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Editorial

Myanmar’s Fragile Democracy

Published: September 21, 2012

   Now that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s revered opposition leader,
   [34]has given the go-ahead, the United States should further ease
   sanctions against that country, which is beginning to embrace
   democracy. Sanctions are intended to encourage positive change and will
   have value only if affected governments trust that the penalties will
   be lifted as they make progress.

Related News

     * [35]Myanmar’s Opposition Leader Urges End to Sanctions (September
       19, 2012)
     * [36]Myanmar Releases Hundreds of Prisoners (September 18, 2012)

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   editor, Andrew Rosenthal, follow [38]@andyrNYT.

   During [39]her visit to Washington this week — the first since she was
   freed from 15 years of house arrest — Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi did not
   specify what sanctions should be eased. But among the sanctions now in
   place is a ban on virtually all Myanmar imports to the United States.

   Myanmar’s democratic progress has been substantial. Since taking office
   last year, President U Thein Sein has pushed aside officials who don’t
   support reforms and allowed Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and her party to run
   for Parliament. He has [40]freed hundreds of political prisoners and
   begun to carry out economic and political reforms, including a new law
   relaxing press censorship.

   Still, there is reason to be on guard against backsliding toward
   authoritarianism. Mr. Thein Sein and his national security council have
   too much power, including authority to declare a state of emergency at
   any time. There is a need for land reform, a professional military
   under civilian control and an end to human rights abuses.

   Mr. Thein Sein, who is scheduled to attend the United Nations General
   Assembly next week, deserves recognition for what has been achieved
   since 2011. For that, the Obama administration has already relaxed some
   sanctions, allowing American companies to invest in many parts of the
   Myanmar economy. On Wednesday, it removed him and another official from
   a list of sanctioned individuals, thus allowing Americans to do
   business with them and giving them access to once-blocked assets. The
   administration should also consider supporting aid to Myanmar through
   international institutions and lifting the import ban.

   American and international businesses will have important roles to
   play, too. When they invest in Myanmar, they could adopt stringent
   rules against the use of forced labor and other human rights abuses, as
   Amnesty International has recommended. Despite huge challenges,
   Myanmar, in significant ways, is a model of effective collaboration on
   the path to democracy — between Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Thein Sein
   and, in the United States, between Republicans and Democrats. Through
   the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations, top officials and
   lawmakers supported sanctions and Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, and, when they
   saw an opening in 2011, agreed to engage with Myanmar on a step-by-step
   basis. That’s worth noting in this era of dysfunctional politics.

A version of this editorial appeared in print on September 22, 2012, on page
A22 of the New York edition with the headline: Myanmar’s Fragile Democracy.

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