How Burma's generals think

FE Team | Published: November 10, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

It's always hard to know what military dictators really think. So it's worth examining closely a recent public statement by one of Burma's leaders on the occasion of United Nations Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's visit to the country. There is some interesting information between the lines.
In a transcript of parts of their conversation, published in the state-run New Light of Myanmar Tuesday, Burma's Minister of Information Kyaw Hsan takes Mr. Gambari and the West to task for imposing sanctions in the wake of last month's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, including Buddhist monks.
Citing Burma's "subtle" and "very complicated" history, the minister says that the government is exerting "endeavors for national development and improvement of the food, clothing and shelter needs of the people." As for the protests, he suggests that "true monks" didn't participate, and that "law and order" have been restored. Of the 2,927 people detained in connection with the marches, he adds, 2,836 have been released. For that, the minister continues, Burma expects financial sanctions imposed by Western nations to be lifted:
"If we receive assistance from international organizations including the U.N. and developed nations, our development pace will gain greater momentum and democratic reforms will reach their goal sooner."
Our translation: Financial sanctions are working. The U.S. imposed a targeted asset freeze on 26 individuals and companies tied to the Burmese regime in September and October. The EU followed suit by imposing import sanctions on timber and gems from Burma, which supplies 90% of the world's rubies. Australia, for its part, announced financial sanctions against 418 individuals late last month. Little wonder it's a "must" for the Burmese generals to get these measures lifted.
As for Burma's allies and others who aren't taking any real action, they're now useful propaganda tools for the regime. The minister cites the stance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and "neighboring countries" (read: India, Thailand and China) as proof that "constructive engagement is better than sanctions."
That might be exactly what the U.N. wants to hear. According to the statement, Mr. Gambari assured the generals that certain countries don't support sanctions, and said the U.N. didn't oppose the junta's democracy "road map," but wanted more "inclusiveness" and a timetable for the process.
There is no way of knowing how accurately Mr. Gambari's comments have been rendered here. But they are disappointingly consistent with Turtle Bay's previous supplications to the regime. If recent events teach anything, it's that the junta isn't swayed by talk, only by action.

â€”The Wall Street Journal