The United States needs to move slowly and act with caution when it comes to normalising relations with the repressive regime of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Myanmar is not a normal state.
The sad reality is that while Myanmar's ruling generals have slipped on the mantle of democratic progress in the last five years, their leadership remains repressive, brutal and uncommitted to real reform. For decades, Myanmar's junta has been shunned by the international community. Now the nation is set to take over the chairmanship of the Asean community — a mistake that gives legitimacy to the generals.
And US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making overtures about visiting Myanmar. No. This should not happen. Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi might be free after years of house arrest, but all is not normal there. Her party is still basically banned from seeking office. Elections in the state 18 months ago were held without proper oversight, outside observations, and candidates had to be cleared first to run. In courting the generals of Myanmar, the US is acting too swiftly. Recent events in the Middle East, for example, show just how quickly the tide of political currents changes.
