Only recently we have seen our PM congratulating the Myammar leaders on several occasions. Can’t our PM be more discreet in view of the ruthless reputation of the self-elected Junta leaders? Or does it take birds of the same feather to have a common understanding to protect each other’s interests.

At least Arroyo had asked for Myammar Junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi without further detention.
What has our PM done except to hide behind the UN envoy.

Our PM’s international image really sucks.

I’m glad you noted that S’pore was the one that invited Gambari to brief EAS (East Asia Summit, which groups Asean, China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand). And it was Malaysia and Indonesia (Thailand too?) that objected to his briefing.

I don’t think, however, that M’sia and Indon objected because they thought Gambari’s efforts won’t work. In fact, he has made more progress than any time in recent history.

I think M’sia and Indon just don’t like the idea of Gambari briefing the ang mohs (i.e., Aus and NZ) and giving them more ammunition to use on ASEAN. It’s a territorial thing. They (esp M’sia) never wanted them in EAS to begin with. Singapore was the one that pushed so hard for them to be admitted to EAS (together with India).

Frankly beyond that, I can’t understand why they would have objections. It just baffles me. It makes Asean look bad. I mean, we invited the guy to brief us, then we tell him last minute the briefing is off.

watch the latest clips.

Nothing less of expulsion from this group is seen as a good start and severance of all economic ties for the actions against unarmed citizens. It only tells you many of the members themselves seem motivated by money to keep them in the party.

Wonder what our own govt will do if there is an issue contentious enough for its citizens to have even a peaceful march of sorts. So far I am not impressed.

Future looks bleak for human rights around these waters.

Just a clarification, it’s the ASEAN Charter, with a two line reference to human rights. If only there were a human rights charter =)

Well I think the point I was trying to make is we need to try to start a fire closest to where the heat will be felt. For Burma, that means Asean. Asean’s last ‘revulsion’ statement was lauded by the international community as a landmark statement, and we can’t afford to backslide on that kind of language. Several observers have noted that it was probably this statement that prevented the junta from killing more activists, and gave a strong kickstart to the Gambari mission.

Unfortunately, that kickstart has lost most of its force. I think its time to recharge.

That having been said, I don’t have a prescription to the Burma problem. But stronger diplomatic language and a unified front shoud be the least we can work towards for now.