Dear U Kyaw Myaing,

We, Burmese people, are renowned for their 'phyat-htow-nyan'. The saying was 'a-yeik-pya; a-kaung-htin' (you only need to hint for the people to get the point) but none of us want to see the 'elephant' in the room when it comes to 'national reconciliation'.

Daw Suu was being frank to warn the party officials not to expect much out of the 'so-called' talks. In post cold war history Gorbachev must be the only politician who make policy changes to get him out of office.

Do you sincerely believe that the military regime will reconcile with civilian politicians putting the good of the country ahead? Pinch yourself out of your daydreaming, it will not happen. They will never let go of power when under present conditions (when the military is all the way behind them even if they were to shoot to kill monks) there is no hope of them 'negotiating' themselves out of power.

You mentioned Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" but some are more atuned to Leonard Cohen's "Waiting For the Miracle". Well, like they say, "you'll have plenty of hope in your heart when you pray a lot; but you'll have plenty of soap in your a*se if you bathe a lot." The military regime will still be the 'elephant' in the room when it comes to reconciliation.

Socrates famously said that 'the unexamined life is not worth living' and according to Epicurus the key ingredients of happiness is 'friends', 'freedom' and 'to have an analysed life, ready to reflect on your life, to make time to think of your anxieties.'

In spite of the amount of wealth they have accumulated whether by fair or foul means (more likely by unfair means), do you think that the general in the military regime (and their family) will be happy, have a good life?

I have no doubt that they will have (at least) fair weather friends; they definitely have 'freedom' to do what they like; but I doubt that they have little or no opportunity to either analyse or reflect on the lives they lead. I'm sure they harbour anxieties of being charge on 'crimes against humanity' while alive and descending into the 'nether' world when they die.

However, despite being the least 'nominal Buddhists' the generals must held the views (like their benefactors Pyigyi Tayoke Pauk Phaws and Pyidwin Tayoke Pauk Phws)that the good things in life are 'material comforts' they have no intention of changing their status quo.

Please forgive me if I wake you out of your day dream but sooner or later you'll have to come back down to earth and face reality. You don't have to look that far, ask your brother whether he would prefer going back to his prime duty as a military officer or just be content with working as consultant to Martin Pun. I'm sure you'll get your answer.