At the UN: Plenty of hot air on the climate but scarcely a mention of Darfur, Burma
Friday, October 2, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
UNITED NATIONS Ñ The ongoing humanitarian drama in SudanÕs Darfur region and the continuing political and human rights abuses in Burma appear to have been politely forgotten by most leaders addressing the UN General Assembly. During the recent debate questions of the global economy, climate change and nuclear proliferation dominated discussions amid a near cacophony of views. But the enduring human rights horrors in Darfur and Burma were barely even mentioned save for a few speakers, thus highlighting the stunning hypocrisy of most member states.
SudanÕs beleaguered Darfur region has faced famine, dislocation and the systematic targeting of its population by the central government. Over the past years attacks on black nomadic farmers by the Khartoum regime has led to a minimum of 300,000 killed and over two million refugees and displaced persons. Long running humanitarian efforts and a barely-effective UN peacekeeping mission may have stopped the worst of what many observers called genocide, but have not solved the problem.
Darfur, long the rallying point for much of the human rights community, a cause celebre for the political left, and an embarrassing UN crisis, has been swept under the rug. President Barack Obama despite a wide-ranging speech covering a plethora of issues, only politely intoned that in the wider support for UN peacekeeping, the USA Òwill pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur.Ó There was no specific mention of the humanitarian carnage, pledges of assistance, or a reference to SudanÕs Islamic leader who has been incited by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Interestingly SudanÕs delegate stated, ÒWe welcome the declaration by the American President Barack Obama before the UN General Assembly on his countryÕs readiness to find a solution to the question of Darfur. Noting the positive tone in the statements voiced by the American President vis-a-vis the developing countries in general, we hope that his words will be translated into actions in order to correct the misguided policies of the previous American administration which compromised bilateral relations and aggravated the regionÕs problems.Ó
WhatÕs conveniently forgotten was that during the worst of the crisis, that Òprevious American Administration,Ó provided massive humanitarian assistance to Darfur.
To his credit BritainÕs Prime Minister Gordon Brown poignantly stated; ÒWe must unite against every source of terror and injustice in our world. It shames us all; that the people of Somalia and Sudan are still subject to the most terrible violence.Ó Equally IrelandÕs Foreign Minister Peter Power stated unequivocally, ÒThe continuing humanitarian tragedy of Darfur horrifies world opinion and cannot be ignored.Ó
Turning to Burma or Myanmar as the ruling military junta renames it, the debate gained little public traction. While President Obama did not even offer a passing mention of BurmaÕs political plight, as did some other speakers, the reasons here are more complex. The Obama Administration has tested the political waters for negotiations with BurmaÕs military rulers; such discussions via the ÒFriends of BurmaÓ and other such venues, are exploring ways to engage MyanmarÕs military rulers while at the same time pressing for democracy inside the vast Southeast Asian tyranny.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed, ÒWe will work hard for freedom and democracy in MyanmarÉwe call on MyanmarÕs friends and neighbors to do more, much more in the best interests of Myanmar and its people.Ó Given BanÕs embarrassing diplomatic foray to Burma in July, his plaintive words to the Assembly seemed self-conscious.
As for Washington; ÒWe intend to begin a direct dialogue with Burmese authorities to lay out a path towards better relations,Ó stated U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell at the UN. The Administration believes that the U.S. needs to change its methods but not its goals concerning Burma; in other words, continued pressure for democratic change but not lifting economic sanctions anytime soon.
General Thein Sein, MyanmarÕs Prime Minister addressed the Assembly calling sanctions against his country a Òform of violence.Ó He stressed that Òsanctions are being employed as a political tool against Myanmar and we consider them unjust.Ó The Prime Minister forgets to mention that the left-wing military juntaÕs heavy-handed rule, its rigged elections and its continuing house arrest of pro-democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi remains the reason for the continuing economic sanctions.
Ironically the sanctions make Myanmar more dependent on Mainland China, its longtime political and military patron.
Thein Sein was the highest ranking Burmese leader to address the UN in over a decade and this in itself points to some serious behind the scenes deliberations in New York.
Though BurmaÕs military rulers are not on the cusp of breaking their self-inflicted isolation, the U.S. AdministrationÕs dialogue will offer diplomatic legitimacy to a regime which deserves none.