(Thein Sein's remarks in Bali that the army could wipe out the KIA in a day if it chose to do so was a particularly chilling reminder of the mindset that still prevails in Naypyidaw.)
In an article titled “America's Pacific Century,” published by the journal Foreign Policy this month, Clinton reiterated that the US still considers the issue of human rights non-negotiable. In Burma, she said, “we are determined to seek accountability for human rights violations. … We have underscored to the government that it must release political prisoners, advance political freedoms and human rights, and break from the policies of the past.”
These words should serve to put the former generals who rule in Naypyidaw on notice that “regular relations” with Washington (as called for by Shwe Mann, the speaker of the lower house of Parliament, in a recent interview) will not be forthcoming anytime soon if reforms stall.
More than this, however, they are precisely what the people of Burma want to hear, and hope their leaders get an earful of when Clinton finally meets them face to face.
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