Pressing Burma Ahead of Its Election

At the 16th ASEAN Summit held in Hanoi, Southeast Asian leaders urged Burma/Myanmar to hold “free, fair and inclusive” elections and to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in the process. “The blunter than usual language reflects the concern of some ASEAN members who believe that the behavior of Burma’s military rulers is damaging the group’s standing as it attempts to transform itself into a credible regional bloc,” says Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society’s Director of Policy Studies.

“But they did not go far enough, missing an important opportunity to call into question the new electoral laws, which bar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in the upcoming elections. A recently released Asia Society report, which incorporates perspectives from experts in nine Asian countries and the United States, calls attention to the lack of a cohesive international strategy to deal with Burma. While it is widely acknowledged that the real impetus for change must come from inside Burma, the potential significance of external influence on the country should not be underestimated.”

Suzanne, who is based in New York, is Director of Asia Society’s Task Force on U.S. Policy toward Burma/Myanmar. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].