“I can’t predict when exactly the restrictive measures will be lifted. I understand that we need to encourage the president to continue the reforms but they should be done in a very credible basis,” EU commissioner for development Andris Piebalgs told reporters after his three-day visit to Burma this month. The Latvian politician is the first European Commissioner to meet Burmese President Thein Sein.

Piebalgs said he was impressed with reforms taking place in Burma and that he received “clear confirmation” from the president that reforms would continue.

“I took note of the significant progress in negotiating peace settlements with ethnic groups, a key ingredient for stability and prosperity. We discussed the respect for human rights and the release of political prisoners. In this regard, the authorities confirmed their readiness to cooperate with us on remaining cases,” he said. Burma has so far freed over 600 political prisoners and made ceasefire agreements with ethnic groups.

Piebalgs confirmed the litmus test will be the result of the EU annual sanctions review, which will take place after the by-elections on April 1. The decision of the EU Council in April, he said, will be made without jeopardising the “credibility of EU decision-makers”.

The EU in 1996 adopted a common position on sanctions against Burma, following the widespread civil unrest in 1988. The restrictive measures included asset freezes, visa and investment bans against the dictatorship and its cronies, and arms embargo. Recent reforms in Burma had EU partially lifting some of these.

But the EU has long been divided on how to deal with restrictions on Burma. Reports show there are countries like the UK, Netherlands and Ireland that favour stronger sanctions while France, for instance, has resisted. One of France’s largest companies is an investor in Burma.
Piebalgs said while he will attempt to convince the EU members to further ease the sanctions, getting consensus from 27 countries is not easy to achieve.

“Even (one country) could in a way veto me because no one would go against one country that does not believe restrictive measures should be kept for long,” he said.

During the official’s visit, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi asked the West to await the results of the April polls before deciding on lifting the sanctions, according to a report by the Irrawady.

“If the run-up to the elections is free and fair and the voting is free and fair then it would certainly be time for the European Union to start thinking about lifting some of the sanctions,” Suu Kyi told Irrawady.

A sanctions review by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy stated restrictions should be modified only “in the interests of democracy, human rights, and a healthy economic environment”.

It said available evidence indicates that contrary to criticisms, economic conditions within the country have not been significantly affected by the impositions. It cited a report by the International Monetary Fund that “poor economic policies, mismanagement and an unattractive investment climate” are the factors plaguing the Burmese economy, not the restrictions.

“Allegations that economic sanctions have prevented the emergence of a middle class overlook the glaring fact that there is no genuine market economy in Burma. Blatant cronyism is the trademark of the Burmese economy and constitutes (as) the main obstacle,” it said.

(Published by Asia News Network. AsiaNews:  February 24-March 8, 2012: “Burma’s Blueprint”)

Current EU measures against Burma

While sanctions imposed on Burma have been seen as having no notable impact on the economy, civil society sources report that these sanctions, combined with those from the US, are reducing revenue for the government.

>>Arms embargo
The EU has issued an embargo on arms that can be used for military purposes. While the EU supports a global arms embargo, there are no steps to build consensus, allowing Burma to purchase weapons in other countries.

>>Ban on non-humanitarian aid
Development assistance through central government is not allowed to prevent aid money from being stolen by the generals. Strict rules preventing European aid delivered through the dictatorship were eased in 2004.

>>Suspension of trade privileges
The Generalised System of Preferences allows reduced and duty free access to markets of developed countries. This was withdrawn from Burma in 1997 because of reported use of forced labour.

>>Visa ban
A visa ban for senior regime officials and their families, business cronies, and certain judges. This has also prevented junior government officials to send their children to western universities. In April 2011, as part of an initiative to show willingness to increase dialogue, the ban was suspended for a year.

>>Freeze of assets
Assets of those on the visa ban list were held. However, this does not cover the military-controlled government and associated companies; as a result, very little money has been frozen.

>>Limited investment ban

This was imposed in 2004 as a belated response to the Depayin Massacre in 2003 when at least 70 people were killed by regime during an attempt to assassinate Aung San Suu Kyi. The aim was to stop revenue going to the dictatorship–which controls new investment through government and military-owned companies, and their business cronies. EU investment sanctions were strengthened in 2008 and now cover timber, gems and mining, but still not oil and gas or dams.

Source: Burma Campaign UK, as of April 2011

The De la Cruz siblings were fathered and abandoned by US servicemen in the Philippines.

(First of two articles)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – There was a hint of embarrassment in Mark Gilbore’s voice as he pointed to the infamous red light district of Angeles City.

It was almost dusk when girls of various shapes and sizes began to pour out onto the streets. Clad in clothes that showed off more skin than fabric, they sashayed on stilettos into the narrow road called “Walking Street,” their glassy smiles intact.

