Global Shortage Of Rose Tinted Glasses
By our correspondent in Beijing
Factories in China are stepping up production of rose tinted glasses following a global shortage in recent months. China is traditionally the main manufacturer of rose tinted glasses, with the main customers being in Brussels, as well as supplying governments and the academic community.
Factory owners are blaming increased demand from Burma and Burma related industries for the shortage. “We have always had a hardcore of loyal Burma related customers,” said one factory owner, “but in recent months demand has dramatically increased, and we have had to add an extra shift. Existing customers, especially one office in Indonesia, have increased their orders, but we now have a lot of new customers all over the world.”
The owner of another factory which has also stepped up production to meet extra demand also blamed Burma for the shortage. “We have never had much demand for rose tinted glasses for Burma related industries. Our main customers have been the UN, but we also have regular customers in relation to Zimbabwe, and many other developing countries.”
Some health experts are concerned by the increase in the use of rose tinted glasses. A spokesman for the International Society for Opticians warned: “Too much use of rose tinted glasses can damage your sight, and in the long term could even leave you blind to what is going on around you.”
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Burma Tha Din Network is today publishing this leaked extract from a Fire Service report on what took place at a Foreign Ministry before it was destroyed by fire. As will become clear when you read this, the diplomat was a Burma Desk Officer. To protect our sources we cannot name which country he was from.
FIRE SERVICE - CAUSE OF FIRE REPORT XXXXX SERVICE. XXX XXXXXXX
NGO worker arrives at Foreign Ministry. IS met at reception and taken to the diplomats office for the meeeting.
While passing kitchen on way to meeting in office.
NGO Visitor: Sorry, but there are bare electric cables next to that leaking water cooler. Is it safe?
Diplomat: well obviously it isn’t ideal, and we are considering calling an electrician. Ah here, my office is the next room.
5 minutes later:
NGO Visitor: I can smell smoke, can you smell anything?
Diplomat: No
NGO Visitor: are you sure you can’t smell anything?
Diplomat: Yes. Now as I was saying...
Another 5 minutes have passed:
NGO Visitor: I really can smell smoke quite strongly. I think you should check it out.
Diplomat: There may be a very slight smell, but I am sure there is nothing to worry about. I do appreciate hearing your opinion though.
Another 3 minutes pass
NGO Visitor: I am getting really worried, I can see smoke coming through the door there.
Diplomat: Hmmm yes, well obviously I am concerned, but I am sure it’s nothing to worry about.
NGO Visitor: Nothing to worry about! There is a fire!
Diplomat: Ah now, let’s not be too hasty, we haven’t actually seen any flames.
NGO Visitor: What? You don’t need to see flames to know there is a fire? It’s obvious. Those cables in the kitchen must have caught fire.
Diplomat: We don’t have all the facts, there may be a fire, but we don’t know for sure.
NGO Visitor: Well go and have a look!
Diplomat: It isn’t that easy, there are contractors hired to take care of communal areas, I am really only able to make decisions about what happens in my own office.
NGO Visitor: This is crazy, call the fire brigade!
Diplomat: That is quite a dramatic proposal, I am not sure that now is the right time for that.
NGO Visitor: So what are you going to do? We are in real danger!
Diplomat: Now now. Let’s not get emotional. I’ll speak to some colleagues, sound them out, and see what the consensus is on what should be done.
NGO Visitor: You are going to sit there and talk while we might burn to death. It’s getting hard to breathe there is so much smoke! You need to sound the alarm, and call the fire service!
Diplomat: I am just going to make some calls. I appreciate this is an emotional issue must we must try to keep calm and be rational and realistic.
Five more minutes pass, the room is filling with smoke and they have to sit on the floor to avoid it.
NGO Visitor: Well!?
Diplomat: Well it is clear that there is a problem, but calling the fire brigade it not as easy as it sounds, the phone call might not get through properly, so a first step might be to try a fire extinguisher.
NGO Visitor: It is too late for that! Look, there are flames at the door now, and the fire extinguishers are in the corridor. We can’t get to them.
