Policy change in order on Burma.

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		Policy change in order on Burma
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	Australia's attempts to discourage close contact between ASEAN 
and the Burmese dictatorship have been a failure. ASEAN has consistently 
rejected the human rights-based advocacy of Australia, the United States 
and Europe. ASEAN members prefer a policy of constructive engagement. 
This means that, regionally, Australia has been isolated on this issue, 
despite strong moral support from Burma's champion of democracy and 
leader of the National League for Democracy, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.

	Last week Burma was granted observer status in ASEAN. Yesterday 
it was admitted to membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Eventually it 
will achieve full membership of ASEAN, a regional grouping of increasing 
importance to Australian trade and foreign policy. The political lesson 
is that to achieve its regional objectives Australia must have regional 
partners to work with. The time has come to reassess policy towards Burma.

	The South East Asian views is that Burma, following the precedent 
of South Korea and Taiwan, will be driven by the dynamics of internal 
economic development to move towards a democratic political system. This 
view holds that the military-ruled State Law and Order Restoration 
Coincil will not be pressured into relinquishing power by economic 
sanctions - and that such bullying might make Burma look more towards 
China than ASEAN in pursuit of its regional aspirations. This view also 
allows Asian companies to fill vacancies left by a number of European and 
American companies that have been pressured by their governments or 
western consumers into withdrawing from Burma. The reality, on the other 
hand, is that nobody should delude themselves into thinking that 
improvements in Burma will come easily or quickly.

	There will be an awkwardnwss about whatever position Australia 
adopts towards Burma. Embracing most of the ASEAN policy - while 
maintaining a higher emphais than ASEAN on the human rights issue - would 
serve our regional interests and send a message to Australian companies 
that they need no longer shy away from involvement in the Burmese 
economy. At the same time, such moves would draw protests from human 
rights lobbies, not only in Australia but also in other western 
countries, where the mementum for sanctions against Burma appears to be 
still building (despite the European Union's decision over the past few 
days to soften its objections to Burma's admission to ASEAN forums).

	Australia does not have the power to relieve the oppression of 
Burma. Neither has our diplomacy been sucessful in dissuading the region 
from engagement with the SLORC. Australians place a premium on human 
rights, but the nation has to recognise the limits to what can be 
achieved. Australian foreign policy must be realistic, and be managed 
with the aim of furthering the nation's interests. Present policy has had 
no impact on the SLORC, and has proved ineffective with ASEAN. Comtinuing 
with it serves no realistic purpose but could come to damage Australia's 
regional interests. A review is in order.

[ The Australian, Editorial, 24 July 1996].

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