International and Regional Involvement
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2010-08-06
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Geographical Location of Burma/Myanmar;
Country Report;
Historical Background;
1988: Prospects for Re-emerging of Democracy;
Democracy?s Light Begins to Dim;
National Council of the Union of Burma;
I. Rule of Law, or ?Law and Order??;
II. Unconstructive SPDC?s Stance on Regional Cooperation;
III. Militarization of Burma and Regional Instability:
A Military Build-up Bursting at Its Seams;
IV. Genocidal Policies and Practices of the Military Regime;
V. Arrest, Arbitrary Detention, and Disappearance;
VI. Torture and Extrajudicial Killings;
VII. Political Prisoners and Former Political Prisoners;
VIII. Forced Labour and Forced Relocation;
IX. The Rights of the Child;
X. Women?s Rights and Realities;
XI. Violence Against Women:
Soldiers Licensed to Rape;
XII. Refugees and Migrants:
Mass Exodus from an Intolerable Situation;
XIII. Inhuman Living Condition: Economic Mismanagement;
XIV. Illegal Drug Industry:
Bane of the International Community;
XV. HIV Epidemic: Crisis on the Horizon.
Source/publisher:
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
Date of publication:
2003-09-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-08-06
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International and Regional Involvement
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* Crucial developments are taking place in Burma / Myanmar?s political landscape.
Generation change, the change of the nominal political system, and the recovery
from a major natural disaster can lead to many directions. Some of these changes
can possibly pave the way for violent societal disruptions.
* As an external actor the international community may further add to political
tensions through their intervening policies. For this reason it is very important that
the international community assesses its impact on the agents and structure of
conflict in Burma / Myanmar.
* This study aims at mapping the opportunities and risks that various types of
international aid interventions may have in the country.
* The study utilizes and further develops the peace and conflict impact assessment
methodology of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Timo Kivimaki & Paul Pasch
Source/publisher:
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (PCIA - Country Conflict-Analysis Study)
Date of publication:
2009-09-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-24
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dialogue/reform/transition in Burma/Myanmar - analyses and statements, International and Regional Involvement, The discussion on humanitarian assistance to Burma, EU economic development assistance
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On March 5-6, diplomats and officials from 14 countries met with Burma experts and representatives of the United Nations and the World Bank in Seoul, South Korea to discuss the possibility of new initiatives to end Burma?s political impasse. This ?brainstorming session? ended, predictably, with no fresh ideas and no indication that Asian and Western nations had come any closer to a consensus on how to deal with the situation inside Burma. But far from being yet another diplomatic nonevent, ?Chilston II?, the follow-up to a similar meeting that took place in Chilston, England nearly two years ago, may mark a significant shift in the direction of international efforts to resolve the Burmese stalemate.
Editorial
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 8, No. 3
Date of publication:
2000-02-29
Date of entry/update:
2009-02-18
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"...This report advocates a policy of engagement with the present
government to work towards sustainable dialogue. This does not mean
appeasement in support of the status quo; rather, it advocates stability
in change through gradualism. The international community needs to
prioritize the challenges facing the country and decide how to deal
with the most practical and urgent ones first... If one is to accept the high risk of any sudden regime instability,
possible state collapse, and further human insecurity as undesirable,
gradualism as an approach should then be adopted. If so, the
Burma/Myanmar question (or debate) could perhaps be reframed as a
process instead, namely:
· Reform through Relief
· Democracy (and Human rights) through Development
· Change through Continuity...
Burma/Myanmar is not at the crossroads - the country has long
wandered into the wilderness. It is the international community that is
at the crossroads. While recognizing the need for action, there is no
consensus as to what ?action” would actually entail. This underlines
the lack of credibility on the international community?s part. The
varied responses of members of the international community thus far
have further complicated efforts in Burma/Myanmar?s road to
recovery. Opposing strategies between the West and Asian states have
cancelled out each other?s efforts, since Burma/Myanmar, and
especially the military leaders, can rely on Asia to fulfill its needs, at
least partially...The UN Security Council is not the best of places to resolve the
Burma/Myanmar crisis. Nonetheless, the UN Special Envoy should
continue to maintain contacts with the SPDC as a channel for
diplomacy both formally and informally. The UN should also look
into the further use of its various agencies to address the development
and humanitarian situation in the country. While operating inside the
country, they can also formally and informally engage not just the
military leadership, but also mid-ranking officers, as well as the
various ethnic communities...It is accepted that democratization and a return to genuine civilian
control is an essential ingredient for the treatment of the country?s
many ailments. The issue here concerns timing and process. A sensible
solution is to facilitate the improvement of civilian-military relations,
leading to eventual democratic transition. Such an approach is more
realistic than the abrupt displacement of the existing military regime
in the hope that a civilian government would be able to assume
control...Burma/Myanmar is riddled with extremely complex problems and there is
no silver bullet remedy for its ailments. Action must be tempered by realistic
and practical goals and that means working towards gradual change in the
country by adopting a long term and holistic perspective of what needs to be
done. The admirable thing about Aung San Suu Kyi has long been her
patient dedication to peaceful and non-violent struggle. Therefore, while the
intentions are admittedly good, it would nevertheless be shameful to see
misguided policies flung towards the existing (and highly unpopular)
military government in a way which could plunge the country into state
collapse ? or worse ? civil war. The only peaceful solution available would be
a political settlement, starting with political dialogue, which would enable
the three parties to reconcile their differences ? or at least work out a
cohabitation arrangement ? so that the country could embark on a genuine
and sustained path of recovery. The international community?s role is to
facilitate such a process, rather than be overly occupied with the idea of
regime change..."
