AIDING BURMA


Source : Donald M. Seekins, Far Eastern Economic Review (May 21)

Japan's decision to grant $28 million to repair a hydroelectric plant sends a message to Burma that it need not make any meaningful concessions to Aung San Suu Kyi in the ongoing dialogue to get carrots from abroad [Something for Nothing, May 10].

This is a pity, since it seems that desperate economic conditions drove the junta to take a softer line when it started talks with Suu Kyi. Japan's grant marks the victory of entrenched Japanese business interests, and is likely to contribute to the ultimate failure of the talks.