Diplomat: Yes, that is disappointing. We are going to have to monitor this situation very carefully.
NGO Visitor: Monitor! You need to act. Set off the fire alarm, call the damn fire service!
Diplomat: Let’s be realistic about what we are able to do. Now look, there is a glass of water on the desk closest to the door. Once the fire reaches that it may put the fire out. Let’s wait and see.
NGO Visitor: A glass of water can’t possibly put out a fire that big. If you won’t sound the alarm I will. FIRE! FIRE!
Fire starts to creep into the office. The glass of water shatters in the heat, and keeps advancing.
Diplomat: I do agree that it this is a very serious situation, which obviously couldn’t have been anticipated.(Pulls lever of fire alarm on the wall)
NGO Visitor: At last, how long before the fire service get here?
Diplomat: Ah, just because I have sounded the fire alarm, it doesn’t necessarily follow that the fire service will come.
NGO Visitor: I don’t believe this, I’m using my mobile to call for help.
Diplomat: Of course if you think that is wise, but sometimes one just has to accept that only so much can be done, and we did everything we could.
NGO Visitor: You did not! You could have prevented this!
Diplomat: I really don’t think that is fair. There are offices, albeit smaller ones, closer to the kitchen than mine, and really they should have done something about this.
NGO Visitor: We are trapped now, we are going to die!
Diplomat: Well it’s possible, I must concede, but let’s wait and see. Our development ministry is next door, and I am sure that when the fire dies down, they’ll help clean up the mess.
NGO Visitor: That’ll be too late for us! We are going to die, and it is your fault for not doing anything to prevent this.
Diplomat: I wouldn’t look at it that way. I did talk to others about the situation, and did sound the alarm, I have done everything possible, given the difficulties we faced.
FIRE SERVICE XXXXXXX - NO FURTHER ACTION.
FIRE SERVICE - CAUSE OF FIRE REPORT XXXXX SERVICE. XXX XXXXXXX
NGO worker arrives at Foreign Ministry. IS met at reception and taken to the diplomats office for the meeeting.
While passing kitchen on way to meeting in office.
NGO Visitor: Sorry, but there are bare electric cables next to that leaking water cooler. Is it safe?
Diplomat: well obviously it isn’t ideal, and we are considering calling an electrician. Ah here, my office is the next room.
5 minutes later:
NGO Visitor: I can smell smoke, can you smell anything?
Diplomat: No
NGO Visitor: are you sure you can’t smell anything?
Diplomat: Yes. Now as I was saying...
Another 5 minutes have passed:
NGO Visitor: I really can smell smoke quite strongly. I think you should check it out.
Diplomat: There may be a very slight smell, but I am sure there is nothing to worry about. I do appreciate hearing your opinion though.
Another 3 minutes pass
NGO Visitor: I am getting really worried, I can see smoke coming through the door there.
Diplomat: Hmmm yes, well obviously I am concerned, but I am sure it’s nothing to worry about.
NGO Visitor: Nothing to worry about! There is a fire!
Diplomat: Ah now, let’s not be too hasty, we haven’t actually seen any flames.
NGO Visitor: What? You don’t need to see flames to know there is a fire? It’s obvious. Those cables in the kitchen must have caught fire.
Diplomat: We don’t have all the facts, there may be a fire, but we don’t know for sure.
NGO Visitor: Well go and have a look!
Diplomat: It isn’t that easy, there are contractors hired to take care of communal areas, I am really only able to make decisions about what happens in my own office.
NGO Visitor: This is crazy, call the fire brigade!
Diplomat: That is quite a dramatic proposal, I am not sure that now is the right time for that.
NGO Visitor: So what are you going to do? We are in real danger!
Diplomat: Now now. Let’s not get emotional. I’ll speak to some colleagues, sound them out, and see what the consensus is on what should be done.
NGO Visitor: You are going to sit there and talk while we might burn to death. It’s getting hard to breathe there is so much smoke! You need to sound the alarm, and call the fire service!
