The release of more than 200 political prisoners on January 13 and the subsequent decision by Washington to announce its readiness to send an ambassador to Burma are the latest steps taken by both governments to normalize relations.
В 1989, after the Burmese military’s brutal suppression of protests for democracy, the US ambassador dismissed the country as having “very little strategic interest.” For the next two decades, the US unleashed fierce criticism on Burma’s leaders, imposing sanctions. An unintended consequence was to drive the regime closer to China and North Korea. The ties brought construction of Chinese oil and gas pipelines to the Bay of Bengal and barter trade of rice for North Korean missile technology. Now the US and Burma are taking steps to normalize relations.
In meetings with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Burmese officials stressed the value of their close ties with China, with whom the country shares a border more than 2000 kilometers in length, but are apparently ready to end ties with North Korea, erratic and in transition. Normalized relations with the US could allow Burma to secure access to international financial institutions. By shifting the regional balance and diversifying Burma’s options, the US could disrupt China’s plans to dominate the region. – YaleGlobal
Since the Burmese military opened fire on pro-democracy demonstrators, killing thousands, в 1988 – and ignored the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy in the 1990 general election – the United States has been Burma’s fiercest critic, in more recent years imposing trade and financial sanctions on the country’s military regime and its business cronies. In early December, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Burma – the first by a high-ranking US official in half a century.
She praised what she called “democratic reforms” initiated by its new government led by Thein Sein, a retired general now the country’s president. Meeting with pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, Clinton said it was encouraging to see Burma on the road to democracy. But as the dust settles, it’s become increasingly obvious that the absence of democracy and respect for human rights is not the only US concern in Burma.
A new, streamlined US military strategy now points to Asia, and much has changed since March 1989. Only months after the blood-drenched uprising for democracy, Burton Levin, then US ambassador, told the Washington Post :
“Since there are no US bases and very little strategic interest, Burma is one place where the United States has the luxury of living up to its principles.”
The following year, Burton left Burma and was not replaced. В то же время, Burma developed a close political, economic and military partnership with China – seen by many analysts as a result of the West’s isolation of the regime. Burma’s immediate neighbors, especially India, view China’s planned construction of gas and oil pipelines to the Indian Ocean – and a possible military umbrella to protect that lifeline – with concern. Perhaps even more alarming is the presence of North Korean tunneling and missile experts in the country.
Building North Korean-aided missiles in Burma would complicate regional strategic balance. A bsence of democracy and respect for human rights is not the only US concern in Burma. Так, it’s high time for the US to change the policy and send a new ambassador. What else the United States has promised Burma in exchange for normalizing relations is a matter of conjecture, but a partial lifting of sanctions and granting Burma access to international monetary institutions have been mentioned.
До сих пор, Burma appears willing to play ball with Washington. This first became evident on September 30, when President Thein Sein announced that he had decided to suspend the China-backed US$3.6 billion joint-venture Myitsone dam project in Kachin State. The Chinese threatened to sue the Burmese government for breach of contract, but in the end took a wait-and-see attitude. China perhaps does not want to jeopardize its investment in strategically important oil and gas pipeline in a pique over the cancelled dam.
Over the past few years, widespread dissatisfaction within the Burmese military over the country’s heavy dependence on China has also become evident. It’s not forgotten that China during the 1960s and 1970s gave massive support to the insurgent Communist Party of Burma. More recently, illegal immigration coupled with China’s domination of local commerce and rising ownership of land stoked Burmese nationalist sentiments, risking destabilizing splits inside the military, still by far the country’s most powerful institution.
Significantly, the first item brought up by Thein Sein during his meeting with Clinton was the importance of Myanmar’s relationship with China. She expressed support for good relations with Burma if “reform efforts maintain momentum.” In mid-January,
Клинтон заявила, что США «будут охватывать" Бирма, если "правительство освобождает всех остальных политических заключенных, заканчивается насилия в отношении меньшинств - и сокращение военных связей с Северной Кореей ".
Burma’s relations with North Korea have troubled Washington for years. Nearly every month since the early 2000s, North Korean ships have docked in Burmese ports, carrying “cement” or “general cargo” according to shipping records.
Остальное здесь:
Бирма Готовы играть в мяч с США
