US-Myanmar Relations: Archive of Materials
Extract from Daily Press Briefing - Burma/Myanmar
US State Department - 29 December 2010
Question: Okay. One more thing on Burma. As Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under house arrest,
and you had one round of talks with her after she was released, in the new year, what kind of
engagement and at what level of engagement do you intend to have with Aung San Suu Kyi?Mark C
Mark Toner: Well, we hope to continue engagement with Aung San Suu Kyi, and as you said, we’ve
already had one round of discussions with her. What we want – our long-term goals for Burma are
quite clear. We’ve sought a path of principled engagement with the Burmese Government. We
haven’t had a great deal of success.
But we want to see a more transparent and democratic political process emerge there, and certainly
we call on the release of all Burmese political prisoners, and hope to work more closely with Aung
San Suu Kyi and the opposition there. And also, again, we do believe that by engaging the Burmese
Government, we can advance our national interest in Burma and hope to do that. It’s been not exactly
fruitful so far, but perhaps in the new year, it - we’ll make progress.
Extract from Daily Press Briefing - Burma/Myanmar
US State Department - 10 December 2010
Question: Are you considering lifting of any sanctions from Burma, small or big, in view of the recent
developments there?
Philip J Crowley: Well, Lalit [Lalit Jha - Press Trust of India], and we would do that for what reason? I
mean, we are prepared, as we have said many times, to have a different relationship with Burma,
provided Burma takes significant steps forward. There are very clear requirements for Burma, and it’s
not about the United States dictating to Burma. It’s about what is in Burma’s best interest. Obviously we welcome the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, but that doesn’t solve the broader problem of the 2,000
political prisoners who still remain in custody in Burma. It doesn’t solve the challenge of the fact that
the central government is still at war with many ethnic groups within its borders. It doesn’t solve the
challenge of having a political system that allows broader participation so that you don’t have a faux
election here that just, in essence, takes generals and makes them civilians and pretends that’s a
different kind of government. It is the same kind of government. So we will have – we are prepared to
engage Burma. We’re prepared to change our relationship. That would include a lifting of sanctions,
but Burma has to take affirmative steps to warrant that kind of consideration.
Note by Network Myanmar: On 14 July 2008, the US Chargé d'Affaires in Yangon recommended:
"Large rewards should come only with large compromises, such as lifting the visa ban if they release
Aung San Suu Kyi." However, the only 'compromise' so far offered in Washington (as opposed to a
recommendation in 2008 from Yangon) is to continue the dialogue. In Nay Pyi Taw, we doubt that the
regime seriously expect any US concessions on any steps they are likely to take, which is why they
are unlikely to respond to US-set "benchmarks".
US Envoy discusses sanctions with Suu Kyi
Agence France-Presse - 11 December 2010
Joseph Yun, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, confirms that he had "a very useful exchange" with
Suu Kyi and "learned a lot".
Note by Network Myanmar: Suu Kyi is clearly not giving an inch. Support for sanctions is the only card
she can play. Mr Yun cannot in any case override congressional hostility to any relaxation of
sanctions without major concessions by Nay Pyi Taw.
Remarks on Burma at US State Department Press Briefing
US State Department - 15 November 2010
Philip J Crowley at yesterday's State Department Press Briefing: "Well, we have a strategy with
respect to Burma. It involves engagement, and we will continue to engage Burma. But it also
involves sanctions. And there are things that we want to see in Burma. We want to see the
emergence of a genuine civil society. We want to see the emergence of a broader political process."
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US leaders: Burma must do more
Politico - 13 November 2010
President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former President Bill Clinton and Laura Bush on
Suu Kyi's release.
Aung San Suu Kyi and US Policy toward Burma/Myanmar
Journal of Current South-East Asian Affairs 3/2010 - October 2010
A brilliant essay by Professor David Steinberg on the importance of Suu Kyi for US policy and the
difficult decisions the US will need to take following the formation of the new administration in
Myanmar.
Obama: Burma's Government steals elections
VoA News - 8 November 2010
"It is unacceptable to hold the aspirations of an entire people hostage to the greed and paranoia of a
bankrupt regime. It is unacceptable to steal an election, as the regime in Burma has done again for
all the world to see."
Obama says Myanmar elections neither free nor fair
Associated Press - 7 November 2010
The White House quotes President Obama in India as saying that the elections in Myanmar are
based on a fundamentally flawed process. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Australia describes
the situation as "heartbreaking".
Clinton backs UN probe on Burma rights
Agence France-Presse - 29 October 2010
Hillary Clinton, delivering a speech in Hawaii at the start of a two-week trip across Asia, offered the
most explicit US backing yet for an Inquiry. "I would like to underscore the United States' commitment
to seek accountability for the human rights violations that have occurred in Burma by working to
establish an international Commission of Inquiry through close consultations with our friends, allies
and other partners at the United Nations," Clinton said at the East-West Center in Honolulu.
Extract from US State Department Daily Press Briefing - 28 October 2010
Question: The ASEAN talks in Hanoi. Apparently, the Burmese foreign minister is saying that Suu Kyi
could be released, but not in time for the elections, sometime after that. How does the U.S. take that?
Philip Crowley: How transparent a manipulation is that? There are elections coming up in Burma.
Aung San Suu Kyi should be - and her colleagues should have been free to participate fully in this
electoral process and to vote in this process. So this is a craven manipulation by Burma. How
convenient that they are hinting that she might be released after an election that is unlikely to be fair,
free, or credible. Burma knows what it has to do. It has to open up its political space for Aung San
Suu Kyi and others to participate fully in the politics of Burma. It has to release its political prisoners,
all of them. And it has to have meaningful dialogue with all elements of Burmese society.
Note by Network Myanmar: Suu Kyi's name is included on the electoral roll and she has the right to
vote as she is not in prison. She has however made it clear that she has no intention of voting or of
otherwise taking part in the elections. Her civil status is such that she was not ineligible to apply to
stand as a candidate for one of the Assemblies, but, as in 1990 when her candidacy was initially
accepted but later rejected, and similar to the problems met by Khin Maung Swe of the National
Democratic Force earlier this year, she would have been required to formally renounce her
membership of the Committee Representing the People's Parliament, which has been declared an
unlawful association, and also renounce her support for sanctions which is seen by the regime as
tantamount to economic sabotage, in order to stand. Such a recantation would clearly have been
unacceptable to her, so that she would have debarred from standing, but not because of her civil
status.
Senator Webb: We can't let Burma become a Chinese Province
Foreign Policy - 27 October 2010
"We are in a situation where if we do not push some sort of constructive engagement, Burma is going
to basically become a province of China," Senator Jim Webb said Wednesday morning at a breakfast
meeting with Washington defense reporters. "It does us no good to be out of there," adding: "The
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administration adopted a policy of smarter engagement with Burma… [but] I don't think the
administration took advantage of the opportunities presented to it."
Note by Network Myanmar: The US initiative was handicapped from the outset because progress was
made conditional, in deference to congressional pressures, on a show of political reform before a start
could be made to lifting US sanctions. This "conditionality" approach was never acceptable to the
regime, as Derek Tonkin observed when talks were first initiated.
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US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell comments on Myanmar
America.gov - 27 September 2010
Kurt Campbell said the United States recognizes that “after the elections there may be a different
correlation of players, different relationships and different actors that may emerge that could create
the opportunity for some sort of engagement that would advance not only American interests but the
interests of others in the region and the dispossessed inside the country as a whole.” Asked if the
United States supports the idea of a United Nations panel of inquiry to investigate war crimes in
Burma, Campbell said, “We have not ruled anything out either on this issue or others, including
sanctions on the way forward. We are looking at what transpires in November in terms of the way
forward, and we reserve the right to take steps either to respond to positive steps or negative ones."
