By Yuli Ismartono
Four years ago, the world watched in horror as a popular uprising against 25 years of military dictatorship in Burma was mercilessly crushed, leaving hundreds dead and wounded and thousands fleeing to neighbouring Thailand.
Today, despite promises of democracy and economic liberalisation, the generals who formed the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) show no signs of relinquishing their power.
"For the immediate present, we just have to keep the country in our charge because of political and security reasons", SLORC chairman General Than Shwe told a recent meeting of regional leaders.
Western donors cut off aid and trade ties after the tragic events of September 18, 1988. SLORC tried to improve its international image by promising multiparty elections and a return to civilian rule.
Burma had been ruled by General Ne Win, who came to power in 1964 after ousting the civilian government of Prime Minister U Nu. He embarked on the disastrous "Burmese road to socialism" and allowed only the Burmese Socialist Program Party to function.
Endowed with rich natural resources and once known as Asia's rice bowl, Burma gradually slid back into the United Nations' category of least developed countries, needing assistance for its most basic needs.
It gave up its membership of the United Nations and the Non- Aligned Movement. During the two decades under Ne Win's iron rule, Burma regressed socially and economically.
In 1988, with food and fuel shortages worsening, students staged protests in Rangoon, supported by monks and civil servants. In the aftermath of the bloody crackdown, a seemingly chastened SLORC promised changes.
But when the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections, SLORC refused to hand over power. Instead, the army cracked down on pro-democracy dissidents, jailing them without trial.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD leader and daughter of national hero General Aung San, has been under house arrest since July
1989. Until a few months ago, she was held incommunicado from family and friends and was unable to accept the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to her last year.
The military escalated its campaign to crush insurgent groups at the border areas, buying US$1 billion worth of arms from China, its biggest ally.
Press freedom was curtailed, and public gatherings of more than five people were banned.
In April, the pro-democracy movement in exile, comprising student groups, NLD officials and other dissidents, were cautiously heartened when Tan Shwe replaced General Saw Maung, reportedly Ne Win's agent.
Tan Shwe freed more than 400 political prisoners and initiated the government's first face-to-face meeting with opposition leaders since the 1990 elections.
They discussed organising a convention to rewrite Burma's constitution, and SLORC again promised elections after that.
The military campaign against the insurgents was halted, and SLORC asked them to surrender and rejoin Burmese society. Universities in Rangoon and Mandalay were reopened after being shut down for over a year.
Although press freedom and public gatherings remained restricted, SLORC lifted the all-night curfew which had been in effect since 1988.
In the international arena, Burma rejoined the Non-Aligned Movement at its 10th summit in Jakarta early this month.
But Tan Shwe's recent avowal of the need for the military to remain in power dashed hopes for changes in the country.
"Hostile elements both inside and outside the country have been creating difficulties for us, exerting military and economic pressures on us, and inciting ethnic minority races against us", explained Tan Shwe.
Burmese dissident groups in Thailand are not giving up. "We will continue our struggle against tyranny", said a member of the All-Students Democratic Front in Bangkok.
They have gained support from a newly launched underground radio station. Run by dissident groups from faraway Norway, the Voice of Burma began clandestine short-wave broadcasts into Burma in
July.
[Inter Press Service/Pegasus.]