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Myanmar: Allies hold the key

IT’S good news that the UN envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, was able to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, who’s under house arrest in Yangon. He has also held talks with leaders of the military junta. There had been a growing concern within the international community — outraged at the violence perpetrated by the authoritarian regime against pro-democracy demonstrators, including thousands of monks — that the junta would prevent the envoy from meeting Suu Kyi. There has been an information blackout insofar as the fate of political detainees is concerned. Reports trickling in from the crisis-ridden state indicate that monks who are supporting a movement for democracy in the country continue to bear the brunt of a brutal military crackdown.

In addition to UN-brokered peace efforts and international sanctions, Myanmar’s neighbours, particularly China and India should take a more proactive role in resolving the crisis in the country, where all attempts at bringing about democratic reforms have been thwarted over the past few decades. Both India and China have substantial economic ties with Myanmar. In fact, Myanmar is often referred to as the “political satellite” of China, its main trading partner. Hence, the international community is pinning its hope on the Communist regime to exert its influence on the junta to facilitate a smooth transfer of powers to civilians. Lending a helping hand to the troubled nation will also give China an opportunity to silence its critics who say that the Communist state backs oppressive regimes.

The junta has so far ignored calls to put an end to its reign of terror. It is hoped that putting their economic interests aside, Myanmar’s neighbours will be able to make the regime end its violent crackdown against mass uprising and ensure democratic reforms that are long overdue.