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Joint US-ASEAN Summit Statement
White House - 24 September 2010
A paragraph in the Summit Statement on Myanmar reads: "17. ASEAN Leaders welcomed the
continued U.S. engagement with the Government of Myanmar. We expressed our hope that ASEAN
and U.S. engagement encourages Myanmar to undertake political and economic reforms to facilitate
national reconciliation. We welcomed the ASEAN Chair’s Statement of 17 August 2010. We
reiterated our call from the November 2009 Leaders Joint Statement that the November 2010 general
elections in Myanmar must be conducted in a free, fair, inclusive and transparent manner in order to
be credible for the international community. We emphasized the need for Myanmar to continue to
work together with ASEAN and the United Nations in the process of national reconciliation."
A sentence in a Working Lunch read-out with ASEAN leaders reads: "The President believes in the
importance of democratic reform and protection of human rights and renews his call on Burma to
embark on a process of national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners including Aung San
Suu Kyi and by holding free and fair elections in November."
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US continuing to engage with Burma
VoA News - 24 September 2010
A useful summary of US policy towards Myanmar. "Among the difficult options in dealing with the
regime, engagement remains a possible means to encourage reform and a change in regime
behavior. New players and new political forces may emerge from the elections, and the United
States is prepared to engage with the new government to pursue positive change."
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Comments by Mark Toner, State Department Spokesman
Extract from Daily Press briefing - 24 September 2010
Question: Apparently, Aung San Suu Kyi is going to be allowed to vote in the elections. I wonder if
you see that as legitimizing to some extent, or it’s just window dressing.
Mr Toner: Look, we’ve made it clear all along that we think the November 7 elections are going to
lack legitimacy. We obviously remain concerned about the oppressive political environment in the
country and we urge all of the authorities to release all the political prisoners, including Aung San
Suu Kyi, and I believe there’s 2,100 additional political prisoners. We don’t believe those elections
can be free or fair, and we continue to urge the Burmese authorities to begin a genuine political
dialogue with the democratic opposition as a first step, and also the ethnic minority leaders, as a
first step towards national reconciliation.
Questions: Would you recognize the government which is formed after the election, because you
are saying that it is illegitimate? Would the U.S. recognize the government formed after the
elections?
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Mr Toner: Well, if we say the elections lack all international legitimacy, I don’t certainly want to
predict what the outcome might be. But no, we don’t have a lot of confidence in any government
that might be formed through illegitimate elections.
Question: Are you saying allowing her to vote is just sort of a political stunt – allowing her to vote is
sort of a political stunt?
Mr Toner: Your words not mine, but we don’t think it has any merit.
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Business as usual with Burma
Wall Street Journal - 20 September 2010
An editorial on the failing policy of the US towards Myanmar. "President Barack Obama will attend a
summit in New York next week of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Burma is a
member. If he continues to push dialogue above all else, the generals will get the message that it's
business as usual."
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US disappointed with Myanmar dialogue
Agence France-Presse - 16 September 2010
US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell, who is leading the US dialogue with Myanmar, said today he
was thoroughly disappointed with the results but that engagement was the best option as the country
prepares for controversial elections. "I think it would be fair to say in almost every arena, we have
been disappointed. Everything we've seen to date suggests that the November elections will be
without international legitimacy......The period after the election might create new players, new power
relationships, new structures inside the country, so we think we need to stand by and see how that
plays out." The United States was ready with "a combination of some pressure, and also some
rewards," in return for progress by Myanmar.
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US-Myanmar talks practically on hold
Press Trust of India - 25 August 2010
"I do not project any discussions with Burma in the near future. I can't say there is a time to any
particular date," a senior US Administration official told reporters yesterday, even as he was quick to
assert that the policy of engagement is still in place. The official said the US will be consulting other
countries to determine their views on a commission of inquiry and see if they share their views. Earlier
in the day, the State Department spokesman reiterated that the US will back the creation of an
international commission to investigate alleged war crimes by Burma's military junta. "We believe that
a properly structured international commission of inquiry that would examine allegations of serious
violations of international law in Burma would be warranted and appropriate. And we are examining
how to best proceed on this initiative."
Note by Network Myanmar: It is now clear that press reports of a leaked US decision to press for a
commission of inquiry only reflected an intention in principle, without any defined policy on how best
to proceed. The Security Council is a non-starter as any Resolution would meet the same fate as the
draft presented in January 2007 - a veto by China and Russia. UN Special Rapporteur Quintana,
appointed by the Human Rights Council, somewhat surprisingly did not suggest that the Council
should set up an enquiry, but invited "UN institutions" generally to consider the idea. Assuming that
the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) do not see such a commission as within their
mandate, that really leaves only a UN General Assembly Resolution instructing the UN SecretaryGeneral to set up an enquiry of some kind. But the annual UNGA Resolutions on Burma/Myanmar are
now contested by voting, and the last three secured only 86, 80 and 83 votes (2009, 2008, 2007)
which was sufficient to get the Resolution adopted but is less than 50% of the UN membership of 192.
As UNGA Resolutions are not binding on member states, that would mean - assuming a similar voting
pattern in 2010 - that more than 50% of members would decline to cooperate. Such a commission,
however it might describe itself, would not be taken seriously. The US would be well aware of this, but
pressures "to do something", however ineffectual, are strong. That was why in January 2007 a draft
Resolution was presented to the UN Security Council even though China and Russia had warned in
advance that they would cast a veto.
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White House v State Department: Commission of Enquiry (Round 3)
US State Department Press Briefing - 24 August 2010
State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley assures a correspondent: "Well, we believe that a
properly structured international commission of inquiry that would examine allegations of serious
violations of international law in Burma would be warranted and appropriate. And we are examining
how to best proceed on this initiative."
Note by Network Myanmar: The Spokesman avoided use of the term "crimes against humanity" or
"war crimes" and gave no indication of which UN institution might establish such a commission.
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White House v State Department: Commission of Enquiry (Round 2)
US State Department Press Briefing: 19 August 2010
The Spokesman confirms that: "We’ve arrived at judgments on how to proceed. But we’re just not yet
in a position where we’re going to announce what we’re going to do."
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White House v State Department: Commission of Enquiry (Round 1)
US State Department Press Briefing - 19 August 2010
At the Daily Press Briefing, the State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley made it clear, in
response to a question, that there had to his knowledge been no statement from the White House
about President Obama's support for a UN Commission of Enquiry on Myanmar, even though this had
been widely reported in the international press, including comment from the National Security Council.
This premature release has induced persons, who might otherwise have restrained from comment,
to come out in support of the US "decision", including the Vice Chairman of the former National
League for Democracy. The White House confirmed on 20 August 2010 that no statement
had yet been issued but probably would be next week at the earliest.
Note by Network Myanmar: The unfortunate way in which US intentions have been prematurely
revealed without State Department approval on the timing may influence Asian countries to have
doubts about the wisdom of the planned US action so close to the elections. This could harden
attitudes among the future rulers of Myanmar and polarise Asian and Western opinion on how best to
influence the new administration in Myanmar.
