Women Trouble
By Jeff Kingston
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苦境に立つ女性指導者たち
軍事政権下のミャンマーとインドネシアで、野党の女性指導者2人が政府から弾圧を受けている。世界は彼女たちのために、そして彼女たちが救おうとしている人々のために何ができるのか…。
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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
(C) All rights reserved
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