Political dialogue a must in Burma: US official

by Usa Pichai
Thursday, 05 November 2009 22:12

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Dialogue between the Burmese military regime, opposition parties and ethnic leaders was the need of the hour for political reforms in Burma, Scot Marciel, US Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Bureau said in the wake of his visit to Burma in a forum in Bangkok.

This was the highest-level visit by US officials in more than a decade.

“We certainly hope that there will be a dialogue. I don’t frankly see how there can be a credible election that can bring legitimacy without inclusive participation. I don’t see how that can happen without dialogue,” Marciel said.

“If there is to be a credible election that fundamentally changes the dynamics in the country, I think there needs to be dialogue and there needs to be participation," he added.

The US official said that inclusive dialogue among related parties including the government, the opposition and minorities will be the first step for national reconciliation in Burma.

Regarding North Korea’s ties with the Burmese junta, the official said there have been reports of cooperation and close relations between the two countries including in the military sector. There is a possibility of nuclear cooperation too, he added.

“International community’s want to work with the Burmese authorities to find out what the facts are. There is a need for information sharing and dialogue.” He added that the international community should impress the Burmese junta to realize the importance of honouring the UN Security Council Resolution 1874.

Marciel and Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State met Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein, senior government officials, opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and some representatives from ethnic minority groups during the two-day trip to Naypyidaw and Rangoon on November 3 and 4.

On the possibility of bilateral relations between Burma and US, Marciel said, "We are willing to move ahead in terms of bilateral relations, but we are only going to do that if there is real progress."

The visit was an exploratory mission and the main purpose was to explain the US policy review to the key parties there and hear their views, Marciel added.

In addition, the visit was to mark a new policy of engagement with Burma, which has been reviewed after the previous sanctions approach did not achieve the desired results.

US officials also urged the junta to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to have regular access and engagement with her National League for Democracy (NLD) colleagues.

They also highlighted concerns about the wide range of human rights issues, including political prisoners and treatment of minority groups.

Marciel added that President Obama will appoint a special envoy to Burma. Obama meets leaders of Southeast Asian nations next week, including Burma, at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Singapore.