UN, Gambari offer only new way forward for Myanmar: S'pore UN rep
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 October 2007 2125 hrs

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	Special Report • Myanmar in Turmoil

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Vanu Gopala Menon, has listed four realities that must be acknowledged in the Myanmar situation.

Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York on Friday, he said the UN's efforts, as embodied by Mr Ibrahim Gambari, are unique and irreplaceable and that Mr Gambari represents the best hope and is also the only game in town.

He said Mr Gambari is an experienced and gifted diplomat who seems to have gained the trust of both sides.

Secondly, Mr Menon said, one should avoid falling into the trap of over-simplification.

As the Myanmar situation is complicated, it would be premature to pigeon-hole Mr Gambari's visit as a "success" or "failure".

What's important is that he has succeeded in starting a process that can bring change to Myanmar, but it's a long and arduous one.

Thirdly, Mr Menon said, one has to be pragmatic.

It would be a mistake to think that if the State Peace and Development Council (Myanmar's military government) left the scene tomorrow, all would suddenly be well and all problems automatically resolved.

He said any peaceful solution must involve all parties, including the military.

And if the process is mishandled, it could result in greater instability and more suffering for the Myanmar people.

There has also been talk of additional sanctions against Myanmar.

But Mr Menon said that while his delegation could understand the impulse to punish unacceptable behaviour, one should also consider the real impact of additional sanctions and that all such actions should have only one objective - to strengthen Mr Gambari's hand as an effective mediator.

Lastly, he said, ASEAN will take a responsible position as Myanmar is part of the ASEAN family.

However, he acknowledged ASEAN's influence is limited, as demonstrated by the Myanmar authorities' refusal to seriously engage the ASEAN envoy last year.

He added ASEAN is not Myanmar's only neighbour.

China and India are two large countries with a long history of engagement with Myanmar.

He commended China for its quiet efforts, which he believed were instrumental in securing a substantive and useful visit for Mr Gambari, and he hoped that India would play a similar role.

Japan also has a role to play because it is a major aid donor to Myanmar.

In the end, he said, the international community as a whole must do its part.

But because of the size and complexity of the undertaking, the good offices of the UN and Mr Gambari offer the only new way forward, said Mr Menon. - CNA/ir