Bangkok
(The Nation/ANN) - The Thein Sein administration in Burma is playing with
international opinion quite effectively, as it always does.
Earlier
this month the regime decided to free more than 6,000 prisoners, including over
200 political prisoners. This, of course has raised expectations in the
international community about the pace of reform in the country. As expected,
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi praised the releases and urged the
government to free all political prisoners. However, there are still an
estimated 2,000 such prisoners in jails in various parts of the country.
Last week in Bangkok, Kurt Campbell, US
assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs made some kind
comments on Burma regarding the ongoing reforms but again urged Burma to do
more. The US and Burma have recently been attempting to mend fences after two
decades of bitter ties, including economic sanctions imposed on Burma by the
US. Burma now seems to realise that without sufficient change, the opportunity
for ending sanctions will remain nil for the time being because of the upcoming
electoral campaign in the US.
At the moment, however, the US-Burma
"friendship" could be bolstered, especially as a small open space has
opened since Naypyidaw halted construction of a controversial dam in Myitsone
in the Kachin State until 2015. This was a clear signal from Burma to the US
that Washington's support is urgently needed to counter the growing influence
of China. The action on the Chinese-funded dam has won Burma a certain amount
of praise and admiration from around the world, especially from the civil
society movements, even the most hostile ones. But the project's temporary
stoppage has stirred up a strong response from the Chinese government, which
reiterated that Burma must adhere to the contract, which was signed in 2006.
It is obvious that Burma has set forth a
priority. First, it wants to deal with the present economic crisis and make
sure that it wins sizeable financial loans and assistance from the World Bank
and the Asian Development Fund. It also wants to reduce the effects of all
sanctions thereafter. Thus the regime has to be seen to be doing all it can to
win a measure of support from these organisations and its numerous critics
around the world.
If this works, Burma will then seek the Asean
chair for 2014, which will be decided at next month's Asean summit in Bali.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa will visit Burma at the end of
October, which could be a rubber stamp from the current chair. If everything
turns out as the Burmese wish, in Bali Thein Sein could become the first
Burmese president to come face to face with a US president. That could be the
outcome!
The US motive continues to be driven by the desire
to counter China's downward influence. Obviously, Burma is at the region's
strategic crossroads. Everybody knows that, through Burma, China will have
access to two major oceans, the Pacific and the Indian. Washington is thus
eager now to improve ties with Burma. But it can do that only after Burma shows
sincerity in its reforms, and the release of political prisoners is a critical
issue in this regard. Some concrete responses from the US are expected in the
near future.
The Burmese comedian "Zarganar" asked
why the regime's leaders were so "stingy" in freeing political
prisoners, because there are still many more in jails. The answer is that the
regime wants to make sure outsiders take it seriously. Without political
prisoners, Naypyidaw will have no bargaining power left.
Editorial Desk in Bangkok/The Nation
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment