"We must face our past freely"
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi spoke out about the need for accountability and reconciliation as an important step for Myanmar's future in a historic debate held in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday as global leaders converged for the second day of the World Economic Forum on East Asia.
Speaking on the issue of atrocities committed by the former military regime, Suu Kyi told the Forum that there is a strong link between truth and reconciliation, and that rather than seeking revenge, she sees the need for Myanmar to acknowledge the past for the country to move forward.
"Only by facing our past freely can we move into the future freely. Personally I am against the concept revenge. But accountability is related to courage and I admire courage in individuals as well as nations and I would like us to have the courage to face our past squarely so that the same mistakes will not be committed in the future," said the Nobel Laureate.
The debate entitled "Myanmar: What Future?" was organised and moderated by the BBC and included Aung San Suu Kyi, Minister of the President's Office, U Soe Thein and ex-political prisoner and activist, Zin Mar Myint on the panel. They engaged critical questions about the reform process, the role of the military, media and freedom of speech among other issues with an equally distinguished audience including academics, journalists and historians.
The panelists discussed at length the challenges facing the reform process initiated by the President Thein Sein and his government and whether changes are reversible or not. They acknowledged the difficult path ahead but were "cautiously optimistic" about achieving reforms.
"It comes down to inclusiveness. If the people think that they are included in the reform process then it will not be easily reversible. But if too many people feel excluded then the dangers of a reversal are high," said Suu Kyi.
Aung Zaw, founder and editor of the Irrawaddy magazine, commented from the audience that he is skeptical about the reform process, especially in the media because journalists still cannot write freely about past abuses and corruption.
Minister Soe Thein responded that freedom of the press in Myanmar is much better than before and when it comes to reform they must heed the example of countries like the United States, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
"We have to go step by step. What is needed is balance and creating capacity in the media," said the Minister.
Suu Kyi, however, disagreed with Soe Thein stating that the press still does not have complete freedom in the country due to a fear of openness.
"We should be able to face openness; this is the sign of a mature democracy."
Later in the debate, Aung San Suu Kyi admitted that she would like to run for President in 2015 but acknowledged that many reforms were necessary before this was possible. The Nobel Laureate was also criticised for staying silent over the violence faced by Muslim minorities in Rakhine State.
She defended herself insisting on the importance of the rule of law as a first step to finding a solution for these issues. She also called for the need to reassess the 1982 Citizenship Law to ensure that it meets with international norms.
"If we are going to resolve our problems we have to face them squarely, especially the problem facing Muslims, it’s a big problem and it’s a complicated problem."
The debate also raised questions about the role of the military in Myanmar's democracy. BBC presenter Nik Gowing asked the panel whether they thought the military was ready to relinquish its 25 percent control of Parliament as stipulated by the constitution, and allow for full civilian oversight of the Legislature.
"Twenty years back everything was run by the military. My point of view is that this will take gradual change," said Minister Soe Thein.
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose father was General Aung San, a revered national hero who was instrumental in the struggle for independence, said that she sees an important role for a professional military in future.
"I want the military to have a special place in the hearts of our people. That is to say, I want a military that is professional, that is honorable, and that it prepared to defend our nation and our people. This is the kind of army my father anticipated when he founded it in the 1940's," said Suu Kyi.
The debate was broadcast live by the BBC and featured many responses on social media from viewers around the world. It is the first time for a debate of this kind to openly discuss many of the pertinent issues facing Myanmar and speak frankly about the challenges facing its leaders.
At the end of the televised debate, Gowing asked the audience if they were optimistic or not about Myanmar's future. A show of hands in the room showed an overall optimism for the future of the country, a sentiment largely prevalent among both local and international participants at the Forum.
It is the first time for the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Myanmar marking a historic occasion as the country begins engaging with the international community after years of isolation.
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