Nicholas Salmons
10/23/09
On Wednesday of this week, Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. His testimony covered a review conducted by the current Administration of U.S. policy regarding the state of Burma, as well as some future methods for promoting democracy and human rights in the region. The primary means for achieving the long-term goals focus on "direct dialogue" with the Burmese government, along with continuing and possibly intensifying currently present sanctions, if the Burmese government does not pursue "meaningful progress on our (i.e., U.S.) concerns." Some have criticized the sanctions, but Campbell stated that, "Burma had an unfriendly business environment well before the imposition of sanctions by the United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada, and others." His hopes are that through "supplementing" the sanctions with direct dialogue, real communication - including neighboring states - can occur, thus enabling real progress.
Campbell's points seem to make a lot of sense with regards to opening communication. I find it odd that that step is just now happening, though I don't know much about the history of U.S.-Burmese relations. I can't help but wonder though at the phrasing of "our concerns." Campbell said that for the first time in a while, "the Burmese leadership has shown an active interest in engaging with the United States," but that engagement with Burma has taken place only because it would be beneficial for U.S. interests. This kind of makes his statement that U.S. commitment to the people of Burma is "unwavering" a bit cheap. Still, I don't know much about it, and I do think it's good that people are talking.
http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2009/10/130769.htm
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