Diplomat: I am just going to make some calls. I appreciate this is an emotional issue must we must try to keep calm and be rational and realistic.
Five more minutes pass, the room is filling with smoke and they have to sit on the floor to avoid it.
NGO Visitor: Well!?
Diplomat: Well it is clear that there is a problem, but calling the fire brigade it not as easy as it sounds, the phone call might not get through properly, so a first step might be to try a fire extinguisher.
NGO Visitor: It is too late for that! Look, there are flames at the door now, and the fire extinguishers are in the corridor. We can’t get to them.
Diplomat: Yes, that is disappointing. We are going to have to monitor this situation very carefully.
NGO Visitor: Monitor! You need to act. Set off the fire alarm, call the damn fire service!
Diplomat: Let’s be realistic about what we are able to do. Now look, there is a glass of water on the desk closest to the door. Once the fire reaches that it may put the fire out. Let’s wait and see.
NGO Visitor: A glass of water can’t possibly put out a fire that big. If you won’t sound the alarm I will. FIRE! FIRE!
Fire starts to creep into the office. The glass of water shatters in the heat, and keeps advancing.
Diplomat: I do agree that it this is a very serious situation, which obviously couldn’t have been anticipated.(Pulls lever of fire alarm on the wall)
NGO Visitor: At last, how long before the fire service get here?
Diplomat: Ah, just because I have sounded the fire alarm, it doesn’t necessarily follow that the fire service will come.
NGO Visitor: I don’t believe this, I’m using my mobile to call for help.
Diplomat: Of course if you think that is wise, but sometimes one just has to accept that only so much can be done, and we did everything we could.
NGO Visitor: You did not! You could have prevented this!
Diplomat: I really don’t think that is fair. There are offices, albeit smaller ones, closer to the kitchen than mine, and really they should have done something about this.
NGO Visitor: We are trapped now, we are going to die!
Diplomat: Well it’s possible, I must concede, but let’s wait and see. Our development ministry is next door, and I am sure that when the fire dies down, they’ll help clean up the mess.
NGO Visitor: That’ll be too late for us! We are going to die, and it is your fault for not doing anything to prevent this.
Diplomat: I wouldn’t look at it that way. I did talk to others about the situation, and did sound the alarm, I have done everything possible, given the difficulties we faced.
FIRE SERVICE XXXXXXX - NO FURTHER ACTION.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Releasing Rapists Will Help Political Process in Burma Says EU and ASEAN
From our correspondent in Madrid
The EU and ASEAN have called for the release of rapists, murderers, paedophiles and thieves in a joint statement issued at a Ministerial Summit in Madrid. They say that releasing “those under detention” will “contribute to making the elections more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political transition.”
The surprise shift in policy is part of a new policy of engagement by the EU, which is restarting the same dialogue which it tried for 14 years until 2002, during which time the human rights and political environment deteriorated, rather than improved.
The statement did not explain why the EU and ASEAN think paedophiles and other criminals have an important role to play in the political process in Burma. In the past they have called for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
It is thought to be the first time the two blocs, representing 37 countries between them, have told a country that it should release all criminals in its jails, and seems to be at odds with wording in the same statement which says: “Ministers affirmed their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar.”
Analysts have dismissed suggestions that the wording is a mistake caused by the two blocs not wanting to use the words ‘political prisoners’, arguing that it is inconceivable that the EU would behave in such an unprincipled way, and also argue that even if they did want to downplay the seriousness of human rights abuses in Burma, as some activists have alleged, there is no way they would make such a stupid gaffe.
So far there has been no response from the junta in Burma. It is not known how many criminals are held in Burmese jails.
The EU and ASEAN have called for the release of rapists, murderers, paedophiles and thieves in a joint statement issued at a Ministerial Summit in Madrid. They say that releasing “those under detention” will “contribute to making the elections more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political transition.”
The surprise shift in policy is part of a new policy of engagement by the EU, which is restarting the same dialogue which it tried for 14 years until 2002, during which time the human rights and political environment deteriorated, rather than improved.
