Western countries including US posed sanctions against Myanmar and tried
to isolate the country. However hard they tried, Myanmar was never freed from
the grip of dictatorship for over 20 years. It was Obama who used a different
approach to Myanmar.
A few years ago, Myanmar started
to change toward democracy. A civilian government has come to power after the
controversial 2010 election. Since then Myanmar has experienced changes in
politics and the US have lifted sanctions not long ago. Although the country is
still far from reaching the ultimate goal, it can be regarded as a political achievement
for the Obama administration during his first term.
Since president Obama has been
reelected as the president of the United States, it can be expected that he
will continue what he started. It is interesting to see if there is going to be
any changes. Right now, the president is planning to visit Myanmar as a part of
his Asean visit. He will become the first US president to visit the once
authoritarian country in more than half a century.
However, the question why he is
coming to Myanmar remains. The Obama administration is trying to have good
relations with Myanmar which has recently moved away from its long-time patron,
China. At the same time, the Thein Sein government is rebuilding its reputation
in the international community with the help of the United States. The second
term of Obama can further cement that relationship.
During his visit, it is hoped
that Obama will emphasise the democratic reforms in the country. It must be
addressed that the 2015 election be transparent and fair. The need of revising
the constitution should not be neglected. He also needs to express concern on
ethnicities. The Rakhine strife must be discussed.
Moreover, revising the
constitution is required to ensure long-lasting peace with different ethnic
militias. In fact, the constitution itself is barring the democratic faiths and
federal ideas.
President Thein Sein mentioned
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi can be president of the Union of Myanmar during
his visit to the US but he again said electing her as president requires
revising the constitution and depends on other parliamentarians. It may show
that the Obama administration cannot trust the words of the Thein Sein
government.
How the US president view Myanmar
is important. In fact, the US wants a ground to countercheck the influence of
China in the Asia-Pacific region. During his Asean tour, Obama will become the
first president to visit Cambodia, ruled by a semi-dictator. It seemed that the
Obama administration is willing to work with ruling regimes and reward them for
their reforms. Forgetting past sins is required for this process.
Recognising an unpopular regime,
however, is not a democratic solution.
What are the objectives for
Myanmar? If the administration is interested only in balancing China’s power
and fails to promote the democratic process, it will not be able to maintain a
good image among the Myanmar public. Moreover, with the prospect of civil war
looming, US companies will be risking their fortunes by investing in Myanmar.
Obama’s visit to Myanmar is a
good omen for Myanmar’s democracy. However, if the intention is only to control
China’s power, it will not be welcomed. Backing an authoritarian regime to
check the rival (like establishing surrogate states during the cold war) will
not be accepted.
If Obama is coming to quicken
democratisation, it is appreciated. However, it is still too early if the
president is coming to praise what has been achieved so far by the Thein Sein
administration.
The norms for independent media,
which can guarantee democracy, have not been defined yet. The Act of
Publication (1962) is still haunting the journalists. Newspapers, radio and
television channels, which are mainstream media, are still controlled by the
government or its cronies. Independent journalists have to thrive amidst weekly
journalism. The hopes of ethnic groups, such as peace and equality, and poverty
levels remain just as before the democratic reforms. The military and ruling
party is quiet to voice amendments to the 2008 constitution that allows the
return to status quo.
Is Obama planning this historic
visit to Myanmar just to praise democratic icon Aung San Suu Ky and the
achievements of the current government?
What will be done about forming
independent media, ensuring equality and peace to the ethnic minorities and
promising a democratic government through the 2015 elections?
There are questions to be asked…
Zwell Waian
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 Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. Since we are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, you may contact us at: sbc.pte@gmail.com, provisionally. Many thanks.
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