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Elections and Opportunity in Myanmar
US Council of Foreign Relations - 3 August 2010
Joshua Kurlantzick, Fellow for Southeast Asia, examines the possible openings for US and Chinese
engagement as a result of the forthcoming elections and concludes: "Beijing's concerns could open a
window for cooperation at a time when the US - China relationship seems increasingly strained,
particularly over Southeast Asia. Washington should be ready to seize the chance."
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Obama's failure in Burma
Washington Post - 23 July 2010
Former UN Special Rapporteur Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro examines the reasons for the failure of
President Obama's new approach on Myanmar and concludes:
"If the United States wants to influence the junta, it must immediately change its entire approach.
Beyond appointing an envoy, it must make Burma policy a high-level priority. The junta has the upper
hand. Without the kind of pressure the United States can bring to bear multilaterally, the junta will
have no incentive to come to the table, let alone change its behavior."
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Senator Webb challenges Kurt Campbell on Myanmar
Press Release - 8 June 2010
Senator Jim Webb writes to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on matters arising from his recent visit
to Asia. He calls for clarification of recent allegations about North Korean support for a nuclear
programme in Myanmar made in reports by the Democratic Voice of Burma which he describes as "a
US-funded media organization".
Asked about Senator Webb's comments that the State Department is not willing to share more
information on Burma’s possible violation of UN Security Council Resolution No.1874, Assistant
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Secretary Philip Crowley said at the daily State Department Press Briefing on 8 June 2010: "That is
something that we watch very carefully. We are talking to Burma, reminding Burma about its
international obligations under 1874 and other resolutions. As to what - the nature of our
conversations, we - obviously, Senator Webb, we’ve had many conversations with him about Burma.
It’s a country of - that he recognizes is of significance. And I’m sure that we will continue our
conversations with Senator Webb and others on the Congress about the best way forward."
Senator Webb proposes Eric John as Special Envoy under the Tom Lantos Jade Act.
Note by Network Myanmar: US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell spoke in the recent Al Jazeera
programme about signs of Myanmar “flirtation” with North Korea on military matters. However, he did
not say whether this “flirtation” was related to conventional or nuclear weaponry. The situation
remains that evidence of any nuclear cooperation with North Korea remains only “anecdotal” (Robert
Kelley, DVB consultant), that no nuclear reactor has been supplied to Myanmar by either Russia or
North Korea, that a locally built nuclear reactor is little more than a pipe-dream and that the array of
underground tunnels and bunkers built in recent years do not house any nuclear facilities. These facts
highlight the absurdity of predictions made in the recent past. Whatever agreements and
understandings on military matters may have been concluded with North Korea in the past, the
continuance of any such cooperation would today be a breach of UN Security Council
Resolutions 1718 and 1874.
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Text of Senator Webb's Statement issued in Bangkok
The Nation - 3 June 2010
Senator Webb explains why it would in his view be "unwise and potentially counterproductive" to visit
Myanmar while there are two unanswered questions about alleged defence collaboration with North
Korea.
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Chinese Premier meets Senior General Than Shwe
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 3 June 2010
China and Myanmar sign 15 economic agreements. But meanwhile Senator Jim Webb postpones his
visit to Myanmar because of concerns about new reports of nuclear weapons programmes.
Note by Network Myanmar: No doubt Premier Wen Jiabao would be made aware of Senator Webb's
concerns. China would be as alarmed as the US if these concerns have any basis.
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US says troubled by Myanmar developments
Reuters (Washington) - 19 May 2010
US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell tells a press briefing in Washington that the US remains
concerned over a whole range of issues as a result of his recent visit to Myanmar.....
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"Stay out of Bangkok"
The National Interest Online - 17 May 2010
Doug Bandow, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, examines US military and diplomatic strategy in
Asia and concludes that the US does not require military plans to intervene in local strife.
Note by Network Myanmar: US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell met Thai opposition personalities
in Bangkok on 9 May. The meeting and the US Embassy press statement, which has since been
revised, later came in for strong criticism from the Thai Foreign Minister. This was just prior
to Campbell's visit to Myanmar where his reception seems to have been cordial enough. The Thai
authorities are reportedly concerned by expressions of Western tolerance of, if not discreet support
for popular Thai aspirations.
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US extends sanctions against Myanmar
Straits Times - 15 May 2010
The US has extended a group of sanctions due for renewal for another 12 months on the grounds that
"the actions and policies of the government of Burma continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary
threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
Note by Network Myanmar: This quaint formula is required by US law to ensure a smooth
bureaucratic process. It is not taken seriously by anyone as a considered assessment of any
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supposed "threat". The sanctions do however bolster the position of the Myanmar Government. The
process requires both a Presidential Notice and a Presidential Message. In the last five years
before Burmese exports were interdicted in 2004, over 80% of these exports were in the labour
intensive, private sector garment industry and the only persons to have suffered have been factory
workers and private, non-crony entrepreneurs. To remove these sanctions directed at the Burmese
people, however, would be too daunting for either Congress or the US Administration to contemplate.
They seemingly prefer to live with this millstone around their necks, for domestic political reasons
which far outweigh any considerations of concern for the Burmese population. Assistant Secretary
Kurt Campbell has indicated to the Burmese that progress on political reform could lead to a lifting of
sanctions. Their leverage, though, is clearly marginal.
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Record of Discussions (text version) in Nay Pyi Taw on 9 May 2010
New Light of Myanmar - 12 May 2010
Pages 5, 6, 7 and 10 of New Light of Myanmar (facsimile version with photographs) record
discussions with US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and Government Ministers on 9 May 2010 in
Nay Pyi Taw.
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US envoy warns Myanmar over North Korea arms links
Associated Press (Yangon) - 10 May 2010
US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell visiting Myanmar issued a strong warning today against its
military buying arms from North Korea in defiance of a UN embargo.
Press Statement in Rangoon on 10 May 2010
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Myanmar elections to lack legitimacy, US diplomat predicts
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Yangon) - 10 May 2010
Elections planned by Myanmar's junta this year would lack 'international legitimacy' if they move
ahead as planned, US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell said today. Campbell made the prediction
after a two-day visit to Myanmar to assess the country's preparations for polls planned for an as-yet
unspecified date this year as part of its so-called seven-step road map to democracy.
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Kurt Campbell "troubled" by Myanmar election preparations
Agence France-Presse - 9 May 2010
"We're troubled by much of what we've seen and we have very real concerns about the elections laws
and the environment that's been created," said Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary for East Asian
and Pacific Affairs. "Our team would like the opportunity to engage directly and see what the plans are
in terms of the overall approach of the elections," he told a news conference in Bangkok. Campbell
was due to fly to Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on 9 May for talks with government officials, followed
by a meeting with Suu Kyi on Monday 10 May.
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Text of draft Senate Resolution S.Res.480 on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Gov.Track US - 14 April 2010
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US Envoy to visit Myanmar if he can meet Suu Kyi and the NLD
Agence France-Presse (Washington) - 7 May 2010
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said today that it was "highly regrettable" that the junta
created the circumstances in which the NLD was forced to form a new party after the NLD disbanded
ahead of elections. Another official commented unattributably that US Assistant Secretary of State
Kurt Campbell would visit Myanmar only if he could meet Suu Kyi and Opposition leaders.
Note by Network Myanmar: The text of Mr Crowley's statement does not say or imply that "the NLD
was forced to form a new party after the NLD disbanded ahead of elections." The decision to form a
new party was taken by a minority of members of the Central Executive Committee of the NLD
against the wishes of other CEC members like Nyan Win and Win Tin. It was not a decision of the
party.