The statement did not explain why the EU and ASEAN think paedophiles and other criminals have an important role to play in the political process in Burma. In the past they have called for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
It is thought to be the first time the two blocs, representing 37 countries between them, have told a country that it should release all criminals in its jails, and seems to be at odds with wording in the same statement which says: “Ministers affirmed their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar.”
Analysts have dismissed suggestions that the wording is a mistake caused by the two blocs not wanting to use the words ‘political prisoners’, arguing that it is inconceivable that the EU would behave in such an unprincipled way, and also argue that even if they did want to downplay the seriousness of human rights abuses in Burma, as some activists have alleged, there is no way they would make such a stupid gaffe.
So far there has been no response from the junta in Burma. It is not known how many criminals are held in Burmese jails.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Failure to Arrest Serial Killer Sparks Row in USA
Failure to Arrest Serial Killer Sparks Row in USA
From our correspondent in New York
A row is growing in the USA over how to deal with a serial killer who has been active for 22 years and is thought to have killed thousands of people across the country.
Relatives of the victims and many NGOs are demanding that police investigate the crimes committed by the serial killer, with a goal of arresting and prosecuting him. In addition to murder, crimes committed by the serial killer are thought to include rape, arson, torture, mutilations, paedophilia, kidnappings and theft.
However, police forces in the US are divided over how to approach the serial killer, with none even publicly admitting that what is taking place are crimes that require police to intervene.
Some police forces argue that as the killings have taken place inside the killers home, it is a private matter and they cannot intervene, even though police standing outside the house while killings are taking place can hear victims screaming for help.
Other police forces argue that investigating and imprisoning the killer would be counter-productive, and instead a less confrontational approach should be taken, befriending the killer.
"It is possible that the killer has no friends, and feels lonely, we should let him join local social clubs, said one police force in the same area as the killer."Once he has made friends with more normal people, maybe some normality will rub off on him.”
However, one ex-police officer, who now claims to be an expert on serial killers, blamed the victims and their friends for the ongoing crisis, saying how they responded to the killings, demanding justice, is the real problem. "The killer is forced to keep killing because people keep saying he must stop. My personal view is that taking the killer on holiday would pretty much solve the problem."
The killer’s confidence that he can act with impunity seems to have grown in recent years, leading to an increase in the murders he carries out. Bodies of victims, some with brutal injuries and even beheaded, are left in the killer’s front garden for all to see, but still police have failed to act.
In desperation, NGOs have been conducting their own investigations, compiling evidence in the hope that presented with the facts police will feel compelled to act. So far however, police have ignored the evidence.
NGOs believe that the evidence they have compiled, even with their limited resources, is more than enough to justify a full scale investigation. Many crimes have been committed which break local and national laws.
"Unlike some serial killers, who prefer a particular type of victim, this killer is more indiscriminate, but clearly has a preference for ethnic minorities," said one NGO worker.
Federal police, who some argue have a legal duty to investigate the killer, have also avoided intervening in the case. They say that it would take a Council Committee vote before they can intervene.
NGOs express frustration at this, saying friends and neighbours of the killer are on the council, and that these neighbours even have joint business investments with the killer.
NGOs are now calling on US President Obama to intervene and show leadership, but so far he has remained silent.
While the debate over who should do what and when continues, so do the killings, several victims in the past month have been children.
From our correspondent in New York
A row is growing in the USA over how to deal with a serial killer who has been active for 22 years and is thought to have killed thousands of people across the country.
Relatives of the victims and many NGOs are demanding that police investigate the crimes committed by the serial killer, with a goal of arresting and prosecuting him. In addition to murder, crimes committed by the serial killer are thought to include rape, arson, torture, mutilations, paedophilia, kidnappings and theft.
However, police forces in the US are divided over how to approach the serial killer, with none even publicly admitting that what is taking place are crimes that require police to intervene.
Some police forces argue that as the killings have taken place inside the killers home, it is a private matter and they cannot intervene, even though police standing outside the house while killings are taking place can hear victims screaming for help.
