Different view with Than Myint U& Bertil Lintner

I have not read yet the book "River of the Lost footstep" written by Than Myint U, grandson of late UN General Secretary. Singapore FM George Yeo and a few Asean leaders and political analyst, authors refer to his book on defending ASEAN policy on Burma. However i encountered following sentences of Than Myint U in newspaper. I am so upset and his words are misleading. I wonder whether George Yeo and political analyst would be noticed of Than Myint U's book if he is not a grandchild of U Thant.

Thant Myint U-

"She's probably the only person who could counsel patience and moderation and be able to bring a large part of the population with her"This will be important for the transition, but beyond that it's impossible to know how well she would be able to cope with the challenges of day-to-day government."

Opinion 1. She is the only person to cope with the challenge of day to day government. Than M U underestimate her ability and very pessimistic on the people in Burma and do not understand the people of Burma quite well. The civilian can handle on economic and policy matter more better than the current ministers (generals). However, we could not expect excellence good governance like developed countries.

Opinion 2 This is really underestimating the ability DASSK. Look around the current leaders in ASEAN countries, who can come close to the leadership qualities of DASSK. What we need most during the first decade (assume 2 terms NLD is government) is great leader, not great manager who can manage the day-to-day operations of government. Of course leaders can make mistakes, as everyone does. We people also have to be patient. But I don’t think DASSK will keep making mistakes in all 10 years in office. And we all must bear in mind that in today’s situation if DASSK is gone, our hopes are almost gone. It takes decades to emerge such a good leader. We’ve already lost one. She is now in her 60s. Not much time left. Let’s not loose her. Bear in mind that no leader can build a nation alone. Everyone has a part to play

Thant Myint-U
"Rebuilding shattered structures at the same time as easing the army out of its overall government role is an almost unprecedented task. It's hard for me to think of another situation in which that has happened peacefully," ,
Opinion 1 Yes, it might be unprecedented task, but not an impossible task. Take for e.g., building Israel after WW2. They’ve also started with nothing. No government, no army, nothing. It is the strong will of people that make Israel to today’s status. And we’ve great leaders, like DASSK, 88 generation students who can really motivate and change the ideas of people. We have many intellectuals in the world who are very keen to contribute for the development of our country.
Opinion 2 Once the military is under the elected government, rebuilding the shattered structures is not too difficult.. Phasing out the military from the politics and management position in various sector is most important. All military personal, especially high ranking official, have their mindset to be changed. Military have their decision on military matter only, not to be involved in economy, social and policy matter.We have so many patriot Burmese around the world. We have a great leader DASSK and 88 generation leaders who were competent.We don't

Than Myint U
We dont want Myanmar to be a parallel of Iraq, where we said it's good Saddam Hussein is no longer there, but then did not know how to handle the insurgency that went on after he was gone

Than Myint U do not understand the current political situation of Burma. No ethnic minority asked for independence. They ask for Fedration only. Ethnic minority take up arm struggle as they were not given their rights by Ne Win, Than Shwe military government. All people were given same right in the Federation no body will take up arm struggle.

Bertil Lintner

The transition to civilian rule is bound to be extremely difficult, given the fact that the country has not had a truly civilian government since 1962," Eelements of the military would have to be retained to guide the country through such turbulent times.

As long as military personnel regard that the democratic system is best for our country the transition period may not be extremely difficult. However, I agree that there will be a lot of problems in transition period.. Under the leadership of Daw Su and 88 generation leaders those problems can be solved.

Opinion 2 I agree with the fact that the transition to civilian rule will be very difficult but not to the extent that the military elements must guide the country for such transition to occur. This is the thinking and blind believes of the military. But the leaders of the civilian government need to get the full support of the military to sustain the achieved democracy. I have two points to point out.

1. Today is not like the days of 1962 in a sense that the communism has already proven to be a failed ideology. The remaining communist forces in the country will not raise arm’s struggle to get control of government like we’d experienced before.

2. The ethnic groups. My understanding is that today none of the ethnic group is asking for full independence. They are just asking for equal rights and federal states which are quite appropriate for our country’s situation. So the question of disintegration of the country is just a lie of military. And ethnic groups know that their goals also can only be achieved by political means.