“There,” Mark said as he pointed to a girl wearing a skimpy rodeo outfit outside a bar that was just about to open its neon sign. “She’s like me,” he said, looking away.

The girl, like Mark, is an Amerasian or a child fathered by American servicemen who were stationed in Clark Base in Pampanga, back when the US had its biggest military bases in the Asia Pacific region, here at Subic and Clark. The American bases were opened from 1903 till 1991, when the destructive eruption of nearby Mt. Pinatubo and a historic 12-11 vote by the Philippine Senate finally forced their exit from Philippine shores.  But when the soldiers left, few cared about the children they left behind.

Continue reading here: http://www.interaksyon.com/abandoned

Among them is a replacement for its envoy to Sierra Leone, Qiu Shaofang. The newly-appointed ambassador to Sierra Leone is Kuang Weilin.

Thursday (23/7) Ri Hong Sik, Director General for International Organization Cooperation of North Korea Foreign Ministry suddenly ambushed into press conference room that has been prepared for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Phuket. Ri said he wanted to give a press statement but refused to use the room as soon he knew it was prepared for Clinton. Clinton herself was still having her lunch after ARF meeting, where US and North Korea both members.

Ri walked out and drew all journalists whom were waiting for Clinton, and started his statement in Korean.

“Six parties talks is a dead end and DPRK (North Korea) refused to joint it again because of US political that too hostile,” Ri said, as translated by several Korean journalists. Ri said he is disappointed by Clinton statements in last view days which he recalled as “showing she is no intelligent but act sometimes like a school girl and sometimes like a pensioners who likes to go shopping”.

The six parties talks has been held in years between Russia, England, France, China, US and North Korea, to discuss Pyong Yang nuclear projects. But early 2009, North Korea refused to join the talks again after US pushed UN Security Council on condemning their nuclear missiles potential satellites launch.

The North Korean reaction in Phuket was triggered by Clinton’s statement during her visit in Thailand. Clinton announced CIA findings that believed Myanmar-North Korea military cooperation might lead to nuclear weapon in building, and stated US will push more of economical sanctions if North Korean still refused on denuclearized. On contrary, US offered more incentives if the Kim Jong Il state agreed to do so. But Director General Ri said his country thinks the offer as a lie.

After Ri’s ambush, Friday (23/7) Clinton said US still wish North Korea to join back to 6 parties talks but will prepared themselves for all “defense measurements needed”.

“Unfortunately the north Korean delegation is in consistent position to recognize that north Korean has done no wrong course…I think it’s important to stress that the international community responses to North Korean action has been clear and anonymous that US and its ally can not accept to maintain North Korea to pursue nuclear weapon”, Clinton said.

She stated while waiting for any hope of discussion with North Korea, US will fulfill their obligation to their allies of South Korea and Japan, by increasing any kind of defensive military weapons in Korean Peninsula area.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayudha said during ARF meeting, North Korea has been insisted not to denuclearize based on unfinished status of Korean War. Since 1954, the war has not been ended with any peace treaty, but with cease fire. So legally, both Korea are still in war.

“This is what North Korea constantly uses as their excuse not to denuclearized, because they think they need it to defend them self from US and its allies,” Wirayudha said.

During ARF, Indonesia has met several times with North Korea, and Wirayudha said North Korea agreed to accept Indonesian diplomatic team visiting Pyongyang after Non Aligned Movement meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

“But as like watching people fighting each other, we will wait until the anger gone and try to settle for the right time,” said Wirayudha.

***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 24th July 2009

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayudha said the TAC ratification means Asean dialogue partners like US will have to obey ‘behaviour conduct of rules’ in South East Asia, as to support Asean willingness to create peace and stability in the region.

“By deciding to access or ratify TAC, US promised to themselves not to use violence in solving conflicts (in South East Asia),” said Wirayudha, Tuesday (21/7) in Phuket.

The TAC was agreed in 1976 as Asean peace treaty to against any aggression acts and to built regional stability. Since 1987, the treaty add protocol which allowed dialogue partners to ratify it. Wirayudha said Asean step by step will demand all their dialogue partners to ratify the protocol. Secretary of State Clinton will arrive in Phuket today (22/7) to ratify TAC and to strengthen the idea of US being Asean dialogue partner.

Clinton presence will also brought US concern on Myanmar military puppet trial for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and North Korea nuclear issue. Suu Kyi is facing trial for 5 years prisons by accepting an American stayed at her home for 2 days. If she found guilty, Suu Kyi might not able to join Myanmar election of 2010.

Human rights expert of International NGO Coalition Rafendi Djamin said westerners should stop trying pressing Myanmar military junta with any economical, military or political pressure.

“Myanmar can not be pressed as what westerners has done now by using political and economical boycotts,” Rafendi said.

