Saving face

	FROM A DISTANCE	By CARMEN N. PEDROSA
	My Burmese friends tell me that they are as unhappy about foreign sanctions as they are about oppressive government. Wherever it comes from, they are against anything that makes their life more difficult. It is not a new discovery. It is true of most people, whether he is Burmese or Filipino or even American. They simply want to live in peace and pursue their individual happiness. Recent actions of the US government have stepped up the campaign against Myanmar’s military government in an effort to get maximum attention from Southeast Asian countries in APEC, (which includes the Philippines) in Sydney.

The Philippine Star

My Burmese friends tell me that they are as unhappy about foreign sanctions as they are about oppressive government. Wherever it comes from, they are against anything that makes their life more difficult. It is not a new discovery. It is true of most people, whether he is Burmese or Filipino or even American. They simply want to live in peace and pursue their individual happiness. Recent actions of the US government have stepped up the campaign against Myanmar’s military government in an effort to get maximum attention from Southeast Asian countries in APEC, (which includes the Philippines) in Sydney.

But if the Bush government thinks calling the recently concluded Myanmar constitutional convention a “total sham” or that the Myanmar government are tyrannical thugs, he is ill advised. It won’t score points with Asians who put enormous importance on national and increasingly, on regional pride. He is ill-advised for insulting the Myanmar government to convince the Burmese to rise against their government. I daresay that if ‘saving face’ is a universal desire, it is deeply embedded in Asian culture. Moreover, Asians have become even more sensitive to ‘face saving’ because their colonial experience have been pushed about for too long.

According to reports the American president attacked the Burmese military government in his first public remarks in Sydney. He condemned the regime’s “tyrannical behavior in Asia and that it is inexcusable that people who march for freedom are then treated by a repressive state.”

Earlier, his wife Laura Bush was said to have called UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, “asking him to take issue with the Myanmar regime over a crackdown on dissent on a hike in fuel prices.” She added “being first lady is not limited to “reading, education and baking cookies”.

All this are obvious signs that there is a concerted attempt to heighten feelings against the Myanmar government in time for the APEC audience. Unfortunately it happens at a time when Myanmar has also had to raise fuel prices. But as one Burmese diplomat told me ‘other countries increase their fuel prices all the time. He thinks these attacks are directed to Asian countries that are reluctant to follow US diktat on taking a hard line against the military government. These countries, all co-Asians and co-Aseans of Myanmar, do not think that pushing the Myanmar government to a crisis to spark unrest will put Myanmar on the road to democracy. On the contrary, it will stiffen the military government’s resolve against outside interference.

Indeed in recent months the Myanmar government has sent signals with its latest moves — to finish the constitutional convention, to free some activists etc — as small steps to show their willingness to change. To return these small, seemingly tentative steps towards democracy with heightened attacks was a slap on the face. It can only be counterproductive. How much better if these tentative moves were used as a good opportunity to help it along and reinforce its confidence towards a more democratic government. Admittedly it will require more creativity and sensitivity, but then these are not strong hallmarks of contemporary American foreign policy.

It has not helped that some western media attacked Ibrahim Gambari who was appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to ‘build bridges to the Myanmar government”. A recent editorial, ‘Courage in Burma’ ignored these UN efforts to use its “good office’s mandate” which was working towards national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar.

In a letter to the editor, Undersecretary Gambari said that far from being “missing in action” as the secretary general’s special envoy, I have been the only international actor to maintain face-to-face dialogue with Myanmar’s leaders about the need for democracy and human rights. In that context, I have been able to advance the international community’s concerns directly with Myanmar’s senior. He was allowed to visit Aung Sang Suuk Yi in a rare departure from Myanmar’s policy.

“Since UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon appointed me three months ago to continue this work on his behalf, no effort has been spared to rally international support behind the mandate. As a result, for the first time, all key interested countries, including China, India, Russia and Myanmar’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations neighbors, are mobilized to encourage the country to make progress.”

The government’s response to recent demonstrations is all the more disappointing, as it runs counter to the spirit of the good office’s mandate. The secretary general immediately expressed his concern, calling for dialogue instead of confrontation. We cannot, however, let such incidents weaken our determination to work with and for the people of Myanmar.

Equipped with broad international support, it is time for us to reengage with all the relevant parties in Myanmar to build on the recent openness and potential for progress in a number of areas. Engagement is not an end in itself: Process must translate into real progress. But let us not forget that until recently, there was no opening for dialogue between Myanmar and the international community.

Expectations are high that the Myanmar government will continue to cooperate. In this regard, it is essential that the authorities refrain from actions that undermine the process of national reconciliation through an all-inclusive dialogue,” UN Undersecretary Ibrahim Gambari said.

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We can save ourselves from a lot of heartaches by changing our attitude towards nation-building. A mature and stable country does not happen overnight. Moreover it cannot be credited to one Filipino alone but to many. All of us should be part of nation building however difficult it takes, step by step, block by block.

Soundy Rafol, who is from Romblon, wrote this column that the article on mining was timely because mining activity has begun in Sibuyan Island. He writes that some are against it because of its impact on the environment so it is good if the people could be more informed. The article was posted at www.cajidiocan.com, a website created by a fellow Sibuyanon named Bobet T. of Cajidiocan/USA. As expected there were differences but at least it stimulated discussion. He also mentioned government officials — Congressman is Atty. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Governor is Jojo M. Beltran, son of the late Congressman Dr. Natalio M. Beltran Sr. as well as the different mayors: Nanette Tansingco, San Fernando; Nick Ramos, Cajidiocan; Baring Mansala-Magdiwang Gerald Montojo — Romblon. They can all help to inform the people on responsible mining. He has invited this column to visit the sites and bring former director of Bureau of Mines Joel Muyco along.

My e-mail is cpedrosaster@gmail.com