If we believe "Punishment is to improve", to change the behavior of regime, it is needed not only to talk, but to reward and recognize its progress. It will lubricate its road map to roll forwards. Even the bad kid loves sweet words. But, these words are rarely heard in global community. Always, blame after blame.
Fortunately, Japan and UK resumed humanitarian aid to Myanmar. EU's view on Myanmar turned to pragmatic. EU you started to listen voices of Myanmar neighbors. Soon, Carrot-and-Stick Approach may be practically realized. We hope so.
Sanctions, on many aspects, make burden on common people and drag development in Myanmar. Sanctions bring poverty, diseases and brain drain. Skyrocketing fuel prices is the partial cause of September demonstration in Myanmar, but the primary is that common people face difficulties on living. Economic, health and education systems can not run effectively in Myanmar, and sanctions worsen them.
"'Not only will they not work, but they will be counterproductive, noting that the only place where sanctions worked was in South Africa because the people supported the action and even there it took 10 years for the government to change", said Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
If urging reform is intended for Myanmar peoples' sake, please, let them have break to breathe during reform is in progress, by providing humanitarian and development aid. Let them savor the taste of Democracy in advance. Then, they will surely chase to Democracy with the growth of middle class.
Many problems will be solved gradually without much effort. Simultaneously political process for reform is being carried out. Speedy! It is time to turn strategic move from "Sanctions for reform "to "Aid for reform ". A stone to shoot two birds: welfare of people and reform!
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