Christopher Len, Johan Alvin
Source/publisher:
Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program - Johns Hopkins University-SAIS & Uppsala University
Date of publication:
2007-02-28
Date of entry/update:
2007-05-26
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International and Regional Involvement
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"
The ongoing offensives by Burma?s ruling State Peace & Development Council (SPDC) military junta have already been analysed in KHRG?s previous Commentary (#2006-C1), released just one week ago on May 19th. That commentary demonstrated that these attacks are not targeting the armed opposition, but are deliberately aimed at destroying the homes and food supplies of Karen hill villagers and shooting men, women and children on sight in a systematic attempt to wipe them out. International law, particularly the UN Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), defines this as genocide, and it also stands in violation of every international human rights convention and of international humanitarian law as expressed in the Geneva Conventions. However, in the past week it has become clear that the United Nations Secretariat is attempting to cover up this genocide and bring about a normalisation of relations with the SPDC regime, without even insisting that the regime stop its military attacks on civilians.
From May 18th to 20th, UN under-secretary general for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari visited Rangoon. Second to Kofi Annan in the UN bureaucracy, he is the most senior UN official to visit Burma in years. The visit came at a time when international outcry against the SPDC?s attacks on Karen villagers was reaching its height, and activists and the US government were demanding that Burma be placed on the agenda of the UN Security Council. On April 28th this year, the Council passed Resolution 1674 noting that the ?deliberate targeting of civilians
and the commission of systematic, flagrant and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law
may constitute a threat to international peace and security” and expressing its ?readiness to consider such situations and, where necessary, to adopt appropriate steps”. So one would expect Gambari to have spent much of his time insisting that the SPDC immediately cease its genocidal attacks against Karen villagers. He did not. Instead he focused most of his efforts on encouraging the SPDC to release one person ? Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) political party. He expressed ?concern” over the Karen offensive ? UN language for ?we have noticed, but we will not interfere” ? and suggested that the SPDC cease the attacks, but then went on to talk about how the SPDC could go about securing more foreign aid...."
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group Commentaries (KHRG #2006-C2)
Date of publication:
2006-05-26
Date of entry/update:
2006-05-26
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"?The Irrawaddy? speaks to outgoing UN Special Envoy to Burma Razali Ismail regarding his decision not to renew his contract and therefore leave the post on January 4. Ismail spent nearly five years in the role, enjoying early success in managing to bring the National League for Democracy and the military government together for talks, while making nearly a dozen trips to Rangoon. However, the last two years of Ismail?s mandate were marred by the junta?s unwillingness to allow him into the country..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 14, No. 1
Date of publication:
2005-12-31
Date of entry/update:
2006-05-01
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China and Russia have previously blocked a US move to put Burma to the UN Security Council, but there is little reason for them to block a similar attempt this time around...
"Much of the attention surrounding the September report by former Czech president Vaclav Havel and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu concerns its labeling Burma as a greater threat to regional peace than past cases in which the UN Security Council has intervened. While this is an interesting assertion, Burma watchers will find few surprises in the report?s litany of abuses in Burma. We should instead focus on whether the UNSC would actually accept the report?s recommendations. In this respect, the Tutu-Havel report presents a reasonable compromise that could potentially attract sufficient support at least to place Burma on the UNSC agenda and possibly lead to a new consensus on how to handle the recalcitrant generals in Rangoon..."
Arnold Corso
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 11
Date of publication:
2005-10-31
Date of entry/update:
2006-05-01
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Pinheiro?s plea to the Burmese regime...