Myanmar military junta is being stubborn against westerners economical and political sanctions, by cuddling in to China armpits. China as their biggest economy partner has veto rights in UN Security council and made Myanmar untouchable.

“I think Hillary Clinton acknowledge it very well and therefore with the new administration they had in US, they are willing to do new policy on Myanmar,” said Rafendi.

The US interest has become Asean benefit to force westerners to have diplomacy approach on Myanmar. Tuesday (21/7) Asean Ministerial Forum agreed on Wirayudha’s proposal to be more selective on choosing their dialogue partner in the future and build criteria and law with it. The criteria and law, Wirayudha said, will bring consequences for each countries whom ratify TAC. It will be launched in head states Asean meeting in Bangkok next October. ***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 22nd July 2009

During Russia-Asean bilateral meeting in Asean Regional Forum 16th in Phuket, Thailand, Wednesday afternoon (21/7) the Russian delegates insisted on showing their investment interests on gas and renewable energy of South East Asia.

“The relationship has been from long ago but now we are in the new stage, the new era, and Russia is coming back to Asean,” Bakhtier Khakimov, Director of Asia Pacific Cooperation of Foreign Ministry of Russia said. Within these investments talks, Khakimov said Russia and Asean also agreed on building culture centers to draw their people closer each other.

In Soviet Union (USSR) era, Russia did have strong political bounds with Indonesia in Soekarno era and with Vietnam during their war against the United States. But after US back up Soeharto coup in 1965 revealed in success, USSR was losing their valuable bounds with the biggest country in the region. And so on with other Asean’s communist countries after USSR falls. The relationship was in a long coma until 2005, when Asean plus Russia 1st conference was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Among South East Asia region, Khakimov said Russia is putting their priority on building alternative gas pipe line down to China, Japan and the region. The pipe line will aim to Indonesia, which has 43 percent of Asia gas reserve. Khakimov said the Russian hope to able to start building them in 2015 when Asean economy integration begins.

In Indonesia, Russian giant gas company of Gazprom has been actively expanding their investment for LNG for past two years. Their Sakhalin-2 project of US $ 2 billions in 2008 has constantly worries South Korea and Japan of losing their Indonesian LNG share in the future.

Japanese Foreign Minister Spoke person Kazuo Kodama in Phuket, Thailand said his country demands a base rule on world energy market and dialogues among producer and consumer countries to conduct their worries.

“In order to address the energy crisis we may want you to know- even G8 leaders weeks ago realized- that recent global crisis was sudden extended caused by speculative money. So what is really important is to introduce important currency in energy market and also more constructive dialogue between producer and consumer between countries,” said Kodama, Wednesday (22/7) after rejecting to comment directly on Russian energy plans.

While expanding on Indonesian LNG, Russian is actively improving their renewable energy technology among Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Not only as the richest gas reserve country in the world, Russia also rich on renewable energy potentials such as wind, water, geothermal, biomass and sun. Though, most of Russian energy still depends on oil. Khakimov said Russian government is encouraging their businessmen to invest more on this field in South East Asia.

***
Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 23rd July 2009

During 42nd Asean meeting in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday afternoon (19/7), 10 Asean minister finally agreed on regional human rights body draft after Indonesian foreign minister Hasan Wirayudha withdrew Indonesian proposal. Indonesia has become the only Asean country to think the body has no balance, but only to promote human rights without able to give any real protection for the people of South East Asia.

The draft has 14 articles that will promote human rights in South East Asia. But there are only two articles mentioning protection against violations, and they are captured in boundaries of “obtaining information of any violation and to discuss and consult with civil societies”.

“But the civil societies role is also limited with the idea that only Asean accredited groups can join the human rights commissions,” Yuyun Wahyuningrum of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development said. She said all a long, lots of civil societies groups have struggled to investigate human rights violation in Singapore and Cambodia, because the governments rejected them by excuse of “only government accredited civil societies allowed.”

Since June 2008, Indonesia has tried to stand against other nine member countries for the sake of pushing 3 proposals on the body. Indonesia required the body to be able to meet and discuss human rights with other credible institute, to observe the situation and give recommendation, and periodically give reviews. But the idea was rejected. Except Indonesia, other South East Asia countries seem not keen to wash their dirty laundry in front of the public. And it includes Thailand and Philipines whom declare as democracy country and support human rights.

“We most welcome to Indonesian idea and we also, as full pledged democracy. But I think we still have different political regimes of Asean countries and so let’s work together and then so do the best to serve Asean Charter,” Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said. But he said, the draft is balance enough already.

While Philippines delegate spoke person Ed Malay said his country has not ditched Indonesia and left it alone to fight in Asean human rights forum.

“Of course not. We have not been quite. Philippines is one of Asean countries who earlier support Asean human rights body and we have advocated for more portion of protection within the body,” Malay said.”But we are conscius that under Asean we have this evolutionary approach. What is important is for the body to be established first then allow it to grow.” Though Malay stated that Philippines think the draft is balance enough.

