Myanmar: ASEAN

24.02.2021

Links/Documents:Bangkok Declaration; ASEAN; G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Burma

On Wednesday, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi, who heads the delegation of ASEAN foreign ministers with the intention of leading the way out of the Burmese crisis, met in Bangkok, the Burmese foreign minister, Wumma Maung Lwin, put in position after the coup, and Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai.

ASEAN is the Association of Nations of South East Asia, established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Subsequently, the Founding Fathers were joined by Brunei Darussalam, January 7, 1984, Viet Nam, July 28, 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar, July 23, 1997, Cambodia, April 30, 1999, thus becoming today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

I highly recommend reading the [Bangkok Declaration] and browsing the [ASEAN] site to get a more complete idea of this Association.

Considering myself European and having a certain idea about Europe, I consider myself very favorable to the existence of this Association, for the idea of cooperation I have, an idea that must be the basis of human life.

My being in favor does not mean that there are no doubts in me. Doubts due to some basic logical considerations that come to mind when I see what ASEAN is, that is an association of states in a part of somewhat complex world, where the influence of different powers (China, Russia, US, UK, EU) is very strong, just a small example, the colonial period is not a thing of the Middle Ages, it is still quite recent if not current. Furthermore, the vast cultural and religious variety and the differences in the types of government present, ranging from democracy to the people's republic, are other very sensitive points which, putting it all together, despite my being in favor of the association, leave some small and particular interest in being attentive to the various evolutions of things.

I made this small detour to ASEAN because, analyzing the Burmese situation, I believe it is important to be aware of the context in which Myanmar finds itself and it is important to have some knowledge of one of the parties that are interested in the solution of the Burmese case.

I am a mere spectator of this trend of things who, more than reasoning and reaching conclusions, cannot do. This is because I cannot know what people (because they are people who meet, not idols, it is always to be remembered) they say to each other when they meet, and I cannot be sure that what they said corresponds to reality or is complete. Not because I have conspiratorial visions, but because as mentioned before, people are the ones who are there, and around the world we have examples of many different types of people, so what we can expect is really varied.

I say this for what is my vision of Society, that is, of the State. A State is the sum of all the individuals who, by deciding to be part of a set of rules decided by individuals, form the State.

I strongly believe that power is, must be, has been and will always be of the People. What I think is different is the people's awareness of this power and the way in which the people exercise this power. I firmly believe that those who govern are aware that they are at the service of the People. A conscious, aware people has always frightened any ruler. I think the history is a perfect example. It is not for nothing that the various international organizations speak of the fact that it must be right that the fact of a return to the decisions that the People had taken before the coup. And it is not for nothing that the People who take to the streets are opposed with the use of weapons, that is, with the use of deterrent means because of their fear of the People. (This does not mean that people who protest are always right. What I am doing is a complex speech that unfortunately I am summarizing in an excessive way and I am realizing it. I hope with all my heart that is clear the intent of what I mean. Very soon in the section of the website '' Pensieri '' I will open a topic called '' On Society '' where I will begin to address the discourse on the Society. I think it is very important). Those who govern are few, those who decide are millions.

Clearly therefore is the concern of some Burmese movements that have expressed doubts that Indonesia, on behalf of ASEAN, is talking to the military. Because this raises doubts about a possible recognition of the current government. In addition to the fact that after the coup the military declared 1 year of emergency and then new elections will be organized. Still nothing is in the air regarding possible elections, which in theory should be invalid due to the fact that a political result had already been obtained previously.

There are so many things to see and evaluate, it's all very complex. For example, I have read that despite the closure of international flights by Myanmar, for some evening 5 flights depart and return from / to China. I think I have read that someone said it is seafood, but I would like to say, who believes it is seafood, when in recent years China has strongly increased its arms exports and the Burmese military has implemented cleaning policies ethnic in their territory and when in recent years China is in all the spotlight for cybercrime. Who can believe it is seafood. It's funny, but I can't prove one thing or the other. So it's seafood :)

A little ago news is: Myanmar's coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has again told publications that they will lose their publishing licenses for referring to the military ''regime'' or ''junta''.

The military chief said during the Monday meeting of the junta’s government body that it will regulate the media. He said: “Concerning the media, measures must be taken to regulate the press in accordance with press ethics through the Myanmar Press Council.”

This is not freedom.

However, Western states have begun to impose sanctions on the Burmese military. (G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Burma)

I conclude by saying that we only have to wait for the situation to evolve, but remembering that always and everywhere power is, must be, has always been and will always be of the People, and we must refer to this. Awareness is important.

ELNaNgiO