The Washington Post on "Burma’s Bullies"
by Danny Fisher
In editorial this past weekend, the Washington Post offered wisdom for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has promised to review the U.S.’s policy toward Burma. Here’s the money quote:
- It may be that the U.S. review can lead to smarter and more targeted sanctions, with better coordination among allies and neighbors. Certainly, we hope that Ms. Clinton will make clear to Burma’s government that the United States could never ease sanctions without first conducting full and free consultations with Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s rightful ruler. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party overwhelmingly won an election in 1990, but the junta ignored the results and has kept her isolated and under house arrest for most of the time since. Her release, and that of thousands of other political prisoners — and their families — remains essential.
So long as Burma can play to the interests of its neighbors — namely, China, India, Bangladesh and Thailand — the actions of the United States will be of little consequence, no matter how we tinker with our sanctions.