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UNSC’s Second Discussion without Actions

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari briefed the Council on 31 May 2006 on his visit to Myanmar as predicted in our 26 May 2006 Update.

Gambari’s main message at the briefing was that while the UN Secretariat is disappointed that his visit had not lead to Suu Kyi’s release, the UN should press ahead and not give up. He also stressed that democratisation and national reconciliation is a process and not an event. He said that the support of the Council was important in helping the Secretariat carry out the good offices of the Secretary-General and that the UN should continue to work with interested member states and partners like ASEAN to continue to push for Suu Kyi’s release.

After the briefing which took place under “Other Matters” all the European countries, the US, Russia, China, Japan and Ghana made statements. The Council did not take any immediate action. However, the US proposed a draft resolution on which it has began bilateral consultation and which it is expected to circulate shortly. The details of the resolution are not known but it is expected to call for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release and an inclusive and democratic political process. Other areas that it may cover are release of all political prisoners and humanitarian access.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING WELCOME, BUT NOT ENOUGH

The Burma Campaign UK expressed disappointment in a statement on1st June 2006 that that the Security Council took no concrete action, and failed to give UN Secretary General Kofi Annan the mandate he had asked for.

It is a huge step forward that the Security Council is now the place where Burma is discussed, but we need action, not just more discussions,² said Yvette Mahon, Director of the Burma Campaign UK.

Time for World Nations To Hold the Burmese Generals Accountable

National Coalition Government of Union of Burma, the NCGUB, stated in a statement on May 29, 2006, that the military junta has decided to extend the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  The decision once again shows to the world the irrationality of the Burmese generals who have no regard for the wishes of the people of Burma or the opinion of world nations.

It also demonstrates to world leaders and responsible officials of the United Nations that these short-sighted Burmese generals are incapable of making sound judgment, hence, applying international norms against them or believing that these generals would react rationally to crisis situations will not work.

It has become more apparent from recent developments that the only language these Burmese generals can understand is the threat to their security and their plan to install a military dictatorship through their national convention and other steps of their roadmap.
For the sake of peacefully resolving the prevailing political and socioeconomic problems in Burma, it is imperative for the international community, particularly neighboring countries like China, ASEAN countries, and India, to work concertedly toward a solution that would bind the Burmese generals into complying with a plan for peaceful transition to democracy.

Since this can only be done through the United Nations Security Council, the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma calls on these neighboring countries and all world nations with goodwill to support the efforts toward initiating a peace process in Burma by placing the issue on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. 

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