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Senator Mitch McConnell pushes Myanmar sanctions
Agence France-Presse - 5 May 2010
The Republican Senator from Kentucky lives up to his reputation in pressing for the annual renewal of
designated US sanctions.
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Comments by the US State Department Spokesman on Myanmar
Extract from US State Department Daily Briefing - 4 May 2010
Question: The majority of the members of the Burmese Government in recent days have resigned
their military commissions or what have you, left the military apparently in advance of the elections.
This is the prime minister and most members of the cabinet. Any response to that? Does that improve
the auspices of their electoral process?
Philip Crowley: I mean, certainly we do encourage - let me make a broader statement, not just on
Burma, that to the extent that figures want to take off their uniform and pursue politics and
government as civilians, that can be a constructive step, particularly in a society that has been ruled
by a military junta. That said, it’s less about the identities of the individuals, depending on what
uniform they wear. It’s more about what they do on behalf of their country and whether, in becoming
civilians, they are willing to serve the interests of the entire society - in this case, Burma, as opposed
to the narrow constituency of and narrow interest of the junta. So that step by itself may create a
possible positive - may be seen as a possible positive step, but we’ll be guided by the actions that
Burma takes, whether it opens up - whether this represents just wolves changing to sheep’s clothing
or how that works. I mean, what Burma needs to do is to open up real, genuine political space, not
just for ex-generals but also for all people who want to participate constructively in Burmese society.
That’s what they need to do, and that’s what they have been reluctant to do. As we said recently, we
regret the election law, that it fell short of international standards. Burma has to open up political
space. It has to have a meaningful dialogue with all of its ethnic groups within Burma. If these
individuals transforming themselves from generals to civilians can open up that space, then that we
truly see as a positive step.
Note by Network Myanmar: US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell is expected to visit Myanmar soon.
The comments by Philip Crowley indicate an intention to take a positive approach prior to Mr
Campbell's visit.
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US mulls more sanctions on Myanmar
The Jakarta Post - 29 April 2010
“We have been quite critical of the election law and we regard it as unhelpful. It makes it difficult if not
impossible to make this election free or fair or credible at all because they forced not only the NLD but
other parties to expel any members who were in prison,” Scot Marciel, the US Ambassador to
ASEAN, told "The Jakarta Post" on 27 April. “The NLD has a large number of its leaders in prison,
and [the regulation] has forced the NLD and other parties into a very difficult position ...... We read it
as a statement that [the Myanmar government] is not going to pursue national reconciliation through
this election process.”
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Transcript: Dana Rohrabacher's Statement on Burma
House of Representatives - 21 April 2010
The Californian Congressman calls on all Burmese of goodwill to retake the country for democracy.
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US Policy on Myanmar
State Department daily briefing - 21 April 2010
Question: Several senators have introduced legislation, the U.S. Senate asking, sort of questioning
Secretary Clinton for assessing the U.S policy, the new U.S. policy of engagement with the Burmese
because that hasn’t worked so far. So do you think it’s the right time to assess your new policy with
Burma because it’s not working?
Philip Crowley, State Department Spokesman: I mean, the challenge of Burma wasn’t created in
one year. It’s not going to be solved in one year. We have shifted to a policy of engagement following
a comprehensive review of our Burma policy. We did it because, quite honestly, sanctions alone had
not yielded results either. We have begun high-level dialogue with the Government of Burma on a
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long – a wide range of issues of interest and concern and we will continue this conversation. As we
said, we’ve been disappointed with some steps that Burma has taken recently, particularly with
respect to its election laws. Burma has an ongoing challenge. It has to – it has to solve much of its
challenge internally with broader dialogue, with various elements of Burmese society. It has to open
up its political process to more participants. We will continue to send that strong message to Burma
and I think that we would hope that over time it will yield results. But we are not surprised that this has
been a difficult process.
Question: Are you getting up to declare the upcoming election null and void because it’s one-sided
elections?
Philip Crowley: We’ve already indicated our concerns and that under these circumstances, we would
not recognize that result.
Note by Network Myanmar: "The only precondition for the recognition of a government under
international law is its effective exercise of sovereign power (first and foremost, control of a
substantial part of the territory and apparatus of administration)." Extract from the Policy Statement
on the Recognition of States and Governments under International Law by the Swiss Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs.
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US warns Myanmar dialogue may be reviewed
Agence France-Presse (Washington) - 15 April 2010
The United States today warned Myanmar's military generals that it could review its dialogue with
them in the absence of democratic reforms. "I think it will be fair to say in terms of the election law and
our desire to see an internal dialogue between the various stakeholders about the upcoming election
that we are disappointed in the steps that had been taken," said US Assistant Secretary of State for
East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell. "We have conveyed (this) directly to the regime and also
to the countries that encouraged us to begin a dialogue with the country," he said in reply to a
question at a forum on US-Malaysia relations held at the Center for Strategic and International
Studies in Washington.
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US to renew bid for thaw in relations
Larry Jagan - 5 April 2010
US negotiators Kurt Campbell and Scot Marciel are expected to return to Myanmar soon, though no
date has yet been fixed. Many countries reportedly have strong reservations about Suu Kyi's decision
to take the NLD out of the elections.
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US senators seek tighter Myanmar sanctions ahead of elections
news.com.au - 31 March 2010
_________________________________________________________________________________
Options for US Policy on Burma/Myanmar
Asia Society Task Force Report - March 2010
This report sponsored by the Asia Society to which a wide range of scholars and practitioners has
contributed offers practical options for the US administration to consider in the pursuit of US policies
and objectives.
Note by Network Myanmar: Unfortunately, a main recommendation of the report is that "the National
League for Democracy should continue to be a focal point of US policy support." As the future of the
NLD is now in jeopardy, many in the West may feel that the rug has been pulled from under their feet.
________________________________________________________________________________
Kurt Campbell: "No change in Burma"
Interview in Washington - 8 March 2010
US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is expected to visit Myanmar in the very near future.
He expresses his views on the current state of the US-Myanmar dialogue. "I think the key for the
United States is we have got to be committed: committed to our principles, committed to our values,
to our friends, and we have to be consistent and we do have to demonstrate some patience in the
process. This is not a set of circumstances that are going to change overnight. And it will have to be
through a strategic and cunning [?] approach on the part of Western friends and others to see a more
9
positive way forward. So I stand by my early statement: painful, difficult and challenging, and it will
take longer than people had hoped or anticipated."
_______________________________________________________________________________
Rumble in the Junta
US-Burma Relations: "Pragmatic Engagement" greets "Discipline-Flourishing Democracy"
Sourabh Gupta (Senior Research Associate at Samuels International Associates)
Asia-Pacific Bulletin No. 46 - January 2010
On November 3, 2009, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt
Campbell became the highest ranking American official to travel to Myanmar since the 1995 visit of
then-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright. To reinforce this message of
outreach, President Obama later engaged Prime Minister Thein Sein on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting in Singapore. The initiative to pragmatically
engage the ruling junta in Naypyidaw has been in most part received well. Sourabh Gupta discusses
Burma's motivations for re-engagement with the United States.
________________________________________________________________________________
Foreign Policy - 28 January 2010
Drew Thompson urges a more sensitive US policy on Myanmar. "Sanctions have only served to
isolate the United States. This is especially unfortunate at a time when the United States should be
carefully watching, and even influencing, what might be the most important political year in Myanmar's
recent history."
