The EU and the US Easing Sanctions on Burma

The United States and the European Union have said that it will follow and reward Burma’s democratic reforms, and they have been bargaining. As the new government led by President Thein Sein enacted in a series of democratic changes such as granting amnesty on some political prisoners and announcing greater press freedom, the United States, Australia, European Union including Norway, Britain have rewarded those reforms by lifting some long-standing sanctions against Burma.

During the 1990’s, the European Union and America imposed sanctions on Burma for its human rights abuses. Sanctions on Burma drove the country closer to its big superpower neighbor, China, and the Burmese government is looking forward to attract more foreign investors as analysts disclose the Burmese government’s growing exhaustion of China taking advantage of its resources. The videos show case the World Bank’s forum on Burma’s progress towards economic reforms discussing the removal of the sanctions and the humanitarian issues that still face the country.

English Version:

Burmese Version:

Interview with Historian Thant Myint U

Thant Myint U’s latest book, Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia gives insight into the portrait of Burma and its two superpower neighbors. In an interview with Ronnie Nyein, Thant Myint U talks about his latest best seller (which is currently the Number One best seller in India) and the human rights situation in Burma.

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VOA -Ronnie Nyein:

In your latest book, you suggest that we, the international community, have an obsession with human rights, while doing little to change the situation internally, pushing the junta inexorably into the arms of Peking ( China). Why do you state this?

Thant Myint U:

I think it’s extremely important to emphasize human rights. I don’t think it’s wrong for the international community, the United Nations and the United States to talk about and support human rights. What I am very critical about is the use of economic sanction to do that because I think the trade embargo, the aid cutoff and the economic sanctions have helped to increase Chinese influence in the country perhaps, is not such a good way and have other negative effects as well. I’m not against pushing human rights and am not against supporting human rights, but I am against using economic trade sanctions and embargo in order to do that and I think it may have had for the last twenty years been a big part of increasing the Chinese influence in the country for better or for worse.

Ronnie Nyein:

Does it mean Burma needs to abandon the human rights issue?

Thant Myint U:

No, not at all. I think, even now it’s more important than ever that the country moves in a democratic direction because I think a better government and a more democratic government would be the government that would be best in time to manage the relations between China and Burma. I think the problem is, for the challenges we have to find a clever way, in which to do that, and I think sanctions is not the right way. That doesn’t mean the issue of democracy is not important.

Ronnie Nyein:

In your book, you say, “A peaceful, prosperous and democratic Burma would be a game-changer for all of Asia.” Is it just a hope or do you really believe in it, and when do you think Burma will be a game-changer for all of Asia?

Thant Myint U:

I think we can all be hopeful and I think that there be a good step taking recently but I think we shouldn’t underestimate the huge challenges that our country faces ahead economically and in so many other ways. So I think we have (maybe) the beginning that starts and (maybe) we should all be hopeful in some way but I think the challenges are enormous, like if we are going to become a peaceful, prosperous and democracy, it is still going to take long time. But (maybe) we made a start.

Ronnie Nyein:

What do you want to say about your latest published book, Where China Meets India?

Thant Myint U:

Well, I think a lot of people in Myanmar would be interested in it because it’s not just about the politics and it’s not just about the crisis situations. But it’s a lot of history book, history of a country and history of two places that everyone in Myanmar (Burma) should know about which is North-East India and Yunnan. And these are our two neighbors, India and China, North-East India and Yunnan and very few people in the country know about this. I hope that in reading my book, fellows can learn a lot about who their closest neighbors are.

Ronnie Nyein:

So do you mean the main theme of this book is two foxes are fighting for the fish.

Thant Myint U:

No, not really. It’s not just about the China-India competition. It’s about these two areas, Yunnan and North-East India which has very deep historical connections to Myanmar (Burma), Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and their connections with old parts of Yunnan and the previous kingdom in Myanmar (Burma) as well. I think we have to rediscover these things at the time when India and China are much closer to Myanmar (Burma) than before. So we have to rediscover our own history and our own connections with these places as well.

Ronnie Nyein:

Thank you very much, indeed.

Thant Myint U:

It’s my pleasure.

