British Prime Minister visits Myanmar; PM Cameron, Suu Kyi back suspension of sanctions; Thaksin in Cambodia, addresses supporters in a rally; US and the Philippine hold war games; China, Philippines discussion ended in stalemate;
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    • (April 9-15, 2012)

    According to reports, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron began his visit to Myanmar on April 13, 2012. He is the first British Prime Minister to visit Mayanmar since 1948. 1 During his visit to the country, Prime Minister Cameron met the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The two leaders agreed and backed for suspending sanctions on the country. Suu Kyi and UK have long been the biggest advocates of sanctions, imposed over the past 23 years for human rights abuses by Myanmar's military rulers. 2

    In another development, according to reports, addressing a gathering of thousands of supporters, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra promised to return to Thailand. The rally was held on April 14, 2012 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Thaksin supporters have been traveling to Sien Reap via road from Thailand since April 11. 3 Thaksin, ousted by a 2006 military coup after being accused of abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy, led a song-filled rally to mark Songkran, the Thai New Year. 4

    According to reports, thousands of US soldiers are to participate in two weeks of war games in the Philippines starting on April 16, 2012, as the two nations look to strengthen their military alliance. The Balikatan (Shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises are an annual event but this year are expected to attract a greater focus with some of the drills set to be held close to sensitive South China Sea waters claimed by the Chinese. The Philippines has insisted the exercises, involving 4,500 US personnel and 2,300 Filipino troops, should not be seen by China as a provocation. 5

    However, China, Philippine discussions on April 14, 2012 reportedly ended in stalemate as five Chinese ships left the Scarborough Shoal with alleged illegal haul of natural resources. The development ends a tense standoff between the two nations that started on April 10, 2012. Chinese vessels blocked Coast Guard ships trying to arrest Chinese fishermen said to be catching endangered coral, giant clams and black-tipped sharks. The Philippines wanted to confiscate the cargo, while China said the fishermen would be subject to Chinese law. 6

    In other developments, according to the media reports, East Timor is ready to conduct polls, which are due on April 16, 2012. The final elections, in which Taur Matan Ruak is competing against the Fretilin Party candidate Francisco Guterres Lu'olo, are considered crucial for the country. However, the election observer Professor Damien Kingsbury confirmed the reports that situation in the country is tense as several complaints have been made to authorities since the election began. However, he added that so far the allegations have not been substantiated. 7

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