Impact of Reforms:
1. Media
freedom in Burma still limited
Democratic Voice of Burma
By HANNA HINDSTROM
April 6, 2012
“Censorship is still engrained in Burma’s
judicial system and the military retains overall control of the media,
according to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).”
2.
New openness may take heavy toll on environment of Myanmar, one of Asia’s
least spoiled places
Associated Press
May 7, 2012
“Myanmar
has avoided the rapid, often rampant development seen in Thailand and other
parts of Asia because of decades of isolation brought on by harsh military
rule. But as foreign investors begin pouring in, activists in what was once
known as Burma say endemic corruption, virtually nonexistent environmental laws
and a long-repressed civil society make it “ripe for environmental rape.”
“The
rush is already on. Airplanes bound for Yangon, the nation’s largest city, are
booked up with businessmen looking for deals, along with throngs of tourists.
Singapore dispatched a delegation with 74 company representatives in March
while the Malaysians sent a high-level investment mission focused on property
development, tourism, rubber and oil palm plantations.”
Sanctions:
1. Sanctions and a
‘civilian’ government
Democratic Voice of Burma
By Zaw Nay Aung
April 13, 2012
“The NLD won the elections again this year,
but they will be forced to work in a parliament that has 25 percent of its
seats in the hands of the military.”
“Lifting too many sanctions too
early would leave western countries will little leverage to continue to push
the Burmese government to make further concessions and release the country’s
remaining political prisoners.”
Kaladan News
May 8, 2012
“Chittagong, Bangladesh: Hundreds of
Rohingyas, demanding refugee status, have set up a protest camp at the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) , in Vasant Vihar, South Delhi.
The protestors, a Muslim ethnic minority persecuted in Burma, have been camped
by the rear compound wall of the office, since April 9.
The Rohingyas in India are being
discriminated against because of their religion, said Mamoon Rafique, a
protestor at the camp.”
3. Burma-China Pipelines Bring
Benefits, Complaints
Daniel
Schearf
May 4, 2012
“Senior monk U Sein Di Tha says local farmers
are too afraid to speak out.
"The government will take their land and
continue pipeline construction whether they agree to it or not," he said.
"That is why they try to be content with the compensation. Nobody wants to
give up their land."
To win over local critics, China National Petroleum Corporation is donating
several million dollars to build new health clinics, wells and schools.
In Hman Pin Village, a new school for 300 students was welcomed by Hla Myint,
the village head.”
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Burma-China-Pipelines-Bring-Benefits-Complaints-150191115.html
4. E.U.
suspends most Burma sanctions
Washington Post
Justyna Pawlak and Sebastian Moffet
April 23, 2012
"One E.U. diplomat said that suspending
the sanctions did not imply that Burma was a fully democratic country, and that
it was up to the people there to work out problems like the oath.
The suspension, which does not apply to a
separate arms embargo, is likely to go into effect this week. It will allow
European companies to invest in Burma, which has significant natural resources
and borders economic giants China and India."
Election Analysis & Reactions (post-event)
Mizzima
May 3, 2012
“The NLD received 2.686 million, or about 65.6
percent, of the 4.092 million eligible votes cast, while the USDP received
1.123 million, or 27.5 percent. That’s a huge gap.”
“Aung San Suu Kyi and her
colleagues are likely to find quite a lot of common ground, particularly on
their short-term priorities, such as improving provision of health and
education services. The key will be to first pursue those goals that more
closely align with the government’s: For example, participating in peace
negotiations rather than immediately pushing for amendments to the constitution
to get the military out of parliament.”
“If there is one thing the
election showed, it is that politics remains dangerously personalized; too much
is reliant on the understanding between President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu
Kyi, as well as Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann."
2. US Encouraged About Burma
Reforms
State Department
Scott Stearns
“Washington has lifted its ban on
the export of U.S. financial services and investment, and is preparing to
nominate an ambassador to Rangoon, along with a full U.S. Agency for
International Development mission and a normal country program for the United
Nations Development Program.”
3. Suu Kyi embraces new role
and compromise
AFP
May 4, 2012
“For over two decades pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi defied Burma’s army rulers with steely resolve, but analysts
say she has now embraced compromise, even if that means putting principles
aside. The Nobel laureate was sworn in Wednesday as a member of parliament, a
week after initially refusing to take the oath of office over the wording of
the army-drafted constitution.”
“But Egreteau says there are
indications of a divide within the NLD between hardliners reluctant to work
with the military, and a more pragmatic group that Suu Kyi is increasingly
inclined to join.”
4. Burma's Suu Kyi Takes
Office With Political Plans Still Unclear
Voice of America
Daniel Schearf
May 2, 2012
“ ‘We would like our parliament
to be in line with genuine democratic values," she said. "It is not
because we want to remove anybody as such. We just want to make the kind
of improvements that remain - a national assembly, a truly democratic one.’ “
“Analysts say the opposition has
a lot to learn about politics. Aside from amending the constitution, the NLD
has only vague platforms of supporting rule of law, peace with ethnic rebels,
and development. Vahu Development
Institute analyst Aung Thu Nyein says the NLD is still a party of activists, in
need of help with political strategy.
‘But one of the strong points for
the NLD is they got popular support," said Aung Thu Nyein. "It is not
that difficult [for] the NLD to organize a kind of consultative section - maybe
retired bureaucrats or the other economists, academics and the other
strategists.’ ”
5. Myanmar
begins new era as Suu Kyi is sworn into parliament, takes office for first time
Washington Post
Associated
Press
May 1, 2012
“But some analysts see her entry
into the legislative branch as a gamble which will achieve little beyond
legitimizing a regime that needs her support to end years of isolation from the
West and get lingering sanctions lifted.”
“But she will have an official
voice in government for the first time, and the chance — however faint — to
challenge and influence public policy from within.
Her National League for Democracy
party’s legislative debut comes 24 years after it was prevented from taking
power after a landslide electoral victory in 1990. Suu Kyi was under house
arrest at the time, and the army annulled the poll result, staying in power
until last year.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/myanmar-set-to-begin-new-political-era-as-suu-kyi-poised-to-be-sworn-in-to-parliament/2012/05/01/gIQAxGEDvT_story.html
Economic Future:
1. IMF consultation report
highlights Burma’s weaknesses
Mizzima
May 8, 2012
“The [IMF] report said: “Myanmar
could become the next economic frontier in Asia if, with appropriate reforms,
it can turn its rich natural resources, young labor force, and proximity to
some of the most dynamic economies, to its advantage. Delivering on these
expectations is already under way.”
“It cited a number of “key obstacles” that
must be put in line with international standards, such as the
deposit-to-capital ratio, onerous collateral requirements, administratively set
interest rates, and segmented banking activities.
These controls and the exchange restrictions
lead to a large unregulated ‘shadow financial system.’ ”
2. With reforms, Burma eyes
economic boom
AFP
May 8, 2012
“In its first-ever “Article IV”
review of the economy, the IMF praised the initial moves to free up its
currency in recent months and encouraged the government, politically isolated
for a quarter-century, to stick to the path of reform.”
“But the Fund cautioned the
government, now starting to enjoy a gush of foreign investment as it opens up,
to take each step carefully with a focus on maintaining economic stability.”
“The economy grew an estimated
5.5 percent last year and will pick up pace to about 6.0 percent in the current
year, with inflation rising to 5.8 percent on average.”
*Disclaimer: I refrain from
editorializing because the reporters referenced above have the qualifications
to cover the events fairly and objectively.
My selection is based on the POV of an American pro-democracy supporter.
