– Import figures you put forward, show that the development goes in the right direction. It is positive that import of teak is approaching zero now, because this is an area where the junta provides itself with substantial revenues. But we have a more liberal attitude toward the textile sector, says Husøy.

Double standarts
She emphasizes that there are no clear figures, but there are indications that the junta is not as directly involved in textiles and clothing, as in other sectors.

– With the sanctions to the textile sector there is a risk to cut jobs in Burma in a greater degree than the junta’s earnings. But here one should be careful, because the situation can change rapidly, emphasizes Husøy.

The Norwegian Burma Committee believes that the international sanctions policy is characterized by double standards.

Sanctions policy – weak and uncoordinated
– Today’s sanctions policy is weak and uncoordinated. Oil and gas should be on the sanctions list. In way to protect the interests of big oil companies like Total, the whole sector is behind sanctions. It would be much more important to stop the central revenue stream to the junta that comes from oil and gas than to limit the export of clothing, says Husøy.

It was expected that the United States – which is the driving force in the international sanctions, -would ease the sanctions against Burma. This has not happened. The United States is certainly in a dialogue with the junta, but it will not ease the sanctions before the junta has shown that they actually go in the right direction.

– The elections have to be held, but neither candidates nor election day has been announced. There are rumors that they may take place in October. There are no expectations that these elections are going to be democratic.

No democratic reforms
There is a debate today whether the sanctions are the right way to change the situation in Burma. What do you think about it?

– Aung San Suu Kyi has suggested that sanctions should be mapped and their impact discussed and assessed. Until now there is no change in sanctions policy toward Burma. It is important not to interfere with what is going on between the U.S., EU and Aung San Suu Kyi. So far, the junta has not shown any willingness to meet demands for democratic reforms, highlights the Husøy.

She points out that the discussion of sanctions comes up periodically.

– We had a big debate in 2003-2004. The sanctions have been increasingly tightened in line with the behavior of the regime. Suu Kyi, government in exile and a number of Burmese organizations in Burma and in exile support the importance of the sanctions policy. Junta itself is very engaged with the international sanctions, and we must remember that the sanctions in reality are the only bargaining card that Suu Kyi has, concludes Husøy.

Norwegian Burma Committee

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