Bkk Post-Rangoon's actions warrant

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Subject: Bkk Post-Rangoon's actions warrant sanctions

Postbag
Rangoon's actions warrant sanctions

Let's face it. The problem of Burma is really much deeper, less simple and
more international than most people assume.

Bypassing the superficial and simplistic levels, constructive engagement has
been tried (really not in good faith) and has failed. It is now badly
discredited and has been called "increasingly bizarre". The idea that drug
smuggling, refugee troubles and forest fire smog are mere "internal matters"
is nonsense.

It is generally accepted that Slorc (SPDC) is reprehensible and change and
peace are necessary. The debate between human rights and Slorc's violent
intransigence begins to seem like a dispute between intelligent, sensible
compassion and senseless, stupid brutality.

But there is another, more thoughtful debate: Pro-democracy human rights
groups demand to isolate Burma and pressure Slorc to step down, or at least
open a dialogue with the NLD and minorities or so-called insurgents. But
more conservative businessmen insist: "Sincere friendship and promises of
rewards will encourage the Myanmar (Burma) government to change and open up.
Isolation is counter-productive and may make Slorc worse. Good business and
economic progress will help and result in political development, democracy
and prosperity for (almost) all. Asean to the rescue, but politically we
will not interfere."Interfere is a smear word contrived to associate human
rights issues with rude, intrusive violation of privacy, knowing how
offensive it is to eastern Asian values. Unocal, Total and Mitsubishi are
major investors in Slorc and promote this propaganda to resist international
pressure and criticism. They even have professional lawyers composing
articulate, fortified, anti-sanction, pro-investment arguments. "Sanctions
are counter-productive. They hurt people, not regimes. Consider nearly four
decades of failed US sanctions against Cuba and other countries (ie, Libya,
Vietnam, Iran, Iraq)... their leaders remain entrenched," says a lawyerly
article signed by Unocal's president.

Aside from the question of what use constructive engagement is, the
comparison with Burma does not apply. None of these regimes have a strong,
active, organised, internal opposition, an internationally famous,

charismatic, courageous opposition leader like Aung San Suu Kyi.

Historically, sanctions are essentially sieges and most sieges have been
successful. Recent examples of successful sanctions are Nepal and South
Africa. Lately, Slorc has been extremely insecure. But however unpopular,
unwanted and hated, it is very actively supported in secret by their allies
in China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The former dictators Suharto and Ne Win are very close friends and clearly
act like regional godfathers. Slorc also avoided early bankruptcy by its
highly evident involvement in the drug trade. Khun Sa and other warlords
live in luxury, impunity and safety while illicit money laundering accounts
for a large part of Slorc's mysteriously large income, and 45 to 65 percent
of the national budget goes to the military.

To call the problems mere national, internal affairs is another absurd myth.
International sanctions will thwart Slorc's survival tactics and are an
alternative to "open warfare". They are the only way to teach Slorc lessons
in civilised conduct.

Marilyn Vanderheyden and Jim E. Lucas