Opinion:
'We shall have no [personal] business deals with the [Burmese] junta; we shall observe human rights and environmental concerns'
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling on the Burmese military leadership to free all political prisoners, including detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The UN's chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ then went on to criticise the human rights record of the regime, singling out incidents of torture and sexual abuse and the crackdown on peaceful protesters in September 2007. The resolution also decries the failure of the regime to include other political parties, in particular the National League for Democracy of Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic political groups in the planned general election.
The measure was approved by a margin of 80 votes to 25, with 45 abstentions, one of which was registered by Thailand. The abstention, which comes in the first days of the Abhisit government which many had hoped would play a leading role in the areas of human rights and democracy in the region, was a perfect example of the fence-straddling on Burma by successive governments such as those led by the Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties, and including the interim government installed by the September 2006 coup leaders.
In abstaining, Thailand may have been adhering to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of fellow member states. After all Thailand was joined by fellow Asean members Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore in abstaining, while Brunei, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam voted against the resolution. The Cambodian representative was not present.
New Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot really be expected to make a major policy shift on Burma or on any of a number of other important areas in these very early days of his government, but it could be hoped he would quickly push on with the new direction he has indicated he will pursue in Thai-Burmese relations.
In an interview with the Al Jazeera news network, Mr Abhisit said he would try to convince Asean nations of the importance of human rights to the international community. He said that unless the organisation's efforts to enshrine human rights are credible in the eyes of the international community, Asean will not be able to achieve its objectives. He added that the ''West and Asean have a common objective. We want to bring good change in Myanmar
[Burma].''
The last Democrat prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, who is sometimes referred to as Mr Abhisit's mentor, is well known for having taken a principled stand on Burma. In a break with tradition, he refused to make any state visits to that country during his second term as PM from late 1997 to early 2001. Also his foreign minister, Surin Pitsuwan, now secretary-general of Asean, proposed in July 1999 that Asean become more open to discussion of human rights issues in member states and in particular take a more proactive stand on Burma.
If Mr Abhisit can be taken at his word that he is truly committed to moving Burma to a position where it is willing to open up and make concessions, he has little choice but to work within Asean, at least at this time. And if Asean is to become a credible force for human rights it will have to take positive steps in that direction rather quickly.
On the other hand, there are some important things Thailand can do on its own to push the Burmese leadership towards democracy and human rights, and as well to improve the lot of the two million Burmese migrants in Thailand.
New Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, speaking at an academic conference on Dec 19, said Thailand would now run an ethical foreign policy, in contrast to that of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his hand-picked successors. ''From now on, there will be no personal business dealings on the side,'' Mr Kasit said. ''This government will not mix business and politics. We shall have no [personal] business deals with the [Burmese] junta; we shall observe human rights and environmental concerns; we shall treat Burmese as we do Thais.''
Of course, living up to these pledges is much easier said than done in the face of the vested interests and entrenched attitudes that have shaped dealings with Thailand and Burma over the years. But they do provide at least some hope that the past errors of our ways will be corrected.
Source: Bangkok Post
