Officials and observers are optimistic for the first as chair of Burma

 Washington - Burma or Myanmar will chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) from January 2014 For the first time in the history of this country . To chair ASEAN occur after recent political reforms this past And the removal of economic sanctions by the international community . Burmese officials and Western officials now find Burma could play a bigger role in Southeast Asia .
The official agreed of Burma at the transfer office chair in Brunei in October ago this A similitude of the event appeared stronger country in the region and internationally . Near the beginning of the President Both government officials and observers are optimistic that Myanmar will chair ASEAN for the first successful While there will be some challenges .
Ko Ko Hlaing , a senior political adviser of President Thein Sein of Myanmar , Told VOA forum outside of a conference at the American University in Washington University in December The chair provided on the Burmese government to recognize the legitimacy of the international community . Many , Burma was considered a state in international law .
Advisor , said : « This is the first time we make a chair in our history . It is very important for the government and people of Myanmar . We can show leadership in the area And show that ASEAN member we have a responsibility . '
Burma joined ASEAN in 1997 With Laos And in a year before the country joined ASEAN . But Myanmar 's isolation in the international arena and reputation as ASEAN 's problems prevented this from being a chairman of ASEAN in 2006 . Laos and Cambodia had already a chair . But the head of the 2nd ASEAN in 2012 Initially with optimism Instead be remembered as important to that disagreements about the South China Sea dispute Because the country has close relations with China And can not control the political tensions between China and some ASEAN members . Brunei , who is the chair of ASEAN in 2012 Be considered that led to some ASEAN agreed .
Brunei differ from But as Cambodia Burma is not a party in the South China Sea dispute . But Ko Ko Hlaing said that differs from Burma 's largest And economic dependence on China , less than the country . Conversely , China has a stronger dependence on Burma 's strategic position . although Myanmar has close relations with the superpower , This relationship is not a relationship between master and slave . Said that the Burmese government will avoid events disagreement ASEAN occur in Phnom Penh in 2012 .
So we can take the situation of a close relationship with China To be useful for the region . '
But probably not a major factor in international affairs As examples from a variety of Cambodia and Brunei in a chair recently .
While the Burmese political independence Also play an important role in areas not easy when there is greater competition geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States . According to the words of Mrs. Christina Fink professor of international development studies at the University of George Washington University in Washington And monitor the work of many Burmese . Despite Burma prepare Also increased tension in the region can be a concern .
She explained: « Myanmar as its next space influence the major political powers And it can be difficult for Myanmar as a guide to managing and resolving these conflicts in the framework of the meeting ASEAN and the organization 's statement .
Within a few months before Burma or Myanmar To chair ASEAN Tensions rise between China and Japan on air defense domain on the East China Sea Which was announced by China . Analysts are concerned that Tension will spread to the South China Sea , Where a conflict between China and the Philippines and Vietnam , the ASEAN members .
In Summit Lionel anniversary ASEAN Japan In Tokyo last week , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged more loans to support mobilization the leader of the Southeast Asian countries . This effort has taken place after diplomatic strategy as lightning Abe 's full - year period to improve relations with ASEAN . Diplomatic strategy has been completed by a visit Last November 's Abe to Cambodia and Laos Which is considered as the ASEAN countries , China 's ally . Recent maritime disputes also cover his visit , U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Asia in recent times .
Mr. Scott Marciel Senior Deputy Assistant of the U.S. Department of State for East Asian Affairs and Pacific , Told VOA forum outside of a conference in Washington Without saying that What the United States is concerned about the emergence of a new of disagreements between ASEAN members . But he said U.S. sees « ASEAN a strong and unified that is important for the region .
Marciel said : ' We always want to see ASEAN to work together And we hope that , in the direction of Myanmar This will happen . '
Marciel said the United States will not put its agenda on ASEAN And Americans are generally satisfied with the reforms in Burma has so far . Mr. Ko Ko Hlaing political advisor agree the perception that political reform in Burma walked faster reform in Cambodia . added Burma hopes will become a model country in the world transition to a democratic regime .
Actually Some analysts have suggested that Because there are special situations Burma is in a special condition Which can help promote democratic process back to an important issue in the agenda of the ASEAN meeting .
But human rights groups say Burma 's transition process , there are still gaps in By various human rights violations Such as violence against the political opposition Some minority and Muslims .
Mrs. Christina Fink said that in terms of the long road that Burma has gone through waiting for political reform today They should Burma appreciated . But she says Burma self As well as the international community Should not have the expected excess About what can be achieved in this first ASEAN chair Looking at the actual situation of the political geography and lack of Burma .
I think for a chair for the first time this Burma should not aspire to achieve something that will transform ASEAN . I think what is important is Myanmar , ASEAN should maintain stable and plan to be agreed between the ASEAN countries . And if it decided not They should be proud . '
She said If Burma can keep pace Brunei chair ASEAN in achieving that It is the work already achieved good And political in Burma to this goal is not lacking .