Other police forces argue that investigating and imprisoning the killer would be counter-productive, and instead a less confrontational approach should be taken, befriending the killer.
"It is possible that the killer has no friends, and feels lonely, we should let him join local social clubs, said one police force in the same area as the killer."Once he has made friends with more normal people, maybe some normality will rub off on him.”
However, one ex-police officer, who now claims to be an expert on serial killers, blamed the victims and their friends for the ongoing crisis, saying how they responded to the killings, demanding justice, is the real problem. "The killer is forced to keep killing because people keep saying he must stop. My personal view is that taking the killer on holiday would pretty much solve the problem."
The killer’s confidence that he can act with impunity seems to have grown in recent years, leading to an increase in the murders he carries out. Bodies of victims, some with brutal injuries and even beheaded, are left in the killer’s front garden for all to see, but still police have failed to act.
In desperation, NGOs have been conducting their own investigations, compiling evidence in the hope that presented with the facts police will feel compelled to act. So far however, police have ignored the evidence.
NGOs believe that the evidence they have compiled, even with their limited resources, is more than enough to justify a full scale investigation. Many crimes have been committed which break local and national laws.
"Unlike some serial killers, who prefer a particular type of victim, this killer is more indiscriminate, but clearly has a preference for ethnic minorities," said one NGO worker.
Federal police, who some argue have a legal duty to investigate the killer, have also avoided intervening in the case. They say that it would take a Council Committee vote before they can intervene.
NGOs express frustration at this, saying friends and neighbours of the killer are on the council, and that these neighbours even have joint business investments with the killer.
NGOs are now calling on US President Obama to intervene and show leadership, but so far he has remained silent.
While the debate over who should do what and when continues, so do the killings, several victims in the past month have been children.
Monday, April 12, 2010
National League for Democracy Appeals to Next Generation of Activists
From our correspondent in Rangoon
Burma’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has announced new reforms that they hope will bring in a new generation of activists working for the restoration of democracy to Burma.
The new reforms come as a critical time for the organisation, which won 82 percent of seats in an election held in 1990, but was never allowed to take power. The party now faces being banned on May 7th after deciding not to register as a party under new election laws, which they claim are unjust.
“We will continue our struggle, whether or not the election commission declares us an illegal party, we will still be here,” said party spokesman Nyan Win Oo. “Therefore we continue the reforms that began with the new Central Committee. In order to appeal to our younger people we are lowering the minimum NLD membership age from sixty to fifty. Now young people will be able to play a fuller role in the struggle.”
However, the radical reforms have caused controversy among some members, who argue that having such young and inexperienced members could cause problems for the party. “Hot-headed youths could get us into trouble, we need calm people who respect authority and will wait and see what happens,” said one leader speaking off the record from his sick-bed.
Others have welcomed the reform as long overdue. “We must be practical,” said one CC member. “When the SPDC allowed us to reopen some offices it caused us major problems as in several places the local members were too old and ill to physically get to the office.”
Burma’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has announced new reforms that they hope will bring in a new generation of activists working for the restoration of democracy to Burma.
The new reforms come as a critical time for the organisation, which won 82 percent of seats in an election held in 1990, but was never allowed to take power. The party now faces being banned on May 7th after deciding not to register as a party under new election laws, which they claim are unjust.
“We will continue our struggle, whether or not the election commission declares us an illegal party, we will still be here,” said party spokesman Nyan Win Oo. “Therefore we continue the reforms that began with the new Central Committee. In order to appeal to our younger people we are lowering the minimum NLD membership age from sixty to fifty. Now young people will be able to play a fuller role in the struggle.”
However, the radical reforms have caused controversy among some members, who argue that having such young and inexperienced members could cause problems for the party. “Hot-headed youths could get us into trouble, we need calm people who respect authority and will wait and see what happens,” said one leader speaking off the record from his sick-bed.