Attacked by other nine Asean countries made Wirayudha looked for other way. After 2 hours extended meeting, Wirayudha finally agreed after the forum accepted Indonesian proposal to review the body within 5 years, with a mechanism which will be further discussed.

“To make this human rights body credible in the future, I demanded a must review agreement among members, to establish forward step further for the body. This is the compromise that we make and the floor agreed,” Wirayudha said.

There is still a long road to go. Head of Indonesian Negotiation Team Rachmat Budiman said in next October Asean Summit in Bangkok, Indonesia will again push the 3 proposals to become the new review mechanism.

“We demanded the review mechanism talk will discuss Indonesian proposals only and the floor agreed,” said Rachmat.

***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 21st July 2009

During 42nd Asean Ministerial Forum in Phuket, Thailand, the director generals for economy cooperation agreed to implement Initiative for Asean Integration (IAI) Saturday night (18/7), which obligated six member countries of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Philippine to help other least developed members.

“Now a day there is an economical gap between members therefore (Asean) programs which called as ‘narrowing the development gap’ is build. If we want to pursue economical integration in 2015, then we have to do the program,” Director General of Asean Economic Edi Yusuf said after the meeting. He said that by pursuing the integration, it means Indonesia will have stronger market with other Asean countries, and by so will be more immune to global financial crisis. Indonesia, China and India are the only Asians to survive with economical growth by expanding their alternative domestic and abroad markets.

The Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Asean plan to reach economic integration in 2015, by implementing similar fiscal at all Asean countries, much more simple investment rules among members and strengthen regional banking. This integration he said would encourage more investments among Asean members them self, together with the technological transfer, capital flow and build a strong alternative market. Doing so, Asean wish not to be dragged along with financial crisis every time US and Europe are in trouble.

Took the words out of Edi Yusuf’s mouth, Surin stated the integration can not be achieved if Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) were left least developed.

“Without bridging the (economic) gap Asean will not be in the field of conduct, asean will be divided and the way to have a solid Asean, a prosper Asean, a stable Asean would be eliminating the gap between the old and new members,” Surin said in a press conference Friday (17/7) in Phuket,Thailand.

Edi said Indonesia is preparing infrastructural assistance programs for CLMV which fund will be taken from 2010 national budget. Their will be no certain amount of allocation fund for this, but to have each departments propose their plans to the finance ministry. Edi said the fund also can be taken from Asean dialogue partner loans likewise from Japan and South Korea. Indonesia will meet South Korea to have ministerial bilateral meeting during Asean summit in Pukhet, Thursday (22/7).

Edi said the assistance projects were not new for Indonesia. In 2005, Indonesia has contributed similar infrastructure assistance to Laos, by using Agriculture Ministry budget. Edi said not only for the sake of the economy integration, giving asistances can be helpful for Indonesia in international community.

“If we help them, at least they can be our supporters for what we stand in international communities negotiation process. As we know, lots developed countries in the world build their supporters by giving economical asistances for other countries,” said him.
***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 20th July 2009

The agreement was made during Asean Senior Official Meeting and declared statement of condemning Jakarta bombing as solidarity of Asean for the victims and all of Indonesian people. It also stated Asean members countries willingness to help Indonesia countering terrorism.

“As (Indonesian) Foreign Minister asked me to, we are able to push Asean Forum Minister to condemn Jakarta Bomb. I think this is a good thing,” Secretary General of Foreign Ministry Imron Cotan said.

He said this cooperation among Asean countries will encounter intelegent’s networking among Asean countries with all members obligated to joint the war against international terrorism. Imron said further cooperation mechanism will be discussed today Sunday (19/7).

“I expect that we will again talk on cooperation of countering extremism in tomorrow Asean foreign minister meeting,” Imron said in Saturday (18/7).

Major General Ongrad Pongsakdi of Thais military said they have made their intelligence officers alert because of Jakarta bombing. Thailand has been transit country of terrorism suspects to escape to US or Europe, as was happened in August 2003. Mind master of Bali Bomb Hambali A.K.A Riduan Ismamudin was arrested by US intelegent in Bangkok, when he tried to enter Thailand using Spanish passport.

“I can not tell you the details, but I can tell that our intelegent people on field has been alert,” Pongsakdi said, during his inspection of Asean meeting’s security check in Phuket.

Secretary General Imron said help was also offered by European Union at the same day they stated to condemn Jakarta Bombing. Similar response has been declared by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon Friday (17/7) and Imron said it will be soon followed by UN Security Council.

“There has not yet an official statement (to help Indonesia tackling terrorism from Security council) but I can see signs of going there,” Imron said.

****

Print edition was published in Jurnal Nasional, 19th June 2009