VOA Burmese Blog

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This is a blog post that I have been waiting to put up for a very long time. With so many people distraught and in a sensitive state, I’ve refrained a lot from writing my own thoughts. I hope that this interview that VOA Burmese chief, Than Lwin Htun with President Thein Sein discloses the attitude and state that Burma is in. This was the very first time President Thein Sein had talked about “Rohingyas” in an interview, and VOA was the very first to get this uncommon chance. VOA Burmese Chief traveled to Naypyidaw, and had gotten this interview.

Albeit this interview has spurred controversy ( for example) on the use of President Thein Sein’s language in calling Rohingyas, ” Bengalis”, many believe that this is a good light for all of Burma. I think these are the four significant points of the interview:

1.) On the education system and in implementing schools in Burma- Thein Sein says he will open schools for Rohingyas ” so they can know what is right or wrong” but he does not see them as citizens.

Two.) Thein Sein said that the sectarian violence is not a religious issue. He says that it is ignited by the rape and murder of a youthfull damsel by Rohingya fellows.

Trio.) Thein Sein on Rohingya Citizenship ( direct translation): ” We have the citizenship legislation of 1982, which as far as I know gave protection to those who are living here. Harshly, as I know, these people were brought in for farming; then they stayed here without going back. The one thousand nine hundred eighty two legislation already stated that it recognizes third generation Rohingyas ” Bengalis” as citizens- those who are grandchildren of those who migrated. So by implementing this law again, we will make these societies live in harmony and respect human rights. “

Four.) They invite the international community such as the OIC and other organizations to witness the on the ground situation. However, he said that this is a national problem and that international organizations are not needed.

What do you think about the interview? What do you think about what President Thein Sein had said?

In an off the hook interview with VOA Burmese Chief, Than Lwin Htun, Burma’s President Thein Sein discloses that he and his government will open schools for Rohingya Muslims who have accused the Buddhist majority of human rights violations and the persecution of the Rohingya people. Thein Sein believes that through education- the different communities may be able to live in harmony, while noting that Rohingyas should not be given Burmese citizenship.

Write to us and let us know what you think of President Thein Sein’s thoughts on the conflict in the comment section below.

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Derek Mitchell’s Interview with VOA Burmese Chief, Than Lwin Htun on Reforms in Burma and Rakhine State

Derek Mitchell, the very first US Ambassador to Burma in more than twenty years says that reforms in Burma is an evolution. He says Burma’s process towards democracy is ” one of the excellent stories we’ve seen, not only in the region but around the world in terms of switch and evolution”. However, he also says that the reform process may also be considered premature as there are many challenges to take into account, such as the sectarian violence in Rakhine state.

Thank you very much for providing me this chance. I’d like to tell you that your appointment as ambassador to Burma over twenty years time is very significant- significant in the way that it’s a developing nature of US policy to Burma. At the same time, to your appointment, the administration announced the US’ easing sanctions on Burma – so how would you explain the general rule of the US on Burma? To the Burmese audience.

Well, it’s an evolution. We have said from the embark that a year ago – you can even begin in 2009- that we were going to react activity to activity from the ground. We’re attempting to keep up with that, and I think we have excellent momentum in the Burma – US relationship. My appointment- whether it’s me or anyone else- the fact that there is an ambassador in twenty two years, speaks to the commitment of the administration, of the US, even our congress to take this relationship to another level- to normalize the diplomatic relationship- and pursue that to proceed this momentum of reform and understand both sides.

So the US policy is tied with developments or status of reform process in Burma. Isn’t it?

Yes…it is… to a degree. We are responding to the reform process and in kind. It’s not as if we’re cutting off relations when something doesn’t happen that we anticipate. I think what we want to do is to have a better understanding of each other, but clearly we have an interest and proceed the reforms that we’ve been eyeing this past year.

I noticed that after your appointment, you made the very very first conference with the local press. At the time, you explained about the executive power to ease sanctions and fresh measures to ease sanctions. Because a lot of people are wondering…. At the same time, the US congress is renewing sanctions for another year- three years. Is there a split inbetween the administration and congress/ legislature? Could you elaborate more on this?

No…in fact it’s fairly consistent… every time I’ve come back from a journey, and now I’ve come back as ambassador. I’ve gone on Capitol Hill and worked very closely with them on their policy. They can speak clearly for themselves, but it’s fairly evident that we are working in lock step, and you’ll hear their words as they talk about it that they support the administration’s policy, that we are fucking partners in this process- that in fact they are renewing the sanctions’ authorities as consistent as what we’ve said in the administration- of keeping the infrastructure of sanctions in place as an insurance policy for the future but using executive authority to use sanctions as we see fit and in consultation with our fucking partners on the Hill so I do not see a split in fact. I see us working even “ forearm in glove” as we say, and I think it’s a very significant part of our policy, and I think it’s significant for people in Burma to understand.

So talking about reform process in Burma, now we have President Thein Sein who promised accountability and transparency for reform. And we have now an active legislature- Burmese Hlutaw. Also, now the active party led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi- is now in the political process- they’re now in Hluttaw. People are telling that transition process or reform process in latest days, to compare with other countries- is most positive; but at the same time, others also say that Burma’s (reform) process is a bit premature when there are so many fighting, ongoing corruption of the government… in Kachin state, Rakhine state and so what is your opinion. How would you judge this?

