The difficulty with Burma

Events in Burma (Myanmar) continue to take one step forward, two steps back. A Japanese offer of aid, accompanied by liberal political reform, attracted initial interest from Rangoon. Suddenly, the military dictators have hit out at the offer and the nation's democratic activists.

The most frustrating block in dealing with Burma is that the country has no discernible, definable program of reform. Indonesia is attempting to reconcile its past, Singapore is building a future hooked to high technology and Thailand is struggling to put a strong democracy in place. In Burma, the only evident plan is to keep the ruling generals in office.

The lack of national policy makes it almost impossible to deal with Burma in any rational manner. Burma's dealings with other countries are usually unpredictable, often uncomfortable, chronically frustrating and almost always baffling. The Japanese have discovered this again, in a new and serious campaign to bring Burma into the international community. A two-pronged effort from the Japanese government and the private sector won initial Burmese encouragement. Then, suddenly, the regime turned -- not only on the Japanese talks but also on the country's democratic forces, who were not even participants in the diplomacy... .

Burma has lobbied for a decade to join and to work with the world community. The regime is now a member of ASEAN and welcomed -- if reluctantly on occasion -- into international forums. But it flatly refuses, rejects and reviles suggestions that it work within generally accepted diplomatic norms.

In return for public efforts at helping Burma, Japan has been attacked and unwittingly has further endangered Burmese democrats. No one is trying to dispute the dictatorship's claims to Burmese independence. But it would be better if Burma faced the world with a clear and acceptable policy, so that fruitful contacts with Burma could be made. It would be better for Burmese if their dictators would give them a chance to participate in shaping the future of their nation.

-- The Bangkok Post