________________________________________________________________________________
Senate Sub-Committee Hearing on US Engagement in Asia - 21 January 2010
Testimony by Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell
This link includes both the transcript of Kurt Campbell's testimony to the Sub-Committee on East
Asian and Pacific Affairs of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as his oral
presentation and response to questions from Chairman Senator Jim Webb. The transcript and the
oral exchanges include testimony on relations with Myanmar.
________________________________________________________________________________
US to press Myanmar on reform
Reuters (Washington) - 19 January 2010
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who in November led a U.S. team to Yangon for the
highest level talks in 14 years, has told reporters that Washington had seen a "mixed bag" of results
from overtures to the military junta in Myanmar.
Read more.....
________________________________________________________________________________
US ignoring progress in human trafficking fight
Myanmar Times - 4-10 January 2010
The US State Department classifies countries as Tier Three if their governments do not fully comply
with the minimum standards on human trafficking and are not making significant efforts to remedy the
problem. “Either way, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to continue to work to our utmost ability
and welcome partners to join hands in an effort to tackle this complex issue,” Pol Col Sit Aye said. He
said Myanmar considers the prevention of human trafficking a national cause because it is a serious
problem with negative consequences for the nation and its people. “As human trafficking is also a
transnational crime, a strong emphasis has been given to regional and international cooperation. We
have strengthened cooperation with neighbouring countries, other countries in the region and
international organisations,” he said. He said 2009 was a significant year for the country’s efforts to
fight human trafficking as it had signed two bilateral Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the
issue. The first, with Thailand, was signed in April, while in November an agreement was inked with
China.
________________________________________________________________________________
Washington doubtful of Myanmar elections
AFP (Manila Times) - 6 January 2010
The United States has voiced doubts on whether Myanmar’s upcoming elections would be credible
and has urged the military regime to engage the opposition and ethnic minorities. State Department
10
spokesman Ian Kelly said the United States was taking a “measured approach” to elections until it
could assess the conditions, including whether the opposition and ethnic groups will participate. “So
far we have not seen any meaningful steps by the regime to indicate it is putting in place measures
that would lead to credible elections,” Kelly said. Much of the opposition’s leadership remains in
prison, there is no space for political dissent or debate and no freedom of press,” Kelly said. Kelly
called for Myanmar to engage opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic leaders “in a
comprehensive dialogue on democratic reform.” Senator Jim Webb, the leading US advocate of
engagement of engagement with Myanmar, said he was “pleased” by Than Shwe’s indication that
elections would take place this year. “I have expressed my view to the Burmese leadership that the
United Nations or other international organizations could provide valuable election assistance, and
thus enhance the integrity of the process,” said Webb, who held a rare meeting with the reclusive
Than Shwe in 2009.
_________________________________________________________________________________
US renews hand to Myanmar
AFP/Yahoo News - 30 December 2009
The United States on Wednesday renewed its offer of better ties with Myanmar if it makes progress
on democracy as the military-ruled nation prepares to mark independence from Britain next week. In a
statement ahead of the 62nd anniversary on Monday 4 January, the US State Department offered its
"warmest wishes" to the people of Myanmar and its "unwavering support" for the nation's
independence. "The United States stands ready to take steps to improve bilateral relations based on
reciprocal and meaningful efforts by the Burmese government to fulfill the Burmese peoples'
democratic aspirations. We support the peaceful efforts of people everywhere to exercise freely their
universal human rights, and we look forward to the day when Burma's citizens will be able to do so.
We hope that day will come soon."
_________________________________________________________________________________
No progress despite engagement with Myanmar: Scot Marciel
AFP Singapore - 12 December 2009
There are no signs of progress towards democratic change in Myanmar despite Washington's
decision to hold direct talks with the country's military rulers, a senior US diplomat said Wednesday.
High-level talks last month in Myanmar between the junta and US officials were "cautious" and made
little headway, said Scot Marciel, the US deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific
affairs. "It's perhaps useful that we are talking, but that isn't progress," Marciel said at a seminar
organised by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, a Singaporean think tank.
_________________________________________________________________________________
ASEAN engagement with Myanmar showing results
Straits Times/MFA Press Release - 24 November 2009
The new approach taken by the United States towards Myanmar has made ASEAN 'feel justified'
about its policy of engagement with the isolated country all these years, said Foreign Minister George
Yeo yesterday.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Statement by French Foreign Ministry Spokesman
French Foreign Ministry - 16 November 2009
"La France partage entièrement l'objectif exprimé par le président des Etats-Unis au sujet de la
Birmanie. Elle souhaite que la junte birmane s'engage sincèrement, et par des gestes concrets, dans
un processus de réconciliation nationale avec l'opposition et les minorités ethniques. Nous espérons
que l'appel au Premier ministre birman à libérer tous les prisonniers politiques, dont Aung San Suu
Kyi, sera entendu. Cette condition est indispensable pour que les élections prévues par les autorités
birmanes en 2010 soient véritablement démocratiques, comme celles-ci l'ont promis. Rappelons que
les prisonniers politiques birmans sont plus de 2000 et qu'Aung San Suu Kyi a passé 14 des 20
dernières années privée de liberté. Les autorités ont accepté qu'Aung San Suu Kyi rencontre les
ambassadeurs des pays appliquant des sanctions ainsi que des émissaires américains. Il leur
appartient maintenant de prendre des mesures concrètes en faveur du dialogue et de la réconciliation
nationale."
11
Unofficial Translation
"France wholeheartedly shares the goal expressed by the President of the United States concerning
Burma. It would like the Burmese junta to truly engage, through concrete gestures, in a process of
national reconciliation with the opposition and ethnic minorities. We hope that the appeal to the
Burmese Prime Minister to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, will be heard.
Only on this condition can the elections planned by the Burmese authorities for 2010 be truly
democratic, as they promised. We should remember that there are more than 2,000 Burmese political
prisoners and that Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 14 out of the last 20 years deprived of her liberty. The
authorities agreed for Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with the ambassadors of the countries that are
applying sanctions as well as U.S. emissaries. It is now up to them to take concrete measures to
promote dialogue and national reconciliation."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Guarded hope as Obama engages Myanmar
AFP/Yahoo News - 16 November 2009
Divergent views on the results of President Obama's discussions with ASEAN leaders on Myanmar.
The United States has pressed for a free vote but said it is skeptical. Aung San Suu Kyi's National
League for Democracy has called a boycott but observers expect it will face pressure to take part if
the junta makes concessions.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi seeks meeting with Sen Gen Than Shwe
Reuters (Yangon) - 16 November 2009
In a letter dated 11 November 2009, obtained by Reuters on Monday, the 64-year-old Nobel peace
laureate said she wanted to work with General Than Shwe's government. "I would like to earnestly
request permission to meet you so that we can talk about cooperating with the State Peace and
Development Council in working in the interest of the nation."
________________________________________________________________________________
Video Report on President Obama's new approach to Myanmar
YouTube/Al Jazeera from Singapore - 16 November 2009
In Singapore on Saturday, Obama became the first US president ever to attend a meeting of the
Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN. That meeting was also attended by Myanmar's
prime minister, General Thein Sein. Although the two men did not speak directly, as Al Jazeera's
Veronica Pedrosa reports, the fact they were in the same room signals a major shift in US
engagement with Myanmar.
