ASEAN Burma policy not working

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