Last week's expulsion from Rangoon of a Swiss organisation that specialises in conflict resolution reinforced an already obvious conclusion: the ruling military generals in Burma have no intention of moving towards a democratic society. It also shows the fear in which they regard international organisations in general.
The Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) has been highly recognised for its work in trying to bring about a dialogue between the regime and pro-democracy elements. The organisation was instrumental in bringing the Indonesian government and Acehnese rebels together to begin negotiations. A peace agreement was signed last August, ending 25 years of ethnic conflict.
Thailand's former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, who was involved in the negotiations, recently said that "CHD's approach helped create the right conditions for the subsequent peace talks. It offered itself as a non-threatening player from the beginning and then worked on preparing the psychological conditions for peace to be acceptable as a viable option."
In recent times Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has been exhibiting a pronounced xenophobia which most observers attribute to paranoia.
Severe travel restrictions have been placed on members of international organisations, even those working in the health field. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis was forced to abandon its efforts in Burma.This is a prime example of the complete lack of consideration the SPDC exhibits for the welfare of the people.
Perhaps the Burmese generals try to keep the rest of world out of Burma because they know that total isolation is their best hope of holding onto power. By the same token, the most effective means of ushering in a free society in Burma is for the international community to speak up.
Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) member states have at last become more vocal. Indonesia is taking the lead in pushing the Burmese leadership to take concrete steps toward democratisation. The Malaysian and Singaporean governments are also increasing their engagement on the Burma issue.
Malaysia's foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that a planned trip to Burma this month, to monitor the progress of democracy, has again been stalled by the junta. Originally, he was to have made the trip in January.
Outside of Asia, the United States and the European Union are stepping up their efforts to promote change in Burma. The US is leading a move to place the Burmese issue on the UN Security Council's agenda.
At the Kuala Lumpur Asean summit in December last year, after a long and increasingly embarrassing silence on Burma, Prime Minister Thaksin criticised the generals for not telling Thailand and Asean that the new capital would be moved from Rangoon to Pyinmana. He even suggested that Thailand should no longer be Burma's spokesperson.
However, he needs to do much more if he really wants to show that Thailand is on board with the international community in promoting democracy in Burma. To start with, he could suspend Thailand's pledge to jointly pursue hydroelectric dam projects along the Salween River until Burma speeds up reforms, releases Aung San Suu Kyi, and also allows an independent and comprehensive environmental impact study.