Time for tough love<\/p>\n
There are times when protocol and diplomatic doublespeak will not
\ndo, and there are times when soft persuasion and quiet engagement
\nneeds to be reinforced with strong words and benign intimidation.<\/p>\n
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been
\none of the most loyal and patient partners of the military regime
\nin Myanmar. The other nine members of the regional grouping have
\nendured censure and international scolding for its persistence in
\nsticking to the \"constructive engagement\" approach with Myanmar.
\nAt a time when Yangon is a pariah in the eyes of many around
\nworld, ASEAN members have not only acted neighborly, but
\nbrotherly toward a regime that remains mired in repressive dogma.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has maintained that it has no right to interfere with
\ndomestic politics in Myanmar, and that it is better to engage
\nYangon, while quietly prodding its military regime toward
\npolitical reform rather than completely isolating them. Economic
\ncooperation, it is believed, will lead to social development,
\nwhich in turn, will help ease political suppression.<\/p>\n
An argument has also made that human rights were not a
\nprerequisite for membership during Myanmar's admittance to ASEAN
\nin 1997, therefore the organization cannot make such demands now
\non the ruling regime.<\/p>\n
Under the deft rhetoric of ASEAN foreign ministers, these
\nopinions seemed persuasive at the time. After eight years of
\npolitical lethargy in Myanmar these arguments are no longer
\nconvincing. Neither are the constituents of ASEAN, who acquiesce
\nto such (il)logic.<\/p>\n
The fate of nations are not restricted to the physical
\nboundaries that define their citizenship. Humanity cannot be
\nbound by nationality or ideology. Our strategic negligence of
\nevents in Myanmar has not proved beneficial or encouraged
\nfundamental change.<\/p>\n
In other words, the political fate of the people of Myanmar
\nhas not improved as ASEAN has looked the other way.<\/p>\n
It can be likened to the next door neighbor that is physically
\nabusive toward his family. We acknowledge the privacy of each
\nindividual family -- chauvinistically speaking, \"a man's home is
\nhis castle\". But as civilized beings we have a moral obligation
\nthat overrides misrepresented notions of good neighborliness
\n(sovereignty).<\/p>\n
If abuse persists despite soft reminders, then tough words
\nshould be used. When all else fails then its time to take action.<\/p>\n
We believe that all else has failed.<\/p>\n
If Yangon wishes to continue its belligerence then it should
\ndo so on its own terms, by itself. It should not continue to
\ntaint the good name of ASEAN and its members' relationships with
\nrespective dialog partners.<\/p>\n
During the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines,
\nwhich began on Sunday, Myanmar officials displayed a complete
\nlack of consideration for the anxiety and stresses that the other
\nnine members have had to endure.<\/p>\n
Yangon will take over the rotating ASEAN chair, and in 2006,
\nit will host the annual ASEAN meeting, which is customarily
\nattended by its dialog partners. Both the European Union and the
\nUnited States have, understandably, said they would boycott such
\na meeting.<\/p>\n
ASEAN should not prostrate itself to hegemonic powers, but it
\nshould also carefully consider which causes are worth fighting
\nfor. Myanmar, simply put, is not worth it! By thumbing its nose
\nat demands for political openness, Yangon is jeopardizing the
\nwhole of ASEAN. The irony is that most of the demands made by the
\nEU and the U.S. are actually the same values which Indonesia
\naspires to.<\/p>\n
The start of a \"tough love\" policy should begin with an
\nultimatum for immediate political change as a condition of the
\nASEAN chairmanship. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
\nthe Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have as much to
\nlose by Myanmar's chairmanship as Yangon itself does.<\/p>\n
Finally, it may be good to ask Indonesian Minister of Foreign
\nAffairs Hassan Wirayuda to remind his Myanmar counterpart, U Nyan
\nWin, that being a member of a team means putting the greater good
\nof that team ahead of individual interests. If the latter
\nresponds negatively, then it can only be perceived as
\nconfirmation that Yangon is simply using ASEAN as a shield to
\nperpetuate its military regime.<\/p>\n
Thus, ASEAN should be encouraged to say \"no\" to Myanmar's
\nrecalcitrance, the way youngsters are encouraged to say \"no\" to
\ndrugs. If \"no\" is not chosen, in both cases, there will be
\nnegative consequences.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-for-tough-love-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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