U.N. Chief´s visit in Myanmar: How effective it will be?
Joe Fleishman
July 03, 2009
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has arrived in Myanmar to have talks with their military leaders. Secretary General is expected to lobby Myanmar´s Junta to release their democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mr. Ban Ki Moon´s visit is little surprising but not unexpected. Myanmar has schedule for election next year and Secretary General may request her release before the election. Yet the task is, in his word "Very difficult".
However, Myanmar has delayed San Suu Kyi´s trial until July. It is still unclear why they delayed the trial. Some believes keeping Secretary General´s visit ahead Myanmar authorities holdup her trial. The 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Ki is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest when an uninvited American man swam secretly to her lakeside home and stayed for two days. She has denied the allegation but could face five years in prison if convicted.
How much stretchy Myanmar´s military Junta will be? Well, nothing like very much significant will happen at this moment this is almost certain. But for now, if Secretary General will able to convince their military authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi - that will be treated as a great achievement. Although releasing Suu Kyi is not very easy.
International sanction failed to carry out any considerable affect on Myanmar. Myanmar´s junta has little concern on world opinion. They always ignored international demand.
Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in the world. Still they are coping with this international isolation. Some countries like China, North Korea actually continuing their co-operation with Myanmar authorities. Myanmar is a big market for Chinese products. So U.N. sanction is not effectively working in this impoverish country. Accordingly Myanmar has no such feelings to listen the world´s opinion.
But there is one person whom they care. She is their democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. They know she has the power to exterminate their military regime staying inside the country. New charge against her is focusing that same view point. Military dictators are not feeling safe from her. So just before their legal restriction of holding Suu Kyi for the maximum period in prison is over they brought new charge against her which they can use to keep her in jail for another five years. Therefore, it is unlikely that they will let her go so soon.
Still Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is doing what he has to do. He knows at least he can try and he is doing exactly the same. It´s a good effort try to release her before their election.
Some analysts also believe that Myanmar authority can release her if they face tougher sanction or to show some gesture of goodwill to Secretary General. But in that case they may convict her in the allegation literally disqualify her in the election and then they will release her in the ground of special mercy.
Even if she is convicted credibility Myanmar government will remain unchanged or will worsen. Aung San Suu Kyi´s personal image in her nation is much stronger than their junta is hoping.
Mr. Ban Ki Moon´s visit is little surprising but not unexpected. Myanmar has schedule for election next year and Secretary General may request her release before the election. Yet the task is, in his word "Very difficult".
However, Myanmar has delayed San Suu Kyi´s trial until July. It is still unclear why they delayed the trial. Some believes keeping Secretary General´s visit ahead Myanmar authorities holdup her trial. The 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Ki is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest when an uninvited American man swam secretly to her lakeside home and stayed for two days. She has denied the allegation but could face five years in prison if convicted.
How much stretchy Myanmar´s military Junta will be? Well, nothing like very much significant will happen at this moment this is almost certain. But for now, if Secretary General will able to convince their military authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi - that will be treated as a great achievement. Although releasing Suu Kyi is not very easy.
International sanction failed to carry out any considerable affect on Myanmar. Myanmar´s junta has little concern on world opinion. They always ignored international demand.
Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in the world. Still they are coping with this international isolation. Some countries like China, North Korea actually continuing their co-operation with Myanmar authorities. Myanmar is a big market for Chinese products. So U.N. sanction is not effectively working in this impoverish country. Accordingly Myanmar has no such feelings to listen the world´s opinion.
But there is one person whom they care. She is their democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. They know she has the power to exterminate their military regime staying inside the country. New charge against her is focusing that same view point. Military dictators are not feeling safe from her. So just before their legal restriction of holding Suu Kyi for the maximum period in prison is over they brought new charge against her which they can use to keep her in jail for another five years. Therefore, it is unlikely that they will let her go so soon.
Still Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is doing what he has to do. He knows at least he can try and he is doing exactly the same. It´s a good effort try to release her before their election.
Some analysts also believe that Myanmar authority can release her if they face tougher sanction or to show some gesture of goodwill to Secretary General. But in that case they may convict her in the allegation literally disqualify her in the election and then they will release her in the ground of special mercy.
Even if she is convicted credibility Myanmar government will remain unchanged or will worsen. Aung San Suu Kyi´s personal image in her nation is much stronger than their junta is hoping.
Print
Email