________________________________________________________________________________
Obama tells Myanmar to release Suu Kyi
Associated Press - 15 November 2009
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in Singapore that Obama called on
Myanmar to free his fellow Nobel Peace laureate Ms. Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and end
oppression of minorities. “Obama brought that up directly with that government,” Mr. Gibbs said,
indicating that the president addressed Gen. Thein Sein. The general did not address leaders'
concerns about Ms. Suu Kyi, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. “We expected a bit more but
it was not forthcoming. We hope (democracy) ... in Myanmar will become a reality sooner than later."
________________________________________________________________________________
Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the first US-ASEAN Summit
ASEAN Secretariat - 15 November 2009
On Myanmar, the Statement said:
"10. The Leaders of ASEAN welcomed the high level dialogue and the policy of the United States to
engage with the Government of Myanmar, as indicated by the recent visit of U.S. officials to
Myanmar. We expressed our hope that this effort, as well as ASEAN’s, would contribute to broad
political and economic reforms and the process will be further enhanced in the future. We also
underscored the importance of achieving national reconciliation and that the general elections to be
held in Myanmar in 2010 must be conducted in a free, fair, inclusive and transparent manner in order
to be credible to the international community. We called on the Government of Myanmar to help
create the conditions for credible elections including by initiating a dialogue with all stakeholders to
ensure that the process is fully inclusive. We also reiterated our continued support to the good offices
12
of the United Nations Secretary-General in the democratization process in Myanmar. We also noted
the Joint Communiqué of the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phuket, 20 July 2009."
________________________________________________________________________________
Text of President Obama's speech in Tokyo on US reengagement with Asia
Financial Times - 14 November 2009
On Myanmar, President Obama said:
"The longing for liberty and dignity is a part of the story of all peoples. For there are certain aspirations
that human beings hold in common: the freedom to speak your mind, and choose your leaders; the
ability to access information, and worship how you please; confidence in the rule of law, and the equal
administration of justice. These are not impediments to stability, they are its cornerstones. And we will
always stand on the side of those who seek these rights.
"That truth guides our new approach to Burma. Despite years of good intentions, neither sanctions by
the United States nor engagement by others succeeded in improving the lives of the Burmese people.
So we are now communicating directly with the leadership to make it clear that existing sanctions will
remain until there are concrete steps toward democratic reform. We support a Burma that is unified,
peaceful, prosperous, and democratic. And as Burma moves in that direction, a better relationship
with the United States is possible.
"There are clear steps that must be taken - the unconditional release of all political prisoners,
including Aung San Suu Kyi; an end to conflicts with minority groups; and a genuine dialogue
between the government, the democratic opposition and minority groups on a shared vision for the
future. That is how a government in Burma will be able to respond to the needs of its people. That is
the path that will bring Burma true security and prosperity."
_________________________________________________________________________________
Clinton urges Myanmar to begin planning 2010 vote
Reuters in Singapore - 11 November 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday urged Myanmar to begin planning for its 2010
elections and said Southeast Asian nations could play an important role in ensuring the vote is "free,
fair and credible." Clinton, speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the APEC meetings in
Singapore, said Washington would like to see the reclusive military-led government of the former
Burma begin internal consultations soon about the country's political future.
Transcript of Secretary Clinton's APEC Press Conference on 11 November 2009
Clinton says no new conditions for Myanmar
CBS News - 11 November 2009
Clinton, who met Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Asia-Pacific countries ahead of a regional
summit, said she "reiterated that U.S. sanctions will remain in place until we see meaningful progress
in key areas." She told reporters that China, India and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian
Nations also must play a greater role in pushing Myanmar's junta toward democracy. Asked if the
United States has set any conditions, including the return of Suu Kyi to political life, for improving
relations with Myanmar, Clinton made it clear that the U.S. is now committed to engaging the generals
rather than ostracizing them. "This has to be resolved within the Burmese people themselves. We are
not setting or dictating any conditions," she said.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Myanmar will no longer dictate ASEAN ties - White House
AFP - 9 November 2009
The United States said Monday it would no longer allow its row with Myanmar to hold its ties with
Southeast Asia hostage, as President Barack Obama geared up for his debut official visit to the
region. Obama is due to hold the first-ever meeting between a US president and leaders of all 10
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, including Myanmar Prime Minister Thein
Sein, on Sunday in Singapore. "One of the frustrations that we've had with policy toward Burma over
recent years has been that the inability to have interaction with Burma has prevented certain kinds of
interaction with ASEAN as a whole," said Obama's top Asia policy aide Jeffrey Bader. "The statement
we're trying to make here is that we're not going to let the Burmese tail wag the ASEAN dog."
Interview with US Chargé d'Affairs in Yangon Larry Dinger
Myanmar Times - 2 November 2009
13
US Department of State: Burma Policy Review
Interview with Scot Marciel at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, on 5 November 2009
An extended Question and Answer session with Scot Marciel on the results of the visit to Myanmar by
Kurt Campbell and himself.
_________________________________________________________________________________
US delegation leaves Myanmar
New Light of Myanmar - 6 November 2009
In a brief concluding report on Page 10, the official New Light of Myanmar notes that, although
arrangements had been made for Kurt Campbell to meet representatives of the National Unity Party
and other registered political parties, he met instead at the residence of the US Ambassador "some
persons who are still being scrutinized."
________________________________________________________________________________
Report of Visit to Myanmar by the US Assistant Secretary of State
New Light of Myanmar - 5 November 2009
The Myanmar State daily reports on the various meetings attended by Assistant Secretary Kurt
Campbell. The newspaper notes that Suu Kyi was offered a meeting with members of the NLD
Central Executive Committee, but that she declined as one member U Tin Oo (who has been
detained since 30 May 2003) was not allowed to attend.
________________________________________________________________________________
Myanmar election needs Suu Kyi involvement, US says
Reuters/Yahoo News - 5 November 2009
Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel urges the international community to judge Myanmar on
results, not on pledges, adding that the United States was taking a "pragmatic approach" and did not
expect immediate progress. "We're going into this with eyes wide open, we're not under any illusions
and we're aware that success is far from guaranteed," he said. "We will proceed for a while and if it
doesn't work, we'll try something new. We should be very humble and not assume we have the
answers until we have results."
________________________________________________________________________________
Envoy says US ready to improve ties
Channel News Asia 5 November 2009
Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel in Bangkok speaks to a public forum in Bangkok on the
results of the visit to Myanmar by Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell. "This is early days, the first time
we met most of these people. It's going to take some time to see how they respond. We are willing to
move ahead in terms of bilateral relations, but we are only going to do that if there is real progress."
________________________________________________________________________________
US envoy in talks with Suu Kyi
A report from correspondents in Yangon - Perth Now 4 November 2009
Top US envoy meets with Myanmar dissident Aung San Suu Kyi
Associated Press - 4 November 2009
US ready to take steps to improve relations with Myanmar
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 4 November 2009
US holds rare talks with Aung San Suu Kyi
Reuters - 4 November 2009
EuroNews Video: Top US official meets Myanmar's Suu Kyi - 4 November 2009
Reuter Video: US talks to Myanmar's Suu Kyi - 4 November 2009
US Policy Toward Burma - 21 October 2009
House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs: Full Committee Hearing
• Opening remarks of Chairman Howard L Berman
• Testimony of Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary and Video Presentation
• Testimony of Tom Malinowski, Advocacy Director Human Rights Watch
14
• Testimony of Chris Beyrer, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Testimony of Aung Din, Executive Director, US Campaign for Burma
• Full webcast of the hearing
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Oral and Written Testimony at the Hearings on Burma - 30 September 2009
• Video Webcast of the proceedings
• Opening remarks by Senator Webb
• Dr Thant Myint-U (Writer and Historian)
• Professor David I Steinberg (School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University)
• Professor David C Williams (Centre for Constitutional Democracy)
• Kurt M Campbell (Assistant Secretary Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs)
• Dr Kyi May Khaung (Writer and Scholar)
• Ethnic Nationalities Council
Excerpts from a letter from Kent Wiedemann US Chargé d'Affaires in Rangoon 1996 to 1999 to
Senator Webb read out by the Senator during the SFRC Sub-Committee hearing [from 35 minutes 5
seconds] on 30 September 2009:
"I frequently met with Aung San Suu Kyi during my service from 1996 to 1999. Her aim was to form a
transitional coalition government with the military as a first step towards eventual democracy. At her
request I conveyed that message to the SPDC senior leaders. I also related Suu Kyi's pledge to
eschew any punitive legal action against them if agreements were reached on a political transition.
