Garbled words; Naive Expectations

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COMMENTARY
Garbled words; Naive Expectations

By KYAW ZWA MOE

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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The New York Times, in its Wednesday editorial, wrote: “We would like to hear her views directly,” referring to Webb’s statement that she “is not opposed to lifting some sanctions.”

Thus, Suu Kyi’s clarification is important for international policy makers, including the Obama Administration, in order for it to shape its policy on the reclusive regime.
So what’s the bottom line on this sorry episode? You can be happy that Yettaw, an ill man, is not in Insein Prison, but mourn the day the eccentric American decided to swim to Suu Kyi’s rescue, offering the junta a golden opportunity to extend her house arrest.

On Webb’s “breakthrough,” there’s no such thing. The future will be more of the same: a manipulative junta set in its ways, determined to form a military-dominated parliament next year, determined to ignore the calls of the international community.

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COMMENTS (6)

Moe Aung Wrote:

29/08/2009

pLan B,

'DASSK's intransigence..whining about tighter restriction on DASSK'

Indulging in a bit of transference, are we? So it's ASSK who is guilty of intransigence, not your ever flexible generals, and it's whining when it comes to complaining about their actions because it's 'SOS (same old stuff)'. Nail your colors on the mast, why don't you?

pLan B Wrote:

27/08/2009

Ko Kyaw Zwa Moe should read Webb's interview in its entirety before resorting to paraphrasing to salvage DASSK's intransigence.

It's available here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/opinion/26webb.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all

Better yet, he should print the entire comment of DASSK so that we will know exactly what she meant when she said
"that as she was not the one who imposed sanctions against the Burmese regime, she is not in a position to lift those sanctions.”

Otherwise is Nyan Win misquoting DASSK or, worse, lying?

Does DASSK even know what Nyan Win said on her behalf given the fact that Nyan WIn is known to be a poor legal counsel, as pointed out by Derek Tonkin? (http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16568)

Now he is whining about tighter restriction on DASSK.

Moe Aung Wrote:

26/08/2009

K,

We know Webb represents US business interests, hence his stance. You've painted here a very plausible picture, since the West is used to seeking opportunities out of crises, and the current crisis they find themselves in is big enough for desperate measures. It would be difficult however to sweep ASSK and all those political prisoners under the carpet.

China's role as the bogeyman is somewhat overplayed particularly by those who emulate the US, even when the junta itself has shown us it's pretty good at handling China and looking after itself.

K Wrote:

20/08/2009

It appears that the US is ready to cut out the middleman and deal directly with the generals.

The US economy is in a dire state. It needs new markets to sell goods, cheaper labor to produce stuff, and cheap energy resources.

And, Burma has it all; 50 million+ consumers artificially kept in sub-standard living conditions; among the lowest wages in the world; rich natural resources (natural gas, and all).

I think, it all comes down to economics. The US needs money and needs it real fast (especially for new initiatives, such as $700 Billion stimulus spending and expensive health care overhaul).

Before long, Yangon streets will be flooded with Ford/ GM cars, HP/ Dell computers, Motorola/ Apple phones, and McDonalds/ BGKings/ KFCs.

tocharian Wrote:

20/08/2009

Webb is trying to prevent Burma from becoming a Chinese colony and he wants US business investment in Burma. Yettaw is just a red herring caught in Inya Lake.

Okkar Wrote:

19/08/2009

Perhaps it is time for opposition groups to realise that the international community no longer entertain their sob stories anymore.

The US interest in Southeast Asia is more important for Americans than keeping a bunch of loud-mouthed, disunited and disgruntled oppostion groups.