Others have welcomed the reform as long overdue. “We must be practical,” said one CC member. “When the SPDC allowed us to reopen some offices it caused us major problems as in several places the local members were too old and ill to physically get to the office.”
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Burma’s Isolationalist Regime Launches International TV Station
From our correspondent in Rangoon
Burma’s notoriously isolationalist dictatorship has launched a new 24 hour English language TV station, Myanmar International TV. The station replaces MRTV3, which has been broadcasting globally for many years.
The new TV station features foreign presenters, including one who is apparently English and, perhaps embarrassed by her new employers, only gives her name as Sophie.
Early features on the new TV station included a visit to Burma by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, and a planned Burmese delegation visit to India. As well as news, the station also broadcasts several programmes promoting tourism to Burma, as well as business investment and trade. Programmes also featured the recently expanded international airport in Rangoon, which has two million passengers a year and is served by 16 international airlines. Pop music video’s feature Rangoon’s busy port docks as a backdrop.
China Central Television (CCTV), Cable Networks News (CNN) of the USA, and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) are providing news items for the channel.
Chinese news agency Xinhua reported: “MITV beams reach North America, Europe, Australian, New Zealand, China, India and Indochina regions and arrangements have been made for its round-the-clock programs to cover the whole world.”
Analysts cited the station as yet more evidence of the futility of western and other foreign countries attempting to put pressure on Burma’s generals, who have used foreign investment and trade to double the size of Burma’s army, and who have at least $5bn hidden in bank accounts in Singapore.
“A 24 hour English language TV station being broadcast worldwide via satellite at great expense demonstrates once again that Burma’s generals don’t care about world opinion, and that only uncritical engagement will make a difference,” said one analyst.
Aung Myint Oo, an American author who has visited Burma on many occasions, and who claims that western sanctions reinforce the generals ‘default position’ of isolationalism, was not available for comment.
Burma’s notoriously isolationalist dictatorship has launched a new 24 hour English language TV station, Myanmar International TV. The station replaces MRTV3, which has been broadcasting globally for many years.
The new TV station features foreign presenters, including one who is apparently English and, perhaps embarrassed by her new employers, only gives her name as Sophie.
Early features on the new TV station included a visit to Burma by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, and a planned Burmese delegation visit to India. As well as news, the station also broadcasts several programmes promoting tourism to Burma, as well as business investment and trade. Programmes also featured the recently expanded international airport in Rangoon, which has two million passengers a year and is served by 16 international airlines. Pop music video’s feature Rangoon’s busy port docks as a backdrop.
China Central Television (CCTV), Cable Networks News (CNN) of the USA, and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) are providing news items for the channel.
Chinese news agency Xinhua reported: “MITV beams reach North America, Europe, Australian, New Zealand, China, India and Indochina regions and arrangements have been made for its round-the-clock programs to cover the whole world.”
Analysts cited the station as yet more evidence of the futility of western and other foreign countries attempting to put pressure on Burma’s generals, who have used foreign investment and trade to double the size of Burma’s army, and who have at least $5bn hidden in bank accounts in Singapore.
“A 24 hour English language TV station being broadcast worldwide via satellite at great expense demonstrates once again that Burma’s generals don’t care about world opinion, and that only uncritical engagement will make a difference,” said one analyst.
Aung Myint Oo, an American author who has visited Burma on many occasions, and who claims that western sanctions reinforce the generals ‘default position’ of isolationalism, was not available for comment.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
State Dept Official Speaks Out Against US ‘Timidity’ On Burma
State Dept Official Speaks Out Against US ‘Timidity’ On Burma
From our Washington DC correspondent
2nd March 2010
A senior foreign policy advisor at the US Department of State has spoken out against what he described as ‘timidity and inflexibility’ in the Obama administration’s approach to Burma, which he says may backfire and ‘give succour’ to Burma’s generals. Burma has been ruled by military dictatorships since 1962.
A nine month policy review last year led to a change in approach from previous US policy, which had favoured sanctions and outspoken criticism of the junta. The US is now trying direct engagement, among other measures. However, this new approach is far too limited, according to one official, speaking off the record.
