In Kachin crisis, economic interests stronger than peace, says Burmese activist
Yangon (AsiaNews) - The fighting between Myanmar forces and rebels in the northern state of Kachin, is "directly and indirectly" related to the interests of Myanmar's neighbours and world powers. For most Burmese, this is profoundly dreadful because it involves nations that "backed the country's old ruling junta at the international level" and are now "good friends with the new government," said Tint Swe, president of the Burma Centre in Delhi (BCD). Speaking to AsiaNews, the former member of Burma's parliament-in-exile (located in India where he lives) for the National League for Democracy (NLD) noted that "outside involvement" complicates the peace process, whereas the civilian population wants "real friends" to work "for peace in Kachin state".
The top NLD official fled Myanmar in 1990 after the military junta refused to acknowledge the results of parliamentary elections won by the NLD. In the current crisis, the so-called pro-reform government of President Thein Sein has not come under any "diplomatic pressures", except for the US, which criticised air strikes and land operations against ethnic Kachin rebels and civilians that caused various deaths, including some teenage boys, and displaced tens of thousands.
The crisis is not being fought in the battlefield alone, especially when it comes to main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Some Burmese have criticised her for not taking a stance on the fighting, but for Tint Swe, her decision makes sense because she has said from the start that she might play a role in solving the problem. Kachin rebels are open to the idea, but the government has so far been silent.
By focusing only on her latest statements, international media have given her position a very superficial reading. In fact, "Doubts about her are only expressed outside the country," the activist said, "when in fact she is ready to intervene at the right time."
In order to understand what is behind the fighting, Burma experts have turned their attention to Beijing. China is moving behind the scene to protect its interest in a country that has been progressively opening up in recent months to the West, especially the United States.
"Although there is no evidence that China is directly involved in the fighting, everyone can see Beijing's interests in Myanmar, especially in Kachin state," the exiled NLD leader explained.
"China does carry a huge weight in the country and has an influence on this tragic internal war. Beijing is present, not so much in supplying weapons, which come primarily from Russia, India and Myanmar's other regional friends, but in trade and economic activity, especially minerals and precious stones."
Indeed, despite the war, lorries continue to travel across the China-Myanmar border in both directions, day and night.
For Beijing, Kachin state is the linchpin for its trade with Myanmar. Neither the government nor Kachin rebels can stop this flow of riches, including rare wood, towards mainland China.
Ultimately, from a domestic perspective, the problem that must be settled is how centre and periphery, Burmese majority and ethnic minorities, hard-line military and pro-reform movements will deal with one another.
meanwhile, parliament in the capital of Naypyidaw has not brought about any major change to the country's life.
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