If everyone agrees on one thing, it is that 2006 will be a critical year for the Burmese democracy movement.

The end of 2005 saw a wave of international support for Burma flood the news and the momentum created should not be lost. But, as usual, the road ahead is rough, and the National League for Democracy will bear the brunt of it.

A division commander from Northern Burma lambasted the NLD during the forth quarter meeting with about 80 high-ranking officials in October.

Aside from spouting the regime’s six principles and five future objectives, his speech centered around anti-NLD rhetoric and methods for maintaining the military’s role in Burma’s political future.

While the speech may not have represented his personal feelings, it was certainly representative of the military’s desire to do away with the NLD.

The regime’s policy should be crystal clear to everyone. They want to destroy all their political opponents, suppress ethnic, political and armed organisations and do away with attempts to create meaningful dialogue.

They have no intention of compromising or reaching agreements with anyone.

They are, in fact, preparing for the destruction of the opposition. As they preach national unity, solidarity and democracy at the National Convention, they are widening the divide between the military and civilian populations.

They are throwing their weight behind the Union Solidarity and Development Association in an attempt to consolidate their grip on Burma.

While this is happening, some Europeans, international non-governmental groups and other organisations are promoting an alternate method of democratic transition in Burma: A system that is acceptable to the military.

But these ideas threaten the NLD’s legitimacy and these people question public support for the opposition. They call for increased humanitarian aid to Burma in an attempt to create political change through a different channel.

But when we look at the nature of the regime, their scare tactics, abuse and meddling, it is hard to support the view that we should make political change acceptable to them.

These policies do not support the wishes of the peoples of Burma for political liberalisation, democracy and a new way of life.

While change has not come to Burma yet, the long, hard struggle for rights and liberty should not be dismissed or ruled out by a handful of people whose only concern is for their own interests.