ASEAN Burma policy not working

The first anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house detention has signaled the end of a 12-month period in which little appears to have changed in Burma.

The junta remains entrenched in power, the National Convention which was set up to draft a new constitution remains in recess and there is no sign of the military government or opposition bridging the huge division that remains between them.

Even Suu Kyi's so-called freedom bears a remarkable resemblance to her detention. Apart from an open invitation to leave the country, the junta has refused to allow her to travel far from her front gate or even meet her husband.

But after one year of discouraging political stasis, there are hints of movement, if not in Rangoon then certainly on the international stage. The hope, once again, is that this will lead to progress -- and not a showdown.

Over the last week, ASEAN acknowledged for the first time that its policy of constructive engagement was not working. Still, in the words of Thai Foreign Minister Amnuay Virawan, the group would not abandon the policy, but redouble its efforts and make it more constructive.

There are also growing signs of Washington's readiness to enforce economic sanctions against Burma if approved by the U.S. Congress. U.S. President Bill Clinton called sanctions a useful tool last week and Secretary of State Warren Christopher vowed to pursue the idea with Asian states.

In Europe, the outrage over Burma has reached new levels following the death of James Leander Nichols, a former honorary consul and representative of Norway, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland, who died in jail last month.

Norway charges he was tortured to death after being imprisoned for possession of unlicensed fax machines in his home. Nichols was a close friend of Suu Kyi.

It is now becoming difficult for ASEAN to say that their passive implementation of the policy is not supporting the Rangoon junta. ASEAN recognition of the junta and its adherence to its policy of non-interference in the affairs of a foreign country are trumpeted by Rangoon as proof of its legitimacy.

In truth, Rangoon's only legitimacy has come from the barrel of a gun. If ASEAN wants to demonstrate its respect for the kind of power that comes from a ballot box it must follow through on its vow to step up the pressure on Rangoon.

It will have a good opportunity to do so, when Rangoon's leaders attend an ASEAN ministerial meeting in Jakarta with official observer status.

-- The Nation, Bangkok