Britain, France need to put pressure on Myanmar
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By Nehginpao Kipgen
Myanmar President Thein Sein visited Britain and France last week at the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande. It is the first Myanmar's head of state visit to Britain in more than a quarter of century since late General Ne Win, who visited in 1986.
The visit is a follow-up of Sein’s visit to five other European countries ― Italy, Norway, Austria, Finland and Belgium ― from Feb. 25 to March 8. The president’s visit focuses on improving relations in terms of economic, education and social affairs.
The relations between the two European powers and Myanmar have significantly improved in the last couple of years, triggering the resumption of political and economic activities. Despite the rapprochement, more needs to be done to address the problems in Myanmar.
Both Britain and France were part of the European Union that imposed sanctions on Myanmar. They pursued an isolationist policy for several years since the aftermath of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and the nullification of the 1990 general elections. Along with the United States, the two countries were also vocal in an attempt to pass a resolution against Myanmar at the U.N. Security Council in January 2007.
However, gradual democratic reforms since the 2010 general elections, including the release of political prisoners, cessation of hostilities with most of ethnic armed groups, and the accommodation and participation of National League for Democracy (NLD) in national politics changed the dynamic of diplomatic relations.
Britain and Myanmar
In April 2012, just a week after Myanmar’s by-elections, David Cameron was the first high-profile Western leader to visit the country and became the first British Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in more than six decades. He was accompanied by economic and trade officials.
Cameron was also the first Western leader to have suggested the suspension of Western sanctions before entirely lifting them, which was supported by Aung San Suu Kyi whose NLD just won the by-elections overwhelmingly.
Cameron then said, “We must respond with caution, with care. We must always be skeptical and questioning, because we want to know these changes are irreversible.” The plan was to encourage further progress in democracy and human rights, by retaining the option to re-impose sanctions if condition warrants.
Subsequently, the European Union suspended its sanctions imposed on Myanmar for one year and lifted them in April this year, with the exception of arms embargo. Moreover, Britain has committed 185 million pounds for the next four years to fund health and education projects in Myanmar through non-governmental organizations.
Britain has also shown its intention to improve military cooperation with Myanmar. Last month, Chief of the Defense Staff of British Armed Forces, General Sir David Richards, visited Myanmar. It was the first visit by head of British armed forces in over 50 years. It was a milestone of relations between the two armed forces since 1988.
France and Myanmar
Though bilateral relations between France and Myanmar have not been as strong or significant as that of Britain, recent changes inside Myanmar have convinced Paris to embark on certain diplomatic initiatives.
In January 2012, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Juppe made a visit to Myanmar, which was the first high-ranking French official since 1988. Subsequently, the two countries have stepped up cultural and tourism cooperation in areas of preservation of cultural heritage, upgrading and preservation of museums, human resources development and granting of scholarship for culture ministry staff.
Later in September 2012, French Senator and Chairman of South Asia Committee, Gerard Midquel, visited Myanmar and disused possible ways of cooperation between the two national parliaments, and in regional governance and administration.
France’s Total Company invests in Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise and is getting engaged in regional development. France also played important role in lifting European sanctions against Myanmar.
Beyond Economic Cooperation
The cooperation between Britain and France with Myanmar has shown improvement primarily on trade and investment initiatives. For example, Britain has committed 185 million pounds for the next four years to fund health and education projects in Myanmar through non-governmental organizations.
But the situation inside Myanmar demands that the European powers still need to pay attention to other areas as well.
Both Britain and France should use their economic and political resources to influence the Myanmar government to speed up the process of resolving the country’s ethnic minority problems, and the prevailing religious tension.
The government must address minority problems by recognizing the necessity of establishing a Union government either through consociational democracy or federalism. Since there are overlapping populations across different geographical regions, proportional representation also needs to be looked at as a solution to the country’s political problem.
The European powers must ensure that the Myanmar government practices equality of law to all its citizens, and adhere to equal treatment of all religious groups. The ongoing democratic reforms are reversible if the Myanmar government does not address these pressing issues.
Britain and France must also put pressure on the Myanmar leadership to release the remaining over 100 political prisoners, and amend the undemocratic elements in the 2008 constitution before the 2015 general elections.
While extending all the necessary assistance to rebuild Myanmar, London and Paris must continue to put pressure for further democratic reforms. Myanmar relations with the international community, including Britain and France, can only be reliable when domestic politics and polity are stable.
Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the U.S.-based Kuki International Forum. His research focuses on the politics of South and Southeast Asia, with a concentration on Burma/Myanmar.