On Myanmar, UN's Gambari Describes His Tourism-for-a-Cause, Are Killings and Protests a Threat?

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN: Flash analysis

UNITED NATIONS, October 5 -- With saffron-robe monks in the Security Council gallery, UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari on Friday morning read out a six-page statement on his visit to Myanmar.

Updates: 11:59 a.m. -- Singapore's representative, appearing "for ASEAN," argued that the way in which ASEAN's reputation is damaged by Myanmar's crackdown means that it is not just an internal matter. Security Council jurisdiction based on harm to a regional group's reputation? He expressed pique that Myanmar gave more access to Gambari than to ASEAN's previous envoy, calling it "a clear expression of Myanmar's preferences." He also said "we don't want a Yugoslavia" in Southeast Asia.

11:45 a.m. -- Myanmar's representative began by saying he was glad that Gambari met with the President of the General Assembly (thus arguing that jurisdiction is not with the Security Council, which alone could impose sanctions). He next announced that Singapore's representative's forthcoming comments will not be on behalf of ASEAN, that six ASEAN countries including Myanmar objected to the prepared statement's reference to sanctions....

11:00 a.m. -- After Gambari's speech, UK Ambassador John Sawers said that a "Presidential Statement" by the Council would be appropriate. China's Ambassador Wang reiterated his view that events in Myanmar pose "no threat" to international peace and security. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called, among other things, for the Internet to be restored "between Burma and the rest of the world," and mentioned, repeatedly, sanctions. The Ambassador of Panama regretted that the Council would not be hearing from Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour, who was present. This will be further updated.

  Gambari's was a strangely upbeat speech, praising Myanmar for demonstrating "greater openness and cooperation with the UN" over the past two years, and speaking of Myanmar moving "forward as one nation." On a question, posed by Inner City Press, that the UN dodged earlier in the week, Gambari acknowledged that he was "taken to a mass rally in Lashio, Northeastern Shan State, organized in support of the Government's National Convention and Seven-step political Roadmap."

            That even this portion of the meeting was open to the press had been in question until a Thursday afternoon Council meeting. Afterwards China's Ambassador told reporters he thought the meeting should be closed, and that China does not believe that the problems "down there" in Myanmar pose a threat to international peace and security, which is the test for inclusion on the Council's agenda. Beyond the missing monks and the refugee flows, one might ask if growing protests in capitals throughout the region and world don't begin to meet any credible reading of this standard.

Crackdown in Myanmar, per CNN: greater openness not shown

            Friday after Gambari's speech, UK Ambassador John Sawers said that a "Presidential Statement" by the Council would be appropriate. China's Ambassador Wang reiterated his view that events in Myanmar pose "no threat" to international peace and security. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called, among other things, for the Internet to be restored "between Burma and the rest of the world," and mentioned, repeatedly, sanctions. This will be updated -- above.

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Click here for a Reuters AlertNet piece by this correspondent about Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army. Click here for an earlier Reuters AlertNet piece about the Somali National Reconciliation Congress, and the UN's $200,000 contribution from an undefined trust fund.  Video Analysis here

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