Yangon defies world opinion

Burma's (Myanmar) military government is increasingly edgy ahead of the 10th anniversary of its bloody crackdown on the democracy movement on August 8. It fears democratic and antigovernment groups calling for an uprising. It has set up roadblocks and placed armed patrols on bridges and key intersections. Most seriously of all, however, it has prevented opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from leaving the capital to visit provincial supporters. It kept her short of food and water for five days when she refused to turn back and remained in her car in protest. And finally, inexcusably, it used force to drag her back to the capital.

By its own previous standards, these actions might seem mild to the Burmese junta. This has never been a democratic or decent regime. But its behavior is now not only objectionable, but a deliberate defiance of world opinion. It is also rather stupid. By choosing to maltreat the country's best known figure, perhaps the most important icon of beleaguered democracy movements worldwide, it has brought on itself a thunderous chorus of condemnation.

Yet instead of taking the hint, Burma's leaders have chosen to blame Aung San Suu Kyi for deliberately provoking international condemnation. It is time they listened to the advice of their detractors, especially the growing chorus of critics among ASEAN nations.

International opinion does matter, not least because of the damage Burma's pariah status will do to the economy at a time when Asian countries cannot make up for business withdrawn by the West.

Burma would be a healthier, wealthier and more decent place, if the military stepped aside and allowed a civilian, democratically elected government to take over. The military has already proved it cannot restore economic prosperity to a country it has misruled and impoverished since it took power in 1962. It is time the National League for Democracy was given the chance.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong