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Retno’s Myanmar diplomacy
ASEAN’s diplomacy in Myanmar will keep the region from becoming an arena of outsiders exerting power and influence at the expense of ASEAN peace and stability.
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iven that both the military and the people of Myanmar have expressed their distrust of Indonesia’s diplomatic efforts to help the nation emerge from its current political crisis, should we give up and let them fix their problem alone? The answer is a definite no. The military takeover in Myanmar is not just a domestic affair, as its repercussions affect other members of ASEAN.
International media outlets have given the impression that Indonesia failed even before it began its mission to Myanmar. It is premature to jump to such conclusions, as diplomacy is not about finding short-cut solutions. No matter how pessimistic the outside world is about our endeavor, therefore, we should go ahead.
This is not the first time Indonesia had mediated conflicts in the region. In the 1980s and early 1990s, then-foreign minister Ali Alatas brokered dialogues to end the civil war in Cambodia and some other regional conflicts. History shows Ali’s diplomatic missions worked well.
The coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and the military’s refusal to accept the 80 percent share of the vote her National League of Democracy party won in last November’s elections is unacceptable. But in order to find a solution, a mediator has to talk with both sides.
The problem with Suu Kyi is her lack of interest in dealing with ASEAN neighbors, apparently because she felt ASEAN did not care about the years of detention she endured under the military junta. Later on, in a bid to consolidate power, she opted to compromise with the military, including regarding its genocidal acts against the Muslim Rohingya minority in the country, which is of great concern to Indonesia.
Protesters shouted “Indonesia, don’t support dictators”, and “Return our elected government,” in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on Feb. 24, expressing their suspicion of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi’s plan to meet junta leader Min Aung Hlain in Yangon. The anger was fueled by rumors that Indonesia had accepted the junta’s promise to hold a new election.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin have agreed to hold an ASEAN special meeting to discuss the coup in Myanmar. The two leaders know that condemnation and bluffs will not change anything and could even backfire on efforts to bring peace back to Myanmar. The two leaders also understand it is never easy to reach a unified ASEAN stance on Myanmar.
Economic sanctions will not be effective either, as Gen. Aung Hlain can easily go to other countries such as China and Russia. He would, however, worry if his personal wealth were frozen or if the International Court of Justice charged him with mass killings of Rohingyas.
For better or worse, Retno must do what it takes to end the Myanmar conundrum. Resistance to her efforts is just the early stage of a long course. One thing is sure; neighbors must come to help before others do.
ASEAN’s diplomacy in Myanmar will keep the region from becoming an arena of outsiders exerting power and influence at the expense of ASEAN peace and stability. Our neighbor’s problem is our problem too.
