Myanmar Position Paper
Class: IS306 Created Time: May 23, 2021 3:18 PM Database: Assignment Database Last Edited Time: June 11, 2021 11:20 AM Status: Done
Group # Members:
Position Research
- US doesn’t recognize sovereignty of Myanmar’s military rule and continue to call it Burma
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the security forces of a “reign of terror”.
- The US, UK and European Union have all responded with sanctions on military officials.
- US blocked some UN’s action to deal with Myanmar?
- No one is willing to outright condemn or conflict with any significant party
- Wants everyone’s support in going against China
- Intervening Myanmar would be going against ASEAN (potential support)
- US still need to deal with it’s COVID crisis, so don’t want to create another conflict by bringing it’s troops into Myanmar
- Trump admin: with western’s goal to destroy image of China
- Hacker, Spyware
- Abuse of human rights
- Starter of COVID-19
Self-Note
Be realistic about your country’s actions
Shallow actions have deeper meanings
- ineffective sanctions are just to save face
If Russia veto something China also wants to veto first, then China doesn’t need to show it’s true position
Beware of media warfare
- No media is neutral
- Issue concerning country of publisher will be biased in coverage
- Look at multiple news sites from multiple parties involved
Play it safe, pick less polarizing resolutions
Research for Tatmadaw and Rohingya Crisis
Background
Myanmar coup latest: Junta seeks democracy ‘within a year’
The country of Burma, through its troublesome journey to democracy, has faced yet another challenge during recent years. An election was held late 2020 resulting in the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory. However, the military junta, officially named ‘Tatmadaw’, pronounced the election invalid without proof and conducted a coup on February 1 . Not only were the legitimately elected politicians barred from power but they were also unjustly imprisoned. A one year long state-of-emergency was established and the military promise an election once it is over. With that, protests erupted against the military’s actions resulting in hundreds killed and thousands more injured due to harsh crackdowns from the military. Alongside this, the long standing civil conflict between ethnic minorities militias and the Tatmadaw continues while violent protest against the coup added to this flame. Burma has been on the decline economically as well, as distrust in the government depreciates its currency while foreign investors withdraw their businesses.
The United States of America seek for the troublesome conflicts in the country to stop, for stability to take place, and the civil unrest to be addressed. With the help from the United Nations and its associated organizations to provide both humanitarian aid as well as guidance in managing the situation within the country of Burma.