Women Trouble

By Jeff Kingston

Government leaders in Myanmar and Indonesia have women trouble. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Megawati Sukarnoputri are popular opposition politicians in their respective nations. Both are daughters of the founding fathers and national heroes of their countries. Due to the power of their appeal and support for real democracy, both are also victims of political oppression.

One year ago Aung San Suu Kyi was released from six years of house arrest. In 1990 her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won a landslide victory at the polls. However, the ruling military junta, SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council), rejected the results.

Since her release, Suu Kyi has peacefully campaigned for democracy. SLORC, intimidated by her moral authority and popularity, recently arrested hundreds of NLD members prior to a party conference. It ws rumored that she would also be arrested.

The intervention of the Japanese government was apparently what saved her from incarceration. Government spokesmen called in Myanmar embassy officials and announced that Japanese aid and investment plans would have to be reconsidered if she was arrested. Without this strong and timely stance , it is likely that Suu Kyi would have been arrested.

Indonesia's Megawati was the leader of the United Democratic Party , a large opposition group. Recently the government supported a move to oust her from the leadership of her party. This effort was aimed at denying her a chance to contest the scheduled presidential elections in 1998.

Current President Suharto, 75, has ruled since 1966. At that time he ousted Megawati's father, President Sukarno. Fearing that she would oppose him in the coming elections, Suharto and his minions apparently decided not to risk a potentially humiliating outcome . Initial demonstrations in her support led to bloodshed and arrests. Even her closest advisers admit that she has scant recourse given the power of the government.

It is the overwhelming power of the military in both countries, and the willingness to resort to violence , which silences democratic forces.

What can the world do to help these women in trouble and the people they are trying to help? U.S. activists advocate economic sanctions . Putting pressure on SLORC is viewed as an effective means to encourage reform. On the other hand, Myanmar's neighbors have advocated constructive engagement.

By engaging SLORC in dialogue and investing in the country's economic development, ASEAN seeks to gradually nurture democratic forces. The U.S. pressure tactics are criticized by some as inappropriate to Asian norms . But human rights activists criticize ASEAN for profiting at the expense of the oppressed Myanmarese people.

On Myanmar, Japan has steered a course between the sanctions advocated by the U.S. and ASEAN's policy of constructive engagement. On Indonesia, Japanese influence could be enormous but has been used sparingly . In both cases, the jury is still out on Japan's quiet diplomacy .

Shukan ST: July 26, 1996

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