CIAO DATE: 10/5/2007
May 2007
Burma is an important but poorly understood country. It continues to fascinate because of its unique history and culture, but decades of military misrule have left the country impoverished. For the past fifteen years, a genuine democracy movement has been alive in Burma, and the world has watched while the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has struggled against the military junta for recognition, influence, and a share of power.
Bordering on major powers such as China and India, and with a population of 50 million, abundant natural resources, and the second largest landmass in East Asia, Burma has the potential to be a viable economy and eventually a healthy democracy. But for these things to happen, Burma must emerge from four decades of repressive rule. This Council-sponsored Independent Task Force recommends ways the United States may be able to help Burma do so.
Last year, Mathea Falco, who had first visited Burma in 1977 as assistant secretary of state for international narcotics matters, approached me about creating an Independent Task Force on Burma. I recognized that this was a particularly opportune time for us to support such an effort. In May 2002, the regime had released Aung San Suu Kyi from eighteen months of house arrest. During this period, regime officials had secret talks with her and her colleagues facilitated by a United Nations special envoy.The regime also released several hundred political prisoners. This raised hopes that the two sides would move to substantive political dialogue leading to agreement on transition to democratic government. Optimism faded, however, as talks did not resume and human rights abuses continued. In this context, the Task Force undertook its review of U.S. policy toward Burma.
The bipartisan Task Force, chaired by Mathea Falco, reflects a wide range of perspectives. Members were drawn from international business, law, media, academia, public health, and human rights advocacy groups, among other areas.We were particularly fortunate to have on the Task Force four members of Congress with a deep interest in Burma: Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA).
As you will see, the Task Force carefully considered present conditions in Burma and has come up with a series of specific recommendations for U.S. policy in four areas: humanitarian assistance to address Burma’s health crisis; promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; narcotics control policy; and refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons. These recommendations are intended to inform U.S. government actions as well as to increase U.S. cooperation with other countries, especially in Asia, to bring about a long overdue political, economic, and social transformation of Burma.
My great thanks go to Mathea Falco for her time and effort as the chair and to all of the members of this Task Force for developing a report that will be a significant contribution to U.S. policymaking on Burma.
Leslie H. Gelb
President
Council on Foreign Relations
June 2003