and decided to rule the country for themselves. They simply ignored the election results and tried to secure military rule by legitimatizing it in future constitution.
The resolute , trusted-by-all, impossible-to-intimidate Lady became their chief obstacle to success and they tried their best to obliterate her. They offer autonomous regions to small tribes for supporting their future constitution. Bigger ethnic groups demanding equality face sub-division from their existing territory.
The attempt of Gen. Khin Nyunt to secure economic success without much needed political major overhaul was gone with him. Until now , they could not find sincere supporters like old socialists to Gen. Ne Win's government and they are to be satisfied with rogue opportunists as their main supporters.
