From the Colonial Period to Independence

Burma was annexed as part of the British Empire following the defeat of the Mandalay Dynasty in the third British-Burma War, in 1886. In 1940, thirty Burmese patriots including Aung San travelled overseas for military training in Japan, planning to attack the Burma Route, held at that time by the Allies. In March 1942, the Japanese army took Rangoon together with Aung San's army of pro-Independence Burmese volunteers. However the Japanese forces took over all of Burma, not stopping with the blockade of the Burma Route. In August 1943, Japan "liberated" Burma by occupying Burma, exploiting its resources and labour through military control. A language known as "Japan Ki" was used in Burma during this period. In 1945, Burmese troops commanded by Gen. Aung San commenced armed resistance against Japan. On January 4th, 1948, Burma declared independence as the Union Republic of Burma.

Ne Win's Dictatorship

In 1962, Gen. Ne Win took over by military coup-d'etat, assuming all decision-making powers and forming a Revolutionary Council. Burmese-style socialism commenced. The Constitution was annulled, political parties were disbanded, and the Parliament was also shut down. A semi-isolationist foreign policy, and a controlled economy, resulted in economic depression. In 1987, the United Nations gave Burma LLDC (Lowest among Least Developed Countries) status. In August 1987, Ne Win delivered a speech on radio and TV admitting some mistakes in the 25 years since the coup-d'etat, announcing domestic free market for eleven agricultural products, and arbitrarily abolishing three bank-note denominations. However these policies led to further serious economic problems, and people's antipathy for Ne Win increased.

Rise and Suppression of the Democratic Movement

Economic problems and military dictatorship resulted in major anti-government demonstrations in Rangoon in 1988. Because of these anti-government actions, meetings and demonstrations were banned, and a curfew was declared. Finally Ne Win was forced to resign, and Sein Lwin took over as President. On August 8th, 1988 students, workers and citizens demonstrated, commencing a general strike, which was brutally repressed by the military with, according to Western sources, a massacre of at least 1,000 protesters. The USA cut off economic aid to the government. Around 10,000 students escaped to the border areas, and joined armed minority ethnic groups. On September 27th 1988, the NLD (National League for Democracy) was founded by Aung San Suu Kyi, Aung Gyi, and Tin Oo. Since then the NLD has played a vital role in the pro-democracy movement. On May 27th, 1990, a general election was held. NLD members were elected to 392 out of 485 seats, a landslide victory. However, the military junta did not convene the elected Congress, saying that the Constitution was "incomplete". The military continues to harrass the pro-democracy movement including the NLD, banning meetings of over 5 people, and legalizing detention without trial. The junta continues to ignore human rights and international criticism, and political prisoners continue to die in jail. In May 1998 the NLD asked the Junta to convene the Congress based on the results of the election held in 1990, and their request was rejected. This interview deals with this request in detail. In September the majority of elected NLD members voted to convene the Congress independently, as a result more than half of them were "invited" into state custody.