It may be that the junta, alarmed by Ms Suu Kyi's popular speaking tours reminiscent of her victorious campaign in the stolen 1990 election, would be content to see the dialogue founder, calculating that the international community will do little by way of punishment. That is why the energetic, behind-the-scenes lobbying of the Bush administration is so important. US diplomats have reportedly delivered tough "requests" to 11 regional countries to exert pressure on the junta. George Bush, urged on by Congress, was also expected to discuss additional measures with the visiting Thai prime minister yesterday. Thailand has significant business and trade links with Burma and, like Japan, is reluctant to act tough.
While Britain, France and the EU have all condemned recent events, this roundabout US approach stems from the sensible hope that Asian states will resolve an Asian problem without deeper western intervention that might become highly objectionable to them. That is not to say that the EU should merely look on helplessly. Unless there is a rapid improvement, Britain must push for the immediate levying of targeted EU investment sanctions, like those of the US, as campaigners and MEPs urge. Companies still defiantly operating in Burma, such as British American Tobacco, must be told to wind down and pull out.