"Effectively barred from carrying out his responsibilities in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights, says the UN could nevertheless work with the Rangoon regime if the junta clarified its aims. Brazilian-born Pinheiro spoke to The Irrawaddy during a visit to Bangkok..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 6
Date of publication:
2005-05-31
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-28
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"...Since 1990, most Western governments have taken a
self-consciously principled approach to Myanmar,
applying coercive diplomacy and economic
sanctions in an effort to force the military
government to implement the results of the multiparty
election held that year. The 30 May 2003
attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers
increased both political pressure and justification for
strengthening this approach. However, the military
government today is more entrenched and more
recalcitrant than when it took power. The prodemocratic
opposition -- although it maintains broad
popular support -- has lost much of its momentum,
and international actors have demonstrably failed to
protect even Aung San Suu Kyi, not to speak of less
prominent figures, from persecution. Meanwhile, the
socio-economic conditions for a majority of the
population have greatly deteriorated. In short, things
are moving the wrong way.
The much gentler 'engagement' policy embraced by
most of Myanmar's Asian neighbours for most of the
period of military rule has been equally unproductive.
In the absence of any external pressure at all for
change, it is highly unlikely that any change at all will
occur.
The people of Myanmar need greater say in the
governance of their country. The failure of 40 years
of military rule to provide human welfare and
security consonant with the country's great natural
potential is closely linked to the absence of popular
participation in decision-making. For now, however,
the configuration of power and interests inside the
country are not conducive to major, quick change --
and there are no "magic bullets", no realistic policy
options that can change that. In such circumstances,
efforts are required to change political, social and
economic realities over a longer period in ways that
would facilitate better governance and the gradual
introduction and consolidation of genuinely democratic
institutions.
That is only likely to happen if coercive measures
are allied to a more flexible, intensive and sustained
diplomatic strategy that does not in any way
embrace the military government, but rather includes
a greater willingness to pursue some half-measures,
small steps and even limited cooperation in order to
begin to move the country forward while protecting
those who suffer under the status quo or might be
hurt by future reforms. International objectives have
to be rethought, new benchmarks for change
adopted, a more supportive approach toward
creating a positive internal climate of change
adopted, and more support given to the UN in its
important mediation and facilitation role.
The road map put forward by the SPDC and
realignments within the military government offer a
sign of movement, slight though it may be, in the
political situation. This provides an opportunity to
encourage progress and should not be dismissed out
of hand. Any government or institution that deals
with Myanmar needs to maintain an acute sense of
the realities of the country: change is often painfully
slow and easily reversed, the military is an intensely
difficult institution with which to deal, and outside
influence on any of the actors is very limited.
The international community should take whatever
opportunity is presented to encourage whatever
progress is possible. That means developing a new
policy approach -- containing elements of the
present sanctions approach of the West and
engagement policy of the region, but more
productive than either -- that brings together
international actors rather than divides them, creates
an environment for change in the country and offers
a way out for all parties that has a chance of being
accepted..."
Source/publisher:
International Crisis Group (ICG)
Date of publication:
2004-04-26
Date of entry/update:
2004-04-26
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dialogue/reform/transition in Burma/Myanmar - analyses and statements, Formal Sanctions, International and Regional Involvement
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Update to incorporate the Special Envoy?s visit to Burma, 30 September to 2 October 2003
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/58/325/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2003-11-06
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-19
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
Language:
English
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Research Paper of the BURMA UN SERVICE OFFICE and the BURMA FUND...
Contents:
Executive Summary;
The Role of the Security Council Assigned by the United Nations Charter;
The determination of a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression? under Article 39 of the Charter;
1. Internal conflicts as a threat to the peace;
2. Violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and humanitarian crises, as a threat to the peace;
3. Disruption to democracy as a threat to the peace;
Why the Security Council should determine that the situation in Burma constitutes a threat to the peace?;
Disruption to democracy:
Internal conflict and gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law;
Dire Humanitarian situation;
The United Nations Secretary-General?s power under Article 99 of the Charter;
Coercive Measures:
Existing Sanctions Against the Burmese Regime.
A Model Security Council Targeted Sanctions Regime for Burma...The pdf version on the ncgub site is tarted-up, with photos and layout, and a modified title: "Crisis in Burma: AN Agenda for the United Nations Security Council?"
Source/publisher:
Burma UN Service Office, Burma Fund
Date of publication:
2003-09-05
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-24
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International and Regional Involvement
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"...The present report is based upon the good offices efforts undertaken by the
Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, in attempting to facilitate
national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar, in accordance with General
Assembly resolution 57/231 of 18 December 2002. The discussions that the
Secretary-General and his Special Envoy have had separately with the Myanmar
authorities during this reporting period continued to focus on the issue of how the
United Nations can be of assistance in facilitating the national reconciliation process
in Myanmar. During this period, the optimism that followed the lifting of the
remaining restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 11 May 2002 dissipated.
