The Burma quandary
by Daniel Pedersen on Jul.03, 2009, under Burma reportage, Frontline Reports
Mae Sot, ThailandJuly 2, 2009
Both Thailand and its Association of South East Asian Nations partners must have sighed in frustration when news broke of the latest exodus of innocent civilians from Burma.
Both are under more pressure as a result of Burma’s violent push to its much-maligned 2010 show elections.
ASEAN must deal with new criticisms of its stance on Burma, a maverick member-state and a significant trading partner to some countries within the bloc.
For years accusations of being an irrelevant talkfest have clouded ASEAN’s reputation.
Yet it is easy for the West to call on ASEAN to impose economic sanctions targeting Burma, but far more difficult to impose them upon a hostile neighbour.
Thailand, as the current ASEAN chairman, has been dealt a double blow from this latest round of attacks.
It must show leadership at ASEAN level and it must cope administratively with thousands more people displaced from their home country.
For the better part of the past 50 years Thailand has had refugees huddled on at least one of its international borders.
In contrast precious few people have had reason to flee Thailand not of their own making.
ENDS
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"Secret Genocide is a scholarly book on the plight of the Karen of Burma. Author Daniel Pedersen writes about the secret genocide of the Karen people at the hands of the Burmese junta, who use murder, rape, forced labour and torture to quell their enemies. Decades after the Karen took up arms against Rangoon; there is no telling when - or if - their struggle for a secure homeland will finally be accomplished"
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