9^th August 2009, Kachin State, Myanmar by Mangshang

A lion tirelessly chases and catches a prey. But before it can taste the fruits of its arduous labor, a flock of hyenas robs it and all it can do is helplessly look at the perpetrators. Such is a common example we often see on television programs aired on Animal Planet.

Just like the poor lion, Mr. Lahpai Gam (a pseudonym) has had to abandon his well-tended farm after the National Defense Army-Kachin (NDAK) confiscated his land.

On his nearly five acre farm, Mr. Lahpai Gam has already grown numerous crops such as rubber plants, walnut trees, hardwood trees bearing a pungent smelling edible fruits (locally known as Tanyin Tee) and pineapples. He has already invested a lot of money, four years of time, passion and effort in the farm.

Since 2004, farmers have engaged in slash-and-burn cultivation to sustain long-term gardening in the area. They knew that the new road which is part of the Ledo Road (also known as General Stilwell Road which was used during WWII) will pass along the Sadung river. This gave them incentive as they dreamed of easy transportation. The road will be a major commercial route connecting India and China in the future. It was already completed in 2007.

As usual, farmers do not have land ownership permits (Land Grant) because they do not know whether it is wise to apply for land owner permits from the government. In fact, no one applies for land ownership permits in Sadung Township areas. Since they did not apply for land ownership permit, the areas are essentially free land before the government.

NDAK later also came to start large scale farming covering hundreds of acres in the areas. They applied for land ownership permits from the government and as a result local farmers’ lands have now fallen under the control of the NDAK and their newly acquired land permits.

NDAK then confiscated land from local farmers and gave them a measly 50,000 Kyat each (approximately US$50) as compensation. There are about fourteen farmers so far whose land has been confiscated.

Since losing their land in 2008 to the NDAK, farmers are now opening up new lands for farming nearby. Everyday they can see the plants they cultivated before having their land confiscated and feel deeply saddened for losing them.

When asked why the farmers were compensated so little, an NDAK official in Sadung Pa town who has knowledge of the story (he asked to remain anonymous) dared not comment on the subject.

The NDAK signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military government in 1989. It attended the government-orchestrated National Convention which drafted the constitution that was ratified in the 2008 referendum. Recently, under government pressure, the NDAK has also agreed to transform itself into a border security force.

When asked why he did not complain to the officials, Mr. Lahpai Gam said that he is afraid of being recognized and subsequently targeted.

Sadung area is under the control of three officials – the military government, NDAK and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). Sadung area became a new township in 2008.

As a result, there are now more government offices such as immigration, labor department office, telecommunication and fire station, in addition to a police station and military base. According to sources, these offices were built on private land and compensation for confiscated land was far from satisfactory.

A local resident complained that none of the three authorities are fulfilling the needs of the people who now have to serve three masters.

KDA hte NDAK yang gaw, amyu ting a lawt lam hpe, shanhte a tinggyeng lu lawm lam a matu, galai sha kau sai hku re. KDA hte NDAK hpe woi awn taw nga ai ningbaw ni chye da ra ai gaw, 2000-2001 hta byin lai mat wa sai, sammung na Mung Sa La uhpung zawn tai na hpe myit yu ra na re.

KDA hte NDAK sha n'ga, daini amyu sha ni woi awn taw nga ai ningbaw ningla ni yawng hpe tsun shadum mayu ai. Dai gaw, nanhte asak kung wa sai hte maren lu da sai sutgan ni hpe nkam tat kau ai nga jang gaw, bungli kawn hkring mat yang kaja na re. Ngam nga ai ningbaw ni bai lahpa galai la na ra ai. Shara hkum pat taw nga mu.

KDA hte NDAK mung KIO/KIA kawn pru wa ai ni hkrai re. KIO/KIA hpe hpa majaw hpaw hpang wa ai kun? Amyu a matu shakut let, si mat wa sai share shagan ni gaw, majoi gaman lila sha rai sana kun? Anhte a shada da ai pandung de du sai kun?

Dai ni, myen hpyen wa hte mungmasa jahta sa wa ai shaloi, lahta na gasan ni hpe gaw, sung sung li li myit yu ra na ga ai.

Tinang tsap ai, mungmasa pandung, amyu sha ni lawt lu na matu policy sha jaw yang, ngang yang gaw, mungshawa gaw madi shadaw na sha re.

Burmese military junta has been ruling the country for decades. The country's main political party, National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists have advocated for economic sanctions to punish the regime.



The sanctions range from economic sanction (eg. US bans Burmese products from import, ban new US investments in Burma) and diplomatic sanction (eg. high ranking Burmese officials are barred from entering EU and US) and arm embargo.



What changes have the sanctions brought to Burma's democratization? It is time for opposition leaders and democracy activists to reconsider their failed policy.

Gecko is one of the species which changes its skin according the environment they are in. Sanctions strategy is clearly no longer fit in today's political climate in Burma. Sanctions have been imposed on junta for decades but failed to bring any sort of result.

So, why continue with this failed policy?

"Strongly condemned", "grief concern" and "urged to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally" are some of the familiar words we can see and hear from international community when it comes to Burma politics. Whenever Burmese junta detains or arrests activists, what the international community can say is to repeat these words or phrases mentioned earlier.

These words/phrases, and few superficial and ineffective economic sanctions have been used for decades now. But it shows no sign/evidence of success. The reason is clear. Because international community has no or little interest in Burma. Countries like China and Russia whose national interests in Burma are immense, have been and always will be covering Burma.

If EU and US are serious about democratization in Burma, they are many things they can do which potentially bring some positive results.

For example, they can put pressure on China and Russia (not just by statements) but by actions. What I mean by 'actions'refers to boycotting regional conferences such as APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) because China and Russia are also part of it.

Or alternatively, EU and US banks should not do business with banks which hold Burmese military junta officials' assets or Burmese businesspeople who have close connection with the military junta.

I would be naive if I believe that EU and US will actually go this far for Burmese democratization. This is actually sad.

Because developed countries are not willing to fully support democratization across the globe, today, many countries especially developing ones are still under the authoritarian regimes.

The regimes are well aware of this and their faces are now immune to pressures from international community. In order to have real effect, stronger dose of actions are required.