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The Straits Times - editorial



     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.