07/12/2007, 00.00
UN-MYANMAR-CHINA
Send to a friend

Dialogue with Beijing is essential for democracy in Myanmar

The idea is behind the UN’s special envoy for Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari’s current trip to Asia, to push the regime to recognise human rights and democracy. First stop in China, then India and Japan. But Beijing responds: the situation in Myanmar is no concern of ours, it is an internal question.

New York (AsiaNews) – “Any effort to promote positive changes in Myanmar [Burma] is going to require not o­nly direct dialogue with the government and people of the country, but also dialogue with all interested countries and all who can potentially help support our efforts”. Above all China.  This short statement by Marie Okabe, vice spokesperson for the UN secretary general, underline the meaning if the “Asian mission” began on July 8th by the United Nations special envoy for Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari.

Following the la test denouncements by dissidents it is becoming increasing clear, even in the UN headquarters, that all international calls for democratic progress in former Burma will fall on empty ears, as long as the military regime is supported by international powers such as Beijing and Delhi.  Gambari will travel to Asia for a week; the first stop on his journey China followed by India and Japan.

Beijing considers Myanmar its most important ally in on the continent: it finances its infrastructure projects, in order to profit from its energy resources, also coveted by India’s powerhouse, along with an infinite number of products and labour which has led to its control of the country’s Northern provinces.

The military junta has been under pressure from Asean, the UN and human rights organisations for years, who have repeatedly called for the release of the Noble Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the approval of a new constitution still under discussion.

From July 8th to 10th, the UN envoy met with the Chinese under secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dai Bingguo and the Minister for Foreign Affairs assistant, Cui Tiankai. But what has emerged from those meetings seems to be China’s refusal to cooperate.  While it appreciates the United Nations commitment for “stability and social harmony” in Myanmar, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office made clear that China does not regard the Naypyidaw regime as a “regional threat” underlining that the country’s internal problems “should be faced by the nation’s people”.

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Fresh charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, she now faces 15 years in prison
18/03/2021 10:33
Buddhist monks against the coup
17/03/2021 13:08
Yangon, raid on striking railway workers
10/03/2021 10:57
UN appreciates “constructive” meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar minister
26/07/2011
Ban Ki-moon calls on Burmese regime to guarantee credible elections
26/03/2010


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”