DEBATE ABOUT AID TO MYANMAR

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Unofficial Translation

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Newspaper), March 24, 1998

DEBATE ABOUT AID TO MYANMAR

The government decided to resume partly the Yen loan to Myanmar, which
had been suspended since the coup d=E9tat in 1988. There are strong
criticism to this resumption both strong criticism to this resumption
both domestically and internationally, because the military government
and Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of democratization movements in
Myanmar are still confronting each other's. We heard opinions from Mr.
Muto who appealed dialogue to the military government recently and Mr.
Steinberg who is taking part in American policy to Myanmar.

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(Listener: 	Masahiko Sasajime, Political Department of the Yomiuri

		Shimbun.
		Akinori Uchida, Washington Branch Office.)

Mr. David Steinberg

		Dean of Asia Faculty of Georgetown University, U.S.A.=20
		Taking part of Asian matters at the American State=20
		Department
		Specialty of South Korea and Myanmar.
		69 years old.
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Question:	How do you evaluate the Japanese resumption of Yen
load?

Mr. David Steinberg:	Japanese resumption of aid had to be under the
condition of political and economic reforms by negotiation with
Myanmar Government. It is consistent with the standard of Japanese
ODA. We do not oppose humanitarian aid but the airport project is not
humanitarian purpose. We can not justify it.

Japan is the largest aid donor country to Myanmar, and has a big
influence upon Myanmar. But the question is how to use that influence
for reformation of Myanmar. I am afraid there were some pressure from
Japanese economic field behind this resumption of aid.

Question:	American State Department said only "We do not support
big scaled resumption of aid. "It can be taken as tacit admission and
objection. Which is true?

Mr. David Steinberg:	This is my personal opinion. The State
Department does not welcome the aid but at the same time it
acknowledge that Japan perform it's own role based on its national
interest. American government is in a difficult position now. America
needs Japan which will became the key country of the basic policy to
Asia. On the other hand, America was isolated because it's opposition
to Myanmar's joining to ASEAN.

Question:	In American policy, the human rights is so serve and
relentless. Do you think such policy is effective?

Mr. David Steinberg:	In most cases, it was not effective. Trouble
is that once we apply sanctions, lifting it is quite difficult. Most
of American Congress members do not agree sanction (on economic and
immigration) to Myanmar but they do not want to be regarded as
supporters of the military government, so they do not make any move.
As a matter of fact, only 6 or 7 Congress members who are taking firm
attitude to against Myanmar are taking lead of so-called
"Silent-Majority". The reason why Americans can keep themselves as men
of virtue is because the American national interest is small (compare
with China which has human-rights problems too.) I don't think it is
the good diplomatic policy.

Question:	We may say something on the policy to China after the
Tienanmen Incident, the people often says that Japan plays the role of
"The Sun" and America plays "North Wind".

Mr. David Steinberg:	Yes, I heard that fable before. Anyway, we are
expecting Japan continues dialouge with Myanmar, not on front stage
but rather behind the curtain and has Myanmar understand that the
political reformation will be resulted to their final interest after
all.

Japan gave $2.2 billions of aid to Myanmar till 1988 (When the
military government was established). The aid failed economically, but
successed politically because Japan could make a close tie with
Myanmar. From now on, Japan should use this close relationship for
promotion of political and economic reforms. Although Mrs. Aung San
Suu Kyi released from her house arrest, but there are no progress at
all until now. Japan should define that aid in further and progress of
reform is linked together directly, and set a definite target. Also
Japan should cooperate with other countries which are giving aid to
Myanmar and take the leadership.

Question:	It seems to us that there are 3 different groups in
America; one is human rights organizations and the Congress demanding
to the government more firm attitude. Another is economic field taking
soft and flexible attitude. Then, the government itself in between
above the two groups.


Mr. David Steinberg:	That's right. The economic field is claiming
that if Myanmar's market economy become stronger, then it will result
in democratization. But this is not correct. Look at South Korea
between 1961 and 1987 when it was under rule of the military
government and the martial law or Taiwan before 1992, then you can
understand why this idea of economic field is wrong. However, it is
true that from the long-term view, the investment to Myanmar is
desirable. From this viewpoint, I can not agree with the sanction.


Question:	From now on how America and Japan should cope with
Myanmar?

Mr. David Steinberg:	First of all, America must send ambassador to
Myanmar to build a foundation for dialouge. Because America is
actually negotiating with North Korea which is far more a totalitarian
state. After all, it will be in the American interest. Secondly,
America should use NGOs more for training engineers and specialists in
the fields of agriculture, welfare, education and others.

to be continued

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