Contrary to the expectations of the Myanmar people, who are overwhelmingly in
favour of change, and the United Nations, there was no substantive progress towards
national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar. Following the events in
northern Myanmar of 30 May, which resulted in the detention of Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Myanmar?s
embryonic and home-grown national reconciliation process, as understood by the
United Nations, was halted. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders still
remain detained and incommunicado at the time of this reporting. The Secretary-
General remains gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of these NLD
leaders and others detained after 30 May and reiterates his call for the Myanmar
authorities to remove, without delay, all the restrictions imposed on their freedom of
movement and political activities. He is also seriously concerned that the absence of 2
A/58/325
progress in the process of national reconciliation and democratization is to the
detriment of the Myanmar people, who voted for change in 1990 and deserve to
experience the same benefits of economic, civil, social and political development as
their counterparts in neighbouring countries. The Secretary-General reiterates his
determination to do his utmost to revive the national reconciliation process if all
parties are willing. He particularly appeals to the leaders of the State Peace and
Development Council to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and commence substantive
political dialogue with her immediately, so that national reconciliation and
democratization in Myanmar can be achieved at an early date, with the participation
of all the interested parties concerned, and in a way that brings immediate and
tangible benefits to the Myanmar people..."
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/58/325)
Date of publication:
2003-08-25
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-01
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
Language:
English
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When the UN assistant secretary general met leaders of the ruling State Peace and Development Council last time in October, this year, he sprang a surprise on them - the UN and the World Bank, he told them, were willing to discuss the possibility of offering humanitarian and technical assistance to Burma if thepolitical deadlock could be broken.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 6, No. 6
Date of publication:
1998-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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International and Regional Involvement
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/1996/157)
Date of publication:
1996-04-17
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English (Francais, Espanol non disponible)
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/1997/129)
Date of publication:
1997-03-27
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/1999/29)
Date of publication:
1999-04-07
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/2001/33)
Date of publication:
2001-03-22
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/2002/35)
Date of publication:
2002-03-18
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
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English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (E/CN.4/2003/33)
Date of publication:
2003-03-10
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
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English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/52/587)
Date of publication:
1997-11-10
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/53/657)
Date of publication:
1998-11-10
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
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Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/50/509)
Date of publication:
2000-10-20
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement, The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
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English
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United Nations A/57/484
General Assembly Distr.: General
16 October 2002
Original: English
Fifty-seventh session
Agenda item 109 (c)
Summary:
"The present report is based upon the good offices undertaken by the Secretary-
General and his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, to facilitate national reconciliation and
democratization in Myanmar, in accordance with General Assembly resolution
56/231 of 24 December 2001. The discussions that the Secretary-General and his
Special Envoy have had separately with the Myanmar authorities during the reporting
period have focused on the issue of how the United Nations, which has been
facilitating the confidence-building talks that started between the Government and
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in October 2000, can be of assistance in moving these
discussions towards a more substantive dialogue. Some significant developments
have taken place, including the restoration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?s freedom of
movement on 6 May. However, substantive dialogue between the Government and
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not started yet. Concerned that the positive momentum
generated since this spring will be lost unless some tangible progress is made in the
near future, the Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Government and Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi to set aside their differences, unite for the larger cause of national
reconciliation and start their political dialogue as soon as possible so that a national
reconciliation acceptable to all interested parties in Myanmar can be achieved at an
early date.
* The present report is being submitted on 16 October 2002 so as to include as much up-to-date
information as possible..."
Source/publisher:
United Nations A/57/484
Date of publication:
2002-10-16
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
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English
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"The Irrawaddy spoke to Sunai Phasuk of Forum-Asia, a Bangkok-based rights group, about new efforts by the Thai government to engage Burma.
Question: What do you think of Thai Prime Minster Thaksin?s recent proposal to act as a negotiator between the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] and ethnic groups?
Answer: This is the cornerstone of Thaksin?s Burma policy, but perhaps it is the most unrealistic part of his policy. His achievements—I guess we cannot call them achievements yet—but we see concrete moves in efforts to build up economic ties and efforts to create communication channels. But in terms of the role of Thailand in mediating the conflict between the SPDC and ethnic groups, Thailand hasn?t proved it has any credentials, apart from it?s geographical location..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 1
Date of publication:
2002-12-31
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
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"We welcome any assistance from anywhere that is offered with goodwill and sincerity. And we will consider it when it comes. But for us, giving a banana to the monkey and then asking it to dance is not the way. We are not monkeys..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 6, No. 6
Date of publication:
1998-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
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International and Regional Involvement
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