Suu Kyi saw the United States and other international sanctions as tactical tools to draw the SPDC
into a dialogue. US based human rights activists did not accept Suu Kyi's vision for political
compromise. They said they saw sanctions as weapons to force regime change. I believe that our
escalation, our pressure on the regime did much harm and little good."
________________________________________________________________________________
Meeting between Assistant Secretary Campbell and U Thaung in New York
State Department Daily Press Briefing - 30 September 2009
US Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell met Minister of Science and Technology in New York on 29
September 2009, the first meeting at such a level for some considerable time.
________________________________________________________________________________
Webb fires back at critics of his Burmese outreach
Foreign Policy.com - 18 September 2009
In recent weeks, Virginia Senator Jim Webb has ignited a fierce controversy over U.S. engagement
with Burma while the Obama administration is still debating its policy toward the thuggish, isolated
Southeast Asian state. Webb, a Navy secretary under Ronald Reagan and a Marine Corps veteran of
the Vietnam War, has plenty of critics, who portray him as a military man distrustful of diplomats and
politicians alike. But Webb, who chairs the formerly sleepy Senate Foreign Relations Asia
subcommittee, is nonetheless a one-man blur of diplomatic activity, and Asia hands are taking notice.
Many, however, see him as a bull in a China shop, gallivanting around Asia upsetting the delicate
balance the Washington foreign-policy establishment is working to maintain. Webb's supporters point
out that his extensive Asia experience goes back decades and his diplomatic activism is based on his
historical perspective and his independent connections there.
Comment by Network Myanmar: Senator Jim Webb may not unfortunately have understood before
his visit to Myanmar the full extent of the profound polarisation in Burmese politics which set Suu Kyi
against him from the start. There was no meeting of minds. The message Suu Kyi was no doubt trying
to get across to him was that she was not in principle opposed to the withdrawal of sanctions provided
this was negotiated through the NLD which would enable her to open talks with Senior General Than
Shwe. Senator Webb would have seen the withdrawal of sanctions in the context of the process of
normalisation between Myanmar and the US in which US interests could be fully taken into account,
including such issues as maritime piracy, international terrorism, narcotics control and a range of
other cross-border issues on which the US and Myanmar have common concerns, but which are
likely to be of little or no interest to the NLD in their present situation. Senator Webb would not wish to
allow US interests to be subordinated to NLD interests, yet this may well be what Suu Kyi believes as
she holds US policy on Myanmar in thrall to human rights issues and the NLD's agenda. It is also
15
what many activists believe and why they resist and resent Jim Webb's attempt to take back the
initiative on US-Myanmar relations from lobbyists who hold the US to ransom over Myanmar.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Web woefully unaware of Burma's problems
Huffington Post 31 August 2009
Ami Cholia, a Burmese activist, issues a sharp critique of Senator Webb which generally reflects
overseas activist reactions to the visit. Comments on the article however are generally supportive of
Senator Webb and some are highly critical of Ami Cholia.
_______________________________________________________________________________
"We can't afford to ignore Myanmar" - Senator Jim Webb
New York Times - 26 August 2009
Senator Webb writes: "For more than 10 years, the United States and the European Union have
employed a policy of ever-tightening economic sanctions against Myanmar, in part fueled by the
military government’s failure to recognize the results of a 1990 election won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s
party. While the political motivations behind this approach are laudable, the result has been
overwhelmingly counterproductive. The ruling regime has become more entrenched and at the same
time more isolated. The Burmese people have lost access to the outside world." He concludes: "So
what can and should be done?
"First, we must focus on what is possible. The military government in Myanmar has committed itself to
elections in 2010, as part of its announced “seven steps toward democracy.” Many point out that the
Constitution approved last year in a plebiscite is flawed, since it would allow the military to largely
continue its domination of the government, and that the approval process itself was questionable. The
legislation to put the Constitution into force has yet to be drafted. The National League for
Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, has not agreed to participate in next year’s elections.
"But there is room for engagement. Many Asian countries - China among them - do not even allow
opposition parties. The National League for Democracy might consider the advantages of
participation as part of a longer-term political strategy. And the United States could invigorate the
debate with an offer to help assist the electoral process. The Myanmar government’s answer to such
an offer would be revealing.
"Second, the United States needs to develop clearly articulated standards for its relations with the
nondemocratic world. Our distinct policies toward different countries amount to a form of situational
ethics that does not translate well into clear-headed diplomacy. We must talk to Myanmar’s leaders.
This does not mean that we should abandon our aspirations for a free and open Burmese society, but
that our goal will be achieved only through a different course of action.
"The United States refused to talk to the Chinese until 1971, more than 20 years after the Communist
takeover, and did not resume full diplomatic relations until 1979. And yet China, with whom we seem
inextricably tied both as a business partner and a strategic competitor, has no democracy and has
never held a national election.
"The Hanoi government agreed to internationally supervised elections for Vietnam in 1973, as a result
of the Paris peace talks; Washington did not raise this as a precondition to furthering relations. As
someone who has worked hard to build a bridge between Hanoi and America’s strongly
anticommunist Vietnamese community, I believe the greatest factor in creating a more open society
inside Vietnam was the removal of America’s trade embargo in 1994.
"Third, our government leaders should call on China to end its silence about the situation in Myanmar,
and to act responsibly, in keeping with its role as an ascending world power. Americans should not
hold their collective breaths that China will give up the huge strategic advantage it has gained as a
result of our current policies. But such a gesture from our government would hold far more sway in
world opinion than has the repeated but predictable condemnation of Myanmar’s military government.
"Finally, with respect to reducing sanctions, we should proceed carefully but immediately. If there is
reciprocation from the government of Myanmar in terms of removing the obstacles that now confront
us, there would be several ways for our two governments to move forward. We could begin with
humanitarian projects. We might also seek cooperation on our long-held desire to recover the remains
of World War II airmen at crash sites in the country’s north.
"Our ultimate goal, as it always has been, should be to encourage Myanmar to become a responsible
member of the world community, and to end the isolation of its people so that they can live in
economic prosperity, under an open political system."
_________________________________________________________________________________
16
Let's open golden door in unison
Editorial in New Light of Myanmar - 20 August 2009
A call for an end to sanctions: "According to his announcement, Senator Webb had to take time to
hold discussions about economic sanctions in his 45-minute meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
under the arrangements made by Myanmar authorities. He said that the meeting focused on when
economic sanctions worked and when they did not. He expressed his opinion that economic
sanctions did not work in a situation like Myanmar issue; that the nation could easily overcome
economic sanctions by keeping on trading with neighbouring countries; that he did not agree much
with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in that regard; and that but he thought that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did
not oppose the programme to lift some economic sanctions."