The official, who previously worked as an adviser to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and for his successor, Ban Ki-moon, described himself as ‘shackled’ by inflexibility from State Department officials.
“Issuing statements saying we are ‘concerned’ and ‘deeply concerned’ is not enough,” said the official. “We have to remember that this is a brutal military dictatorship with no interest in reform. We need to be doing much more.”
The USA should follow the lead of the United Nations, said the official. “If you look at the statements of successive Secretary General’s you will see that they were much more flexible and creative. They expressed how they were ‘seriously concerned’, ‘gravely concerned’, ‘increasingly concerned’, and ‘remained concerned’. Yet in six statements the US State Department has made in the past year in response to topical events in Burma, we have only said we are’ concerned’ or ‘deeply concerned’ and once ‘stressed’ concern. This approach is like going into a boxing ring with one arm tied behind our back.”
A US State Department spokesperson rejected the criticism, saying that the USA is in the early stages of a process of dialogue, and needed to give it time to work. “We hope Burma’s generals are willing to reform. We are trying to persuade the generals to reform, but if we use strong language about their human rights abuses they might get upset and refuse to relinquish power.”
However, he also indicated that US patience is not endless, and there could come a time when US and international patience with the dictatorship, which has ruled Burma for almost 50 years, would run out. “Obviously they need time to consider their options, but we are willing to step up pressure if there is no concrete change soon. If worse comes to worse we could even go as far as saying we are ‘extremely concerned’.
One Burma analyst dismissed the comments of the State Dept advisor as sour grapes after being dismissed by the UN Secretary General before moving to the State Dept. “The Secretary General decided to try a major new strategy expressing disappointment instead of concern, but this advisor is totally wedded to statements of concern, and so had to go.”
From our Washington DC correspondent
2nd March 2010
A senior foreign policy advisor at the US Department of State has spoken out against what he described as ‘timidity and inflexibility’ in the Obama administration’s approach to Burma, which he says may backfire and ‘give succour’ to Burma’s generals. Burma has been ruled by military dictatorships since 1962.
A nine month policy review last year led to a change in approach from previous US policy, which had favoured sanctions and outspoken criticism of the junta. The US is now trying direct engagement, among other measures. However, this new approach is far too limited, according to one official, speaking off the record.
The official, who previously worked as an adviser to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and for his successor, Ban Ki-moon, described himself as ‘shackled’ by inflexibility from State Department officials.
“Issuing statements saying we are ‘concerned’ and ‘deeply concerned’ is not enough,” said the official. “We have to remember that this is a brutal military dictatorship with no interest in reform. We need to be doing much more.”
The USA should follow the lead of the United Nations, said the official. “If you look at the statements of successive Secretary General’s you will see that they were much more flexible and creative. They expressed how they were ‘seriously concerned’, ‘gravely concerned’, ‘increasingly concerned’, and ‘remained concerned’. Yet in six statements the US State Department has made in the past year in response to topical events in Burma, we have only said we are’ concerned’ or ‘deeply concerned’ and once ‘stressed’ concern. This approach is like going into a boxing ring with one arm tied behind our back.”
A US State Department spokesperson rejected the criticism, saying that the USA is in the early stages of a process of dialogue, and needed to give it time to work. “We hope Burma’s generals are willing to reform. We are trying to persuade the generals to reform, but if we use strong language about their human rights abuses they might get upset and refuse to relinquish power.”
However, he also indicated that US patience is not endless, and there could come a time when US and international patience with the dictatorship, which has ruled Burma for almost 50 years, would run out. “Obviously they need time to consider their options, but we are willing to step up pressure if there is no concrete change soon. If worse comes to worse we could even go as far as saying we are ‘extremely concerned’.
One Burma analyst dismissed the comments of the State Dept advisor as sour grapes after being dismissed by the UN Secretary General before moving to the State Dept. “The Secretary General decided to try a major new strategy expressing disappointment instead of concern, but this advisor is totally wedded to statements of concern, and so had to go.”
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