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Updated Saturday, October 3, 2009 12:33 am TWN, By John J. Metzler, United Nations correspondent

Tragedies barely mentioned at U.N.

Turning to Burma or Myanmar as the ruling military junta renamed it, the debate gained little public traction. While President Obama did not even offer a passing mention of Burma's political plight, as did some other speakers, the reasons here are more complex. The Obama Administration has tested the political waters for negotiations with Burma's military rulers; such discussions via the “Friends of Burma” and other such venues, are exploring ways to engage Myanmar's military rulers while at the same time pressing for democracy inside the vast Southeast Asian tyranny.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed, “We will work hard for freedom and democracy in Myanmar — we call on Myanmar's friends and neighbors to do more, much more in the best interests of Myanmar and its people.” Given Ban's embarrassing diplomatic foray to Burma in June, his plaintive words to the Assembly seemed self-conscious.

As for Washington; “We intend to begin a direct dialogue with Burmese authorities to lay out a path towards better relations,” stated U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Public Affairs Kurt Campbell at the U.N. The Administration believes that the U.S. needs to change its methods but not its goals concerning Burma; in other words, continued pressure for democratic change but not, lifting economic sanctions anytime soon.

General Thein Sein, Myanmar's Prime Minister addressed the Assembly calling sanctions against his country a “form of violence.” He stressed that “sanctions are being employed as a political tool against Myanmar and we consider them unjust.” The Prime Minister forgets to mention that the left-wing military junta's heavy-handed rule, its rigged elections and its continuing house arrest of pro-democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Su Ky remains the reason for the continuing economic sanctions.

　　Ironically the sanctions make Myanmar more dependent on mainland China, its longtime political and military patron.

Thein Sein was the highest ranking Burmese leader to address the U.N. in over a decade and this in itself points to some serious behind the scenes deliberations in New York.

Though Burma's military rulers are not on the cusp of breaking their self-inflicted isolation, the U.S. Administration's dialogue will offer diplomatic legitimacy to a regime which deserves none.

John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues.

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