It’s time for round two on the Security Council 

May Ng
March 20, 2006
Mizzima News 
Original Source: http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima/archives/news-in-2006/new-in-March/20-March-2006-36.htm

  
When the United Nations Security Council finally held an informal briefing on the situation in Burma in December, delegates urged Burmese authorities to resume dialogue with representatives from all the country’s ethnic and political groups.

On February 12, the National League for Democracy invited the junta to take the first steps toward national reconciliation. 

But little has changed in Rangoon since the NLD were denied their election victory in 1990 to prompt the military to engage with the opposition in a meaningful way. The constitution being drafted through the sham National Convention will also consolidate military rule.

The constitution proposed by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma contains explicit provisions for the protection of ethnic minority rights. But, the lack of a shared vision or common goal among ethnic groups, along with the intransigence of the military, might result in the lack of meaningful political representation for these groups. 

According to most observers, unless there is a major step toward political dialogue between the military, pro-democracy forces and ethnic groups, the future holds few prospects for peace in Burma. 

Ethnic organisations will continue to be sensitive about their exclusion from Burma’s political spheres, so it is important for everyone to recognise their legitimacy and identities. Burma analysts tend to agree that unless they come up with a power-sharing compromise, political conflicts in Burma will continue. 

Authoritarian regimes tend to promote nationalism in attempts to justify their absolute power and they claim their political opponents are enemies of the state. The Tatmadaw is determined to remain strong believing any weakness within the military will create opportunities for ethnic rebellion and secession. 

With minor exceptions, there is little evidence to suggest Burma’s minorities are trying to break away from the state and we have reached a point where we need international help if we are to achieve peace in the country. 

Burma’s elites will continue to hold on to their privileges and power, while discontented minorities will keep on fighting for better political representation and autonomy. This does not mean peace is not possible and there is good reason to remain hopeful. 

But because the military is unwilling to concede any of their power, ASEAN and the UN need to become more involved. 

The military is struggling under the burden of an over-extended army and failing economy and the time is right for international diplomatic intervention. 

In 2001, UN human rights Rapporteur Pinheiro asked ASEAN and the UN to help promote an all inclusive, accountable, transparent and democratic transition in Burma, which would preserve and consolidate peace, national reconciliation and national unity. 

As reported by Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu, concerns for sovereignty, international law, or limits placed by the UN charter are no longer excuses for not taking steps to stamp out the security threat posed by Burma’s military. 

It is clear that unless there is a willingness to prevent further political and economic decline in Burma now, by placing Burma on the Security Council’s formal agenda, the moral authority and legitimacy of global leaders will be tarnished.