________________________________________________________________________________
Sanctions - a stumbling block for Burma
Mizzima - 18 August 2009
Ohn Kyaing, a spokesperson for the National League for Democracy has said that Aung San Suu Kyi
has explicitly denied having commented to the visiting US Senator Webb that she will not oppose the
lifting of some of the economic sanctions. “Senator Webb might have misinterpreted Aung San Suu
Kyi, because she explicitly denies making any comments that could indicate that she will not oppose
lifting sanctions,” Ohn Kyaing said. Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday evening told her party
spokesperson Nyan Win, who visited her as her lawyer, to discuss her case, that she had been
misinterpreted by Webb. “U Nyan Win had told us that Aung San Suu Kyi is not happy with the
comments and feels that she had been misinterpreted wrongly. Sanctions were not called for by her
and she has no power to remove it, but she is willing to work together with the ruling junta,” Ohn
Kyaing said. Time and again, Burma’s ruling generals have accused Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD
party of advocating economic sanctions and opting for total devastation and confrontation with the
junta and had asked Aung San Suu Kyi to call for lifting the sanctions. But the NLD, Ohn Kyaing said,
has never called for economic sanctions and has no power to withdraw it. “We believe that the first
step in trying to lift sanctions is to begin with a discussion between the opposition and the junta and to
work together to develop the country,” Ohn Kyaing said. It is meaningless to accuse the NLD of
choosing utter devastation of the country, when the Generals are unwilling to talk to anybody and
unwilling to cooperate with others to work for the development of the country, he added.
_________________________________________________________________________________
"The first step of a long journey"
New Light of Myanmar commentary on Senator Webb's visit - 18 August 2009
Kyaw Ye Min, a local writer, comments in detail on Senator Webb's visit, Mr Yettaw, EU sanctions and
the UN Secretary-General and concludes: "The US government has issued a statement welcoming
the visit of Mr Jim Webb and his success. Internal and external media also remarked that Mr Jim
Webb was the first person as a US top official who was allowed to meet the leader of Myanmar. His
visit was more successful than expected due to the positive responses of the Myanmar government."
_________________________________________________________________________________
US Senator: Suu Kyi may not oppose lifting of some sanctions
Associated Press - 17 August 2009
Senator Webb, in a press conference Monday in Bangkok, said he wanted to be careful not to
misrepresent Suu Kyi's views, but it was his "clear impression from her that she is not opposed to
lifting some sanctions," and that "there would be some areas she would be willing to look at." He said
the sanctions issue was not specifically raised in his talk with Than Shwe, "although obviously it's the
elephant in the bedroom." He declined to reveal details of his talks with Suu Kyi and Than Shwe,
saying that he will report to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton when he returns to
Washington.
_________________________________________________________________________________
John Yettaw Freed
The Times - 17 August 2009
In his meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Mr Webb encouraged her to take part in fresh elections
planned for next year. “I did encourage her to work within the political process if that would be
possible,” Mr Webb said - although Ms Suu Kyi and her political party, the National League for
17
Democracy, regard the regime’s constitution as illegitimate, rendering any election flawed from the
beginning. Still more controversial is Mr Webb’s support for a lifting of sanctions that Western leaders,
particularly Gordon Brown, regard as a key instrument of pressure on the regime. “The sanctions of
the past several years have increased Myanmar’s isolation from Western governments and culture,”
the Democratic senator said. “These are major impediments in allowing the Burmese people the kind
of access to the outside world that is essential to their economic and political growth. “And yet at the
same time these sanctions have allowed China to dramatically increase its economic and political
influence in Myanmar, creating an imbalance that affects the long-term national goals of many other
countries. This is not healthy for the region.”
Uncertainties remain following Webb's Myanmar Visit
Wall Street Journal - 16 August 2009
On Saturday, Webb became the first U.S. political leader to meet Senior General Than Shwe, and
was also allowed to meet with Suu Kyi to discuss the sanctions dilemma, among other topics, raising
tentative hopes among some exiled opposition figures that the military government may be signalling
a willingness to soften its stance toward her. "We had a very long discussion about when [sanctions]
work and when they don't work," Webb said at a news conference in Bangkok on Sunday. Webb also
secured the release of a U.S. citizen, John Yettaw, who on Aug. 11 was sentenced to seven years in
jail for breaking the terms of Suu Kyi's house arrest by swimming uninvited to her lakeside mansion in
Yangon, the nation's largest city. Yettaw arrived in Bangkok with Webb on Sunday and is receiving
medical treatment for a series of recent seizures. Speculation is growing among some dissidents that
Suu Kyi is coming close to saying that there is a case for easing sanctions on Myanmar after years of
advocating economic isolation. After realizing that sanctions have done little to dislodge the generals,
"she wants to compromise," says Nyo Ohn Myint, a former close aide to Suu Kyi and a foreign affairs
spokesperson for her political party, the National League for Democracy. "We need to sacrifice
whatever it takes for the country." Webb chose not to disclose whether Suu Kyi made a statement on
sanctions during their discussions, saying she wanted to wait for a united statement from her National
League for Democracy.
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New Light of Myanmar coverage of Senator Jim Webb's visit to Myanmar
16 August 2009
Pages 1, 16 and 9 of New Light of Myanmar report on Senator Jim Webb's visit
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US Senator to Leave Myanmar with convicted American
Yahoo News/AFP - 15 August 2009
US Senator Jim Webb will fly out of Myanmar on Sunday with John William Yettaw, an American
convicted to seven years imprisonment, after securing his release from the military regime, Webb's
office said in a statement Saturday."I am grateful to the Myanmar government for honoring these
requests," Webb said in the statement. "It is my hope that we can take advantage of these gestures
as a way to begin laying a foundation of goodwill and confidence-building in the future," he said.
• Senator Webb's wife is Vietnamese and the Senator speaks Vietnamese. Click here for Hong
("Rose") Le Webb speaking about her husband. She accompanied him to Myanmar and met Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Senator Webb - Press Release 14 August 2009: Position on Burma
Senator Webb meets Than Shwe, Suu Kyi and NLD leaders
Al Jazeera - 15 August 2009
Report on the latest stage of Senator Webb's visit to Myanmar. He is accompanied by a US trade
delegation. "Jim Webb, a US Democratic senator, held separate meetings on Saturday with Senior
General Than Shwe, Myanmar's military ruler, and Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, on the
second day of his visit to the Southeast Asian nation. After concluding his meeting with Than Shwe in
the remote administrative capital Naypyidaw, Webb travelled to Yangon, the commercial hub, to meet
Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate, at a government guesthouse near her home."
US Senator in historic talks with Myanmar military chief
Channel News Asia 15 August 2009
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US Senator Jim Webb began historic talks with Myanmar’s military leader Than Shwe on Saturday,
becoming the first senior Washington official to meet the head of the military government, officials
said. The landmark encounter in Than Shwe's bunker-like capital Naypyidaw comes just days after
Myanmar authorities drew international condemnation by extending pro-democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi's house arrest. In a surprise development, Webb could meet with Suu Kyi herself and with
John Yettaw, an American man who sparked the Nobel laureate's trial by swimming to her lakeside
house in May, according to local officials. "The US senator has started his meeting with the Senior
General," a Myanmar government official said on condition of anonymity after the talks. Details of their
discussions were not immediately available.
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