There were two crucial points in the recent time line of Burmese politics. In 1988, U Nu, Ex-general Aung Gyi, and ASSK collectively squandered the rare and only opportunity to lead Burma out of doldrums while the army was on its knees just after the sudden collapse of Ne Win’s Socialist government and aftermath of a massive popular uprising where many thousands of lives were lost.

The dialogues with the army were publicly offered later to the ASSK and NLD before Than Shwe led SLORC becoming self-assured of itself with the policy about turn of China and its massive support, but NLD has chosen to fight head on than negotiate with the only surving institution, aka army, in Burma.

By trying to isolate the army and also the country by morally and politically authorizing the economic and political sanctions by the West where she is extremely popular, ASSK led NLD has played itself miserably into the brutal and calculated hands of Mad Generals.

The reason there is no state structure in Burma is because the military systematically removed it, unlike Indonesia. I think Jon Fernquest said it best:
“Please study the “Burmese Way to Socialism” which eventually became the “Burmese Way to Present Deplorable Human Rights State of Burma” with no dissent allowed at all.”

How does that allow for dialogue?

The Guardian piece is thought-provoking although it strikes me as pursuing iconoclasm for its own sake. The real problem is not with Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership skills but with the unreasonable expectations that have been put on her by Burmese and international activists.

In the binary view of many journalists and Western Burma activists, the junta can only lead to the destruction of Burma while Aung San Suu Kyi represents the sole route to national salvation.

But, in reality, the main challenge that Burma faces is the fact that it is a country without a functioning state apparatus (save for the Army), as depicted by Mary P. Callahan. A simple change of regime, even if it were to happen in a peaceful and orderly manner, would not even begin resolve many of the country’s issues.

Because Aung San Suu Kyi has been represented in the West as an almost goddess-like, Gandhi/Dalai Lama-esque celebrity peace activist, far too much is expected of her. That is not, however, through any fault of her own.