After ten years of failed government, the junta is facing an acute political crisis. The international community must continue to keep this heat turned up if meaningful dialogue will one day to become a reality. But, as important as this pressure is, it is not enough. While we keep the pressure on, we must look for ways to open new opportunities for dialogue and seek the involvement of our friends, particularly our Asian friends, to help create these opportunities. While General Khin Nyunt was telling a French magazine that he favored a process of dialogue that involved initial contact followed by confidence building, the leader of our party, Aung San Suu Kyi was telling Asiaweek that the NLD was supportive of starting lower level negotiations and genuine political dialogue.
Dialogue is possible.
Indeed, it is inevitable. What is required is a concerted international effort to call for the start of genuine political dialogue. There is no more important source for this call than right here in Asia by leaders of nations who recognize that the political stalemate and the deteriorating conditions within Burma negatively affect the entire region. But we also need this call to ring from nations throughout the world. Just as the participants in this conference can and must continue to play an important role in maintaining the economic and political pressure that is necessary for change, so you can also play a role in encouraging your governments to join in the call for meaningful political dialogue.