Myanmar is no longer a closed-door country and people who have an interest in it and its people now enjoy much greater access than in the past. Information that would have remained secret in the past quickly becomes public knowledge in today's global village. The old adage "Honesty is the best policy" is more important than ever for those who would like to maintain their dignity.
There are exceptions, however. Myanmar's generals and prodemocracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been engaged in secret talks since August but the content of the talks have yet to be revealed to the general public.
Some critics have voiced their disapproval of the secrecy, saying Myanmar's people deserve to know the substance of the talks. Others regret that representatives of Myanmar's ethnic minorities were not included in the discussions. Though most dissidents around the world have enthusiastically expressed their hopes and expectations, dissidents who currently reside in Japan say they cannot trust the military junta.