The Dalai Lama’s Exclusive Interview with VOA

The Dalai Lama sat down with VOA yesterday on July 12, 2011 to tell us about his life now-after he stepped down his role as the Tibetan exiled government leader. He actually reveals that he feels ” freer”. He also wanted to meet with the staff of the Mandarin service (Chinese service) because he had a special message for China. If he were ever asked to help relations with China, he said, he would. Watch the full interview here.

My coworkers have had the chance to meet and talk to the Dalai Lama back in 1997- over 14 years ago; and they remember his kindness and enthusiasm in lending a hand to his Buddhist counterparts in Burma. (picture attached) I’ve been in the same room with the Dalai Lama; and whether he is talking to you in a small conference room or to thousands of people during his meditation services, he exudes the same great aura and that special kind hearted spirit. He is unbelievably down to earth and personable- and he is also controversial to many people and nations around the world.

The Dalai Lama  – Intv. Part 1:

The Dalai Lama – Intv. Part 2:

 

Attached are the pictures of the Dalai Lama during the interview yesterday. Hope you enjoy.

With Metta,

Kaye

China Says Foreign Governments Should Not Interfere in Burma’s Election

– VOA News- Peter Simpson

AP Photo: General Than Shwe arrives to Beijing, China.

Summary: China says the international community should avoid interfering in Burma’s November elections. The call comes at the start of Burma’s military leader Than Shwe four-day state visit. Peter Simpson reports from Beijing.
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As Beijing prepared to welcome Burma’s Senior General Than Shwe Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry rebuffed international criticism of the close ties between the two Asian neighbors.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that Burma is a friendly neighbor to China. She went on to say that Burma’s election in November is an internal matter.

Jiang says countries critical of Burma’s government should refrain from what she describes as any negative impact on its political process – especially during the run-up to the elections.

Several governments, including the United States, say it does not appear the elections, the first in 20 years, will be fair. Human rights groups and Burmese opposition members say the elections will allow the military to continue to dominate the government.

Jiang says General Than Shwe will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao while in the country. She says the visit will further cement the already close ties between the neighbors.

General Than Shwe will also tour the Shanghai Expo and Shenzhen, the economic powerhouse where China’s rapid industrial development began.

Human rights groups have criticized China over its support for Burma. Most developed nations have imposed economic sanctions on the government because of its poor human rights record, but China has never done so.

However, last year, Beijing publicly rebuked Burma after fighting between its army and an ethnic minority group’s militia sent more than 30,000 refugees into China.

Regional political analysts say on this visit General Than Shwe will seek continued economic and diplomatic support from Chinese leaders. But they are likely to urge him to avoid causing instability in the region.

China is now Myanmar’s third largest trading partner and investor after Thailand and Singapore. Bilateral trade totaled $2.9 billion in 2009.

Burma Military Ruler Visits China

AP Photo: Sept. 7 2010, General Than Shwe arrives to China- Beijing Airport.

– VOA News

Burma’s top leader, General Than Shwe, arrived in Beijing Tuesday for a state visit ahead of national elections this fall.

China strongly backs Burma and provides it with key economic and diplomatic support. Burma’s ruling military has been largely shunned by the West because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to the opposition party that won elections 20 years ago.

Than Shwe is expected to meet with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese officials during his five-day visit.

Though no details have been released about their agenda, experts expect talks to center on Burma’s upcoming elections and economic deals signed by Mr. Wen earlier this year.

Than Shwe will also visit the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and economic hub Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong province before returning home on Saturday.

Burmese Military Leader to Visit China

– VOA News

AP Photo: General Than Shwe

Burmese military junta leader General Than Shwe will visit China next week.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters in Beijing Thursday Than Shwe will arrive in the country next Tuesday, and hold talks with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. The general will also travel to Shanghai to see the World Expo during his four-day visit.

Yu says Chinese officials believe Than Shwe’s visit will contribute to the consolidation of the two nation’s “traditional friendship.”

China is Burma’s main ally and third largest trading partner. Burma’s military government has been shunned by the West for its suppression of political opposition and poor overall human rights record.

Burma announced earlier this month it will hold elections in November, the first of its kind in two decades. Ministry spokeswoman Yu says Beijing hopes the balloting goes smoothly and “contributes to democracy and development.”