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(Commentary) – Suu Kyi's recent US trip was a huge win for her as well as a very crucial loss.
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| Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi takes a question from a university audience in Kentucky during her US tour. Looking on is US Sen. Mitch McConnell. Photo:University of Louisville |
The big win was the outpouring of accolades, tributes and adulation from
the UN, Americans all over the nation and by the Burmese diaspora. She
reaped tributes for all her sacrifices and steadfast defense of freedom
for all Burmese, and she deserves it all without a doubt.
Her loss is Khun Htun Oo, the Kachins and the ethnic groups and their regard for her. This is much much more crucial.
Khun Htun Oo is a big voice. She was compelled to answer Khun Htun Oo and her ethnic brethren’s' criticism from the podiums of the US. That should not have been the case. Her reasons for not criticizing the government on ethnic issues should have been communicated to Khun and the rest of the ethnic and democratic leaders way before the misunderstanding arose, by networking actively and making known to them her strategy in reconciliation with the president.
Her reasoning was that the NLD is not the government therefore she did not want to take sides. Taking a side could be like a genie, once let out it could be hard to take back.
Her loss is Khun Htun Oo, the Kachins and the ethnic groups and their regard for her. This is much much more crucial.
Khun Htun Oo is a big voice. She was compelled to answer Khun Htun Oo and her ethnic brethren’s' criticism from the podiums of the US. That should not have been the case. Her reasons for not criticizing the government on ethnic issues should have been communicated to Khun and the rest of the ethnic and democratic leaders way before the misunderstanding arose, by networking actively and making known to them her strategy in reconciliation with the president.
Her reasoning was that the NLD is not the government therefore she did not want to take sides. Taking a side could be like a genie, once let out it could be hard to take back.
