Dec 12, 2005

Burma: Rare Pressure from Asean on Rangoon


Burma has faced a new wave of pressure ahead of the latest Asean Summit that starts today. But this time, the pressure for swift political reform and immediate release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is coming from Burmas best friend, Asean
Burma has faced a new wave of pressure ahead of the latest Asean Summit that starts today. But this time, the pressure for swift political reform and the immediate release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is coming from Burma’s best friend, Asean.

Asean has been caught off guard by Burma’s latest political decisions, particularly the decision to extend the house arrest of Suu Kyi for another six months and the military regime’s decision to relocate its capital from Rangoon to Pyinmana.

Both issues seem to be last straws for Asean, which has until now been a loyal defender of Burma, both before and after the country joined it in 1997. But Asean is now losing face, particularly in the eyes of Western countries, because it was not informed of either decision before the announcements were made.

Therefore came Asean’s rare attack on Burma ahead of the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Before the summit, the Malaysian government as well as other Asean members had remained silent over Burma’s extension of Suu Kyi’s house arrest and the administrative relocation.

Burma’s Foreign Minister Nyan Win seemed unprepared for the controversy when he arrived in Kuala Lumpur to prepare for the arrival of Burmese Prime Minister Soe Win.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Syed Hamid earlier said the summit was not a meeting about Burma. However, after the start of the foreign ministers’ meeting, he told reporters that Burma is an embarrassment and a burden on Asean.

He told the media after a bilateral meeting with Nyan Win that he had voiced Asean’s concern about Burma’s lack of political progress to the Burmese minister, who he said seemed unable to give a satisfactory response. He added that Burma needed to affirm a timeframe for swift political reform.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi also emphasised that Burma needs to display a commitment to positive political development to allow Asean to effectively defend it, adding that Asean must take into account pressure from the international community on this matter.

Asean foreign ministers also proposed sending a team to Burma in response to the repeated refusals of Burma’s military junta to allow the entry of a UN special envoy into the country.

Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said the initiative was proposed because Asean wants to find out what is really happening in Burma. However, the minister said he had no idea if the team will be allowed to meet Suu Kyi.

It has also been suggested that this year’s Asean Summit chairman’s statement will contain “strong” wording about Burma at the urging of Indonesia. Previous statements have contained more conciliatory terms when referring to Burmese-related issues.

The Philippines is also calling for swift political reform in Burma. Its Foreign Minister, Alberto Romulo, said his country would be willing to forgo its Asean chairmanship next year in favour of Burma, on the condition that Burma releases Aung San Suu Kyi and speeds up its “roadmap” to democracy.

The Philippines took over the chairmanship from Burma earlier this year, after the international community threatened to boycott the grouping.

The future of Burma is worth watching now that Asean and six other dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea – will meet at the East Asia Summit on Wednesday. The EAS comprises two Asian economic powerhouses, China and Japan, plus Australia, which has close connections with the US.

Australia criticised Burma recently after it signed Asean’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in order to join the EAS on Saturday.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also urged China and Japan to put more pressure on the country, which he said did not show any signs of positive political developments. Although the EAS is still in its early stages, it could become a platform for Australia to voice its criticisms of Burma.

Maybe if Asean wants to avoid Burmese issues dominating its ministerial and summit meetings, it should do more to persuade Burma, as one of its members, to make these reforms as soon as possible.

By: Marisa Chimprabha

Source: The Nation