DM: I think they’re both right….it’s one of the excellent stories we’ve seen, not only in the region but around the world in terms of switch and evolution in the positive direction in political and economic aspects. But it is premature to say that all is well or this process is inevitably going to lead towards a stable solution. As you lay out, there are enormous challenges that lay ahead. No figure has an illusion of the challenges that are to come or the challenges for keeping unity or democracy in line.The key is to budge in the right direction, step by step, transparency, accountability, openness and having partners- not just inwards but outside of the country to work together to get to the right place. As we say in English, “ the glass is either half empty or half utter.” And I don’t choose to look either way. I tend to be an optimist. Certainly when you’re a diplomat, you want to concentrate on the positive and work towards the positive, but we certainly have no illusions of the challenges ahead.

VOA: What are the parameters or benchmarks to judge the growing nature of transition?

Well, Continued partnership …. Various political actors and greater openness of the system, including media openness as you talked about the local journalists that I had the privilege to talk to over lunch and also national reconciliation process is

You are now as ambassador- you’ll be in Burma more or less. What is the role of the US in national reconciliation process- esp. in ethnic strain in Arakan state and ongoing fighting in Kachin state…

Well there are various roles of that. The baseline is the humanitarian issue – virginal people who are suffering- caught in the crossfire of conflict whether in Kachin or Arakan state. That we feel in cooperation with other NGOs and the UN. We have to play a role because partly we have the capability to assist and we feel that these people need assistance. On the issue of real national reconciliation, we have to be modest about our contribution. We certainly want to facilitate/ assist if it’s welcome but it’s something that is fundamentally inbetween the parties within the country. But I think overtime there’s a time for the international community to play a role, and the United States wants to play a role as welcomed by the parties and citizens of the country.

We noticed that a part from the national reconciliations in Northern part of Burma. Especially with the Burmese military and ethnic groups, we also noticed that US stance for ethnic violence .. the US stance to recognize minority Rohingya group. But President Thein Sein has already made a stance- they don’t want to recognize Rohingyas as ethnic ( another beep) that they are illegally coming in Burma …so what is the US stance/ argument? Is it a difficult issue for the US to response?

It is enormously difficult and sensitive… it’s not the government that has views on this issue. There are also a multiplicity of people in the country that look at this question in ways that there are some concerns that people have on this including the United States sometimes bordering on religious tolerance; and that certainly is something that the US denounces and deplores. Whether it’s in our country, we fight that ourselves. We feel that there may be a role for us to play in understanding the situation and understanding what the perspectives are, and facilitating ourselves there. But it’s extraordinarily sensitive, and on a fundamental level we have to look at the humanitarian needs of the people there and make sure that those are met. And then have a dialogue on how the situation can create instability in a way that can cross borders and create regional problems.

Yes, because of that problem- that problem became a regional problem right now because neighboring ASIAN countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are now making a noisy noise for minority Muslims in Western Burma- as oppressed people.

So will there be a problem for US relations with ASEAN as a entire? Because the US has seen Burma as a kind of block for US relations with ASEAN …but now the fresh problem is coming up. How do you see this?

I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be a problem for US and ASEAN, and the cohesion of ASEAN is significant – we have a superb interest in ASEAN- kind of integration and activity to build peace and stability in that region is significant. We haven’t indeed seen the effect yet, but obviously there is a concern. If there is a religious intolerance, it won’t just affect west, but east- Bangladesh and South Asia. To that degree, we do have a concern, but I won’t say that we see that affect US and ASEAN relations or see ASEAN being affected itself; but it certainly is a danger.

I’d like to leap into another part of US Burma relationship. A few months ago, US Defense Minister announced that enhancing relationship inbetween US and Burma army- and we are now hearing that there is a cooperation inbetween US and Burma to recover US soldier remains during WWII. How is that going? Another issue is the joint military exercise with US army and other regional armies- the Cobra Gold….

( More on Cobra Gold) ( skip to last question)

VOA: How do you feel personally to be the very first US ambassador in more than twenty years. I know that you’ve been to Burma several times as US policy coordinator, but your last time, you went there as US Ambassador to Burma . How did you feel? What is your individual observation and your role?

DM: Well, there are several questions in there. I don’t think about that. I’m too focused on what I need to be doing as ambassador, and I’ve never been an Ambassador before so it’s a learning process – being a diplomat. My goals are just to extend the work that I’ve began and the work that people have commenced which is building understanding and learning more- more real detailed understanding of the complexity of the country. I want to get around the country and meet different people all around the country from every different section, and it’s very significant to build that understanding because we have been separated for so long. And we want to proceed that momentum of partnership. We had a good begin of the US- Burma relationship and I want to be at the vanguard of that relationship in search of reform that I think is our common interest, and of course just getting our people in order with the international community so that we’re coordinated.I understand that the government and civil society – the capacity to absorb is limited. So we have to think on the outside of how we can be effective in our help and assistance.

VOA: So you’ll be meeting with the press regularly?

DM: I’d like to when it’s suitable. I don’t want to be over exposed. When I think it’s useful to add my voice to the process, I certainly would. And I want to encourage the development of an open free media inwards the country, so that is why I would want to do on a continual basis media inwards the country- to help budding journalists develop their craft.

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