Australia extends sanctions on Myanmar; UN Chief says he’s frustrated by lack of progress on Myanmar; ICG urges cooperation with Junta
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    • Australia extended financial sanctions against another 45 of Myanmar’s military leaders on October 22 as a protest against the junta's lack of progress toward democracy. Its Foreign Minister Stephen Smith stated that the new list of 463 individuals singled out for sanctions included members of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, government ministers and military officers as well as the regime's business associates and relatives. The new list replaces a list of 418 people announced a year ago after the junta crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks. Australia has long banned defense exports to Myanmar and denies travel visas to members of the regime1.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his frustration at the Myanmarese government’s failure to take meaningful steps in response to appeals by the international community to democratise. Ban called for the release of all political prisoners as well as a time-bound dialogue which would include all stakeholders in Myanmar. Ban also stated that he would visit Myanmar only when he was sure of the possibility of achieving progress toward the goals the UN had set and when he was certain his visit would yield tangible results2.

    Meanwhile, on the eve of the 13th anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest on October 22, the US State department stated that the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi should be the first step towards the reintegration of Myanmar with the international community. The European Parliament also called on Asian and European leaders at the ASEM meeting in Beijing to launch a joint appeal to the military government for the release of all political prisoners3.

    The Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG), in its report “Burma/Myanmar after Nargis: Time to Normalise Aid Relations” released on October 20, called on the international community to “build on the unprecedented cooperation between the Myanmar [Burmese] government and humanitarian agencies following Cyclone Nargis and reverse longstanding, counterproductive aid policies.” The report noted that aid was essential for humanitarian reasons, and was also the best available opportunity for the international community to promote positive change in Myanmar. It pointed out that the recent cooperation had proved that it was possible to work with the regime on humanitarian issues and to deliver assistance in an effective and accountable way4.

    In other domestic developments, reports noted that Win Mya Mya, a well-known pro-democracy activist and five other members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), were sentenced to long prison terms on October 245.

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