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The Straits Times - editorial
- Subject: The Straits Times - editorial
- From: kyi@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 09:04:00
MAY 23 1997 [Image]
Myanmar has to earn its keep
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WITH depressing regularity, and deepening embarrassment to Asean,
the Myanmar military authorities have again begun arresting
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) members for
presumed attempts to disturb the nation's "peace, tranquility and
stability". These round-ups have become an annual May ritual. The
NLD's elected legislators and supporters from all over the
country usually gather in Yangon at this time of the year to mark
the May 27 1990 election that the party won, a victory which
turned out to be hollow because the generals who have long
controlled the state refused to let it take office. Last May,
some 260 members were arrested as they readied themselves for the
anniversary and a party congress. And once again this time, the
ruling junta which calls itself the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (Slorc) has shown how little it thinks of
Asean and wider Asian opinion by resorting to detention instead
of engaging the opposition in a process of reconciliation. NLD
sources report that some 60 members have been arrested in their
homes or were cut off in the last few days as they headed for the
capital from the provinces. More arrests may follow as the
seventh anniversary on Tuesday nears.
The Slorc says the planned NLD assembly at the home of its
leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is a move to create "unnecessary
problems" and force the government "to take strong measures
against them so that the anti-government propaganda can be played
in their favour". Of course, overt demonstrations of organised
resistance are proscribed and NLD die-hards can expect to face
the full wrath of the law. But Slorc deludes itself too by
categorising these gatherings as a public-order matter. There are
graver matters of political enfranchisement and the country's
future path at stake. Myanmar will remain in limbo unless the
clash of wills is replaced by a willingness to compromise. Alas,
Slorc has never cared much about its bad notices internationally,
and has been derisive of the economic sanctions imposed by the
United States.
This is where the members of Asean, which Myanmar expects to join
this year, should exercise peer pressure on Slorc. At the least,
this can be done by expressing distaste at what is going on and
urging speedy political reform, which the Slorc is committed to.
Constructive engagement must remain as Asean's approach to
dealing with the junta, but it must be made clear that this was
never intended as carte blanche to deny the Myanmar people their
popular will. Asean's charter obliges members not to interfere in
each other's political system. Slorc has gained hugely from this
disclaimer to take account of members' differing governing
philosophies. But Myanmar should not be permitted to shelter
under this cover in perpetuity.
As Asean membership for Myanmar is deemed a foregone conclusion
-- Asean foreign ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 31 are
said to be ready to decide on the inclusion of Cambodia and Laos
as well -- the Slorc generals must be apprised of two facts. Far
the more important is that membership is not to be misinterpreted
as Asean forebearance (or worse, tacit approval) for whatever
improprieties the Slorc might inflict on a political opposition
which won 80 per cent of the seats in the 1990 election.
Accepting as a member a country which now numbers among a handful
of regimes ostracised by much of the world will come at no small
cost to Asean's prestige. Myanmar should be left in no doubt of
that. Secondly, its conduct in its internal affairs should be
consistent with Asean conventions for decency. This is no
window-dressing. It is in a manner contractual in that the US,
the European Union and other dialogue partners of Asean's can
boycott consultations and collaborations with the grouping on
what is judged as the unacceptable behaviour of one constituent
member. Myanmar should not bring Asean into disrepute. It has a
period of probation to get past -- and Asean can and must set the
toughest compliance standards.
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Copyright © 1997 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.