Burma is fast becoming a complete embarrasment of ASEAN with its latest trumped up charges against the democratically elected and rightful Prime Minister of Burma Ms Aung San Suu Kyi. The other countries around the world are already planning to take action but what about ASEAN and Singapore?
European foreign ministers were locked in discussion about new sanctions against Burma this afternoon as the country’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi went on trial in Rangoon for allowing an eccentric American to stay in her house.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said today that additional sanctions should be brought against Burma, as foreign ministers gathered in Brussels. But the proposal will provoke debate about the effectiveness of European and US sanctions against a country that is being eagerly courted by China and India.
ASEAN has completely remained mute over this issue concerning its perennial troublemaker, and the rest of the member nations just paid lip service and “condemned” one of their own. Pathetic Singapore couldn’t go beyond expressing dismay. Perhaps its worried about its position of the third largest trading partner of Burma? Perhaps also about the possible exodus of dirty Burmese funds slushing around in Singapore’s banks or the cancellation of weapons sales such as landmines and grenade launchers?
Foreign Minister George Yeo actually had an exchange over his Facebook status back then when Singapore honoured Burma’s Prime Minister Thein Sein. Here are some of the excerpts.
It is a divided country. I hope the elections next year will set the country on a new path. Despite all our concerns, Singapore and ASEAN have decided that we have to keep engaging the country and help it move forward. I understand your views completely.
I am well aware that the situation in Myanmar causes anguish for many of us. You know I spent a lot of time on this in the UN, ASEAN and elsewhere. The western embargo has achieved little because China and India keep their borders open. ASEAN has to as well. Don’t forget Myanmar has long borders with Thailand, China and India. We don’t have a trade embargo, never had in our history, unless there is a UN position. If we stop trading with Myanmar, nothing changes.
On arms sales, for obvious reasons I can’t be giving you details on FB. The issue has been debated over the years in Parliament and all MPs, including Opp MPs and NMPs, were free to ask questions. Please accept my answer in good faith.
15 Comments
May 23, 2009 at 11:23 am
[...] as usual – Hard Hitting in the Lion City: What Credibility? – Everyday’s Life in a Snapshot: pathetic ASEAN silence and pathetic Singapore’s dismay – Singabloodypore: Burma’s Prisons and Labour Camps – Silent Killing [...]
May 21, 2009 at 2:29 am
Peter – are you for real?
May 19, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Evidences suggest that the military junta in Burma is trying imitate China economic reforms but is uncomfortable about instability that might be cause by democracy movement. Aungsan Suukyi has become an obstacle to economic reform and being a Burman without the clear support from other state like Chin , Karen or Mon , her leadership is deem destablising to the Union of Myanmar . The West in their high perched belief that theirs is the best because they want to tell us we can never be good enough.
May 30, 2009 at 1:45 am
evidence suggests even more that the military junta recognises that releasing aung san would lead to their regime being toppled immediately, so they are taking steps to consolidate power at any cost. economic reforms? come off it. letting the military run the economy is the same as letting a kid play with fire uncontrolled. everyone will get burnt. they are as good as running the economy, just like i am as good with brain surgeries.
May 19, 2009 at 11:46 am
[...] Free Burma – Hard Hitting in the Lion City: What Credibility? – Everyday’s Life in a Snapshot: pathetic ASEAN silence and pathetic Singapore’s dismay [...]
May 19, 2009 at 9:19 am
I still don’t know what ASEAN is for ? I thought its just the meeting of the people in charge then they hold hands on the stage and take photos only ?
May 19, 2009 at 12:48 pm
The West in their high perched belief that theirs is the best because they want to tell us we can never be good enough. As many a natives found out too late, white men speak with fork tongue. Aungsan Suukyi and the organisers of the TianAnnMen pro democracy movement are but just pawns . of the imperialist.
China for all the good they have done for the Chinese are afraid to allow democracy because the West support of sessionist inside China. Their aim may not be democracy but to destabalise.
May 30, 2009 at 1:43 am
judging by your logic, the better way to stabilise would be to employ totalitarian rule? yes the west should not interfere with internal affairs of sovereign nations, but that’s not to say they shouldn’t stick up for what’s wrong. surely you will make noise if you see your neighbour abusing his child. you wouldn’t keep quiet and say that its his child, not yours so not up to you to criticise right?
May 30, 2009 at 1:45 am
no. they also got new anthems. then at the end of every meeting they will release some joint statement that doesn’t make sense, pat themselves for good work done, before returning home to continue suppressing their citizens.
May 19, 2009 at 7:41 am
Papaya gahmen should threaten to burn that orchid which was named after the General if he does not release that lady.
Threaten only hor dont need to really do it.
May 19, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Their aim may not be democracy but to destabalise so that they can be top dog in the world. The West has wittingly or unwittingly become an obstacle to democracy in China. Muslim countries fear the West pushing their conservative life style with their women, lesbians and gay rights without consideration to centuries long tradition that inflame their own muslim citizens.. Stop interfering As not once your interference has done any good for your self proclaimed good. The West should not dictate what is good
May 20, 2009 at 11:12 am
Peter – if you’re saying that the west should not dictate what is good, then what say the human race?
May 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Humans should just be seen and not be heard. the West should shut up for they talk the most.
May 30, 2009 at 1:39 am
don’t make sense. so why are u talking. lol.
May 30, 2009 at 1:41 am
and we should not hold dear to false values that are propagated to serve the interests of dictatorial leaders. such as confucian or asian values. while the west should not dictate what is good, citizens should make their decisions based on universal human rights. surely suppression of freedom of speech etc should be condemned? jailing of legitimate prime ministers elected democratically is right?