APSN | Shift away from sanctions gathers steam

Home > South-East Asia >> Burma

Shift away from sanctions gathers steam

Irrawaddy - January 19, 2012

Burma: An end to civil war? - Irrawaddy. January 19, 2012
Myanmar's Suu Kyi launches bid for parliament - Agence France Presse. January 18, 2012
Burma's remaining jailed dissidents - Irrawaddy. January 17, 2012
Clinton keeps the pressure on Burma - Associated Press. January 16, 2012
Praise for Myanmar release of political prisoners - Associated Press. January 14, 2012

Saw Yan Naing – Burma's military-backed civilian government could be rewarded as early as next month for its release last week of hundreds of political prisoners, as the European Union reveals that it is planning to review its sanctions on the country ahead of by-elections on April 1.

"Some countries want to give a sign of encouragement before the April elections," according to an unnamed EU diplomatic quoted by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.

The move, which also follows a historic ceasefire agreement signed by the government and the Karen National Union last Thursday, could begin with initial steps in February, the source said.

Michael Mann, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, also indicated that changes are in the works. "In the light of developments in the country, we have launched a general review of our policies," Mann told AFP.

Even as Britain and France's foreign ministers agreed on Tuesday to "remain vigilant" following their respective visits to Burma earlier this month, European countries have clearly indicated that they are more interested than ever in cooperating with Naypyidaw.

After concluding his trip to Burma on Monday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe announced that his country will triple its aid to Burmese development projects to around 3 million euros (US $3.85 million) per year, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

Meanwhile, Denmark's Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach told The Irrawaddy last week that his country will double its development assistance to Burma to 100 million Danish kroner ($17 million) in 2012.

The EU is not the only long-time critic of Burma's rulers to soften its stance on sanctions. Australia has already reduced the number of Burmese figures to whom it will apply financial and travel sanctions, in recognition of recent reforms.

The Philippines, a fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member that has often spoken out against Burma's military rulers in the past, has also urged the West to reward the Burmese government by ending sanctions.

On Jan. 10, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that his country, as current chair of Asean, will work toward the lifting of Western sanctions against Burma.