By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – During a visit to Vietnam, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel said that Myanmar is going “downhill on all fronts.” Mr. Marciel is urging regional neighbors to pressure Myanmar’s military government for reform in all arenas.

Mr. Marciel said our emphasis should not solely be focused on human rights and democracy. The problem is beyond just that. “The economy is going downhill, the education system is getting ruined. The health care system isn’t functioning […with] more cases of resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria. You’ve got refugee flows out of Burma. It’s just a whole series of problems.”

The regime’s crackdown last September on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks has triggered tighter Western sanctions, mounting international criticism, and pressure on the government that is centered mainly on human rights and democratic reforms. The United Nations says at least 31 people were killed during the suppression and 74 people remain missing.

Urging all regional neighbors to push for change, Mr. Marciel said he had spoken to officials in Tokyo, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi, and plans to speak to officials in Bangkok and Vientiane soon. He added that the international community must keep up the pressure on Myanmar.

Mr. Marciel said that although the junta took a few steps forward early on, no progress has been made since the government allowed a UN mediator to visit after the September crackdown. In his opinion, there is no easy solution. Change in Myanmar is “not really going to happen and can’t really happen under this regime.” Myanmar must first address the problems and root causes that led to the protests and violence in September.

Furthermore, he suggested further talks with the opposition because “taking Aung San Suu Kyi away from house arrest once every two months for an hour meeting isn’t a dialogue.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Myanmar going ‘downhill on all fronts,’ says US – 21 January 2008

Voice of America – EU: UN Envoy Should Return to Burma to Seek Aung San Suu Kyi’s Freedom – 19 January 2008

AP – US Says More Pressure Needed on Myanmar – 21 January 2008