The surprise release of more than 300 political prisoners by Burma’s semi-civilian Government last week is one of the most important steps Naypidaw has taken to prove that it is indeed serious about democratic reform in that country. Last Friday, the military backed-Government granted amnesty to 651 inmates, at least half of whom were prisoners of conscience, including several high-profile dissident journalists, social activists, former intelligence personnel, leaders of ethnic minority groups and even a former Prime Minister who had been placed under house arrest after suggesting a “road map to democracy” in 2004. With this, reports suggest that more than a thousand political prisoners have been released since the new President assumed power less than a year ago. The time to gladly admit that the regime is committed to its ambitious reform agenda is here and now. Of course, a glimpse of this was first noted in President Thein Sein’s inaugural speech in March 2011. But it was written off at that time as empty talk. It was also said that the new regime was demonstrating such ‘openness’ merely to win over support from the West. Since then, however, Mr Thein Sein has repeatedly surprised his critics by initiating sweeping economic and political reforms. His administration’s offer to pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this month of an official position in the Government if she wins the upcoming by-poll in April has helped strengthen the perception that Mr Thein Sein is indeed serious about reforms.
The most significant public acknowledgment of this change has come from the United States, which has agreed to restore full diplomatic ties with Burma. After the junta overruled Ms Suu Kyi’s 1990 electoral victory, the US had downgraded its relations with Burma and recalled its Ambassador. On Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — who was in the country only six weeks ago with her visit marking a significant thaw in relations — reversed that decision and announced that an Ambassador would soon be sent to Naypidaw. This must be viewed in the context of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy thrust that now focuses more on the East in a bid to contain China’s growing influence in the region. Naypidaw is struggling to get out of Beijing’s grip — in September, the Burmese Government stopped work on an unpopular $3.6 billion dam being constructed by a Chinese company on Irrawaddy. It has the potential to become a key component of the network of regional allies that the US is seeking to build in the region. It is only a matter of time before the US lifts its economic sanctions on Burma and allows the long-isolated country to reintegrate into the global economy. India must not wait till then — it must reach out to Burma now.
