Western countries including the US imposed sanctions on Myanmar and tried to isolate the country. But however hard they tried, Myanmar was never freed from the grip of dictatorship for over twenty years. US President Obama used a different approach to Myanmar.
A few years ago, Myanmar started to change toward democracy. A civilian government has come to power after the controversial 2010 election. Since then Myanmar has experienced changes in politics and the US lifted sanctions not long ago. Although Myanmar is still far from reaching the ultimate goal, reforms there can be regarded as a political achievement for the Obama administration during its first term.
Since President Obama has been re-elected as president, it can be expected that he will continue what he started. It will be interesting to see if there are going to be any changes. Right now, the president is planning to visit Myanmar as a part of his Asean trip. He will become the first US president to visit the once-authoritarian country in more than half a century.
However, the question of why is he coming to Myanmar remains. The Obama administration is trying to set out a good relationship with Myanmar, which has recently moved away from its longtime patron China. At the same time, the Thein Sein government is rebuilding the country's reputation in the international community, with the help of the United States. The second term of President Obama can further cement the relationship.
During his visit, it is hoped that President Obama will emphasise the democratic reforms in the country. It has to be made clear that the 2015 election must be transparent and fair. The need to revise the constitution should not be neglected. He also needs to express concern about ethnic strife in Rakhine State. Moreover, revising the constitution is necessary to ensure long-lasting peace with the different ethnic militias. In fact, the constitution itself is a barrier to democratic and federal ideals.
During his visit to the US, President Thein Sein said that Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi can possibly become president of the Union of Myanmar, but electing the opposition leader as president requires revising the constitution and depends on other parliamentarians.
How the US views Myanmar is important. In fact, the US wants to counter-check the influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region. During his Asean tour, President Obama will become the first president to visit Cambodia, which is ruled by a semi-dictator. It seems that the Obama administration is willing to work with ruling regimes and reward them for reforms. Forgetting past sins is required for the process. Recognising an unpopular regime, however, is not a democratic solution.
What are the objectives for Myanmar? If the administration is interested only in balancing China's power and fails to promote the democratic process, it will not be able to maintain a good image with the Myanmar public. Moreover, with the prospect of disputes, US companies would be taking a risk by investing in Myanmar.
President Obama's visit to Myanmar is a good omen for Myanmar's move toward democracy. However, if the intention is only to control China's power, it will not be welcomed. Backing an authoritarian regime to check a rival (like establishing surrogate states during the Cold War) is not acceptable.
If President Obama is coming to help quicken democratisation, it will be appreciated. However, it is still too early to say if the president is coming to praise what has been achieved so far by the Thein Sein government.
The norms for an independent media, which can guarantee democracy, have not been defined yet. The Act of Publication (1962) still haunts journalists. Newspapers and radio and television channels are still controlled by the government and its cronies. Independent journalists still have a difficult time. The hopes of the ethnic minorities, the need for peace and equality, and the poverty of the people remain just as they were before the democratic reforms. The military and ruling party voice amendments to the 2008 constitution, which will allow a return to the status quo.
Is President Obama planning this historic visit to Myanmar just to praise democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and the achievements of the current government?
What will be done about forming an independent media, ensuring equality and peace for the ethnic minorities, and promising a democratic government after the 2015 election?
There are the questions that need to be asked.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/16/obama-in-myanmar-questions-that-need-answers/
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