I want to ask about Aung San Suu Kyi. Many across the world would have expected more from someone of her stature—a Nobel Prize winner and someone who has advocated for democracy in Burma throughout her life. However, this is not the case now.
My question is for Mr. Smith and Mr. Ramadan.
What explains the deafening silence? Now, where she has spoken about it, her words have not been helpful at all. She is permitting the violence to take place with her particular stand on the issue. What are the reasons? Is it for political reasons? Is there a prevailing sense of Buddhist nationalism in the country that she is worried about offending which would have political ramifications for her and the National League for Democracy?
There are reports of a prevailing sense—irrational—of fear of Islam within Burmese society and she is mindful of that and does not want to do anything that would make it seem as if she is siding with those in the state that people are fearful of, Muslims, whom people are fearful of, again irrationally, but the sentiment is there. What explanations can you offer?