PHUKET, Thailand, July 23 — The United States said today it was pleased by Myanmar’s willingness to carry out UN sanctions on North Korea but said better ties hinged on its treatment of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the comments at an Asia-Pacific security forum where she harshly criticised both North Korea and Myanmar but held out the possibility of better US ties if they changed their policies.
The United States wants North Korea to abandon its nuclear programmes and Myanmar’s military-led government to free Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and move toward democracy.
Despite saying this week she was worried about possible nuclear transfers from North Korea to Myanmar, Clinton praised the Myanmar junta for moving to enforce a UN Security Council resolution against Pyongyang after its May 25 nuclear test.
“We are gratified by Burma’s willingness to enforce the Security Council resolution to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions,” Clinton said in remarks at the ASEAN Regional Forum security gathering on the Thai resort island of Phuket.
“This is an important step in playing a more constructive role in regional affairs.”
UN Security Council Resolution 1874 bans all North Korean arms exports, authorises member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo and requires them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.
Talk of Myanmar-North Korea military ties was fuelled after a North Korean ship, tracked by the United States in June and July on suspicion of carrying banned arms, appeared headed toward Myanmar before turning around.
Clinton said the United States was determined to prevent any military cooperation between the two nations in the future.
MUCH HINGES ON SUU KYI
Myanmar has signed up to international conventions and treaties but has consistently failed to honour pledges to improve its human rights record or carry out democratic reforms.
Clinton said a better relationship with the United States was partly dependent on the fate of Suu Kyi and domestic political conditions inside Myanmar.
“We’ve been clear about the other essential steps: respect the rights of their people, release Aung San Suu Kyi, and hold open and credible elections next year,” she said.
Clinton said if Suu Kyi were released “that would open up opportunities at least for my country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma”.
Suu Kyi is on trial for breaching the terms of her house arrest and is charged under legislation her lawyers say is obsolete. Final arguments in the trial are due tomorrow.
US officials met Myanmar officials yesterday, a senior US official said, telling them “the outcome of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi would affect our willingness and ability to take positive steps in our bilateral relationship”.
Another US official said the Myanmar officials gave no specific response to the issues they raised during the meeting but promised to convey their message to the junta.
On May 15, US President Barack Obama extended for one year a ban on US investment in Myanmar first imposed in 1997 because of the authorities’ repression of the opposition.
Rights groups say there are more than 2,000 political prisoners in Myanmar. The regime, which has ruled for almost 50 years, maintains the detentions are not political.
“They are, indeed, the ones who are serving their terms in accordance with the law for their harming stability and peace of the State, and committing other crimes,” said an English-language commentary in three state-controlled newspapers today.
“Daw Suu Kyi, like them, is not a political prisoner, but the person who is on trial for breaching an existing law.” – Reuters
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