For many decades, Myanmar was on the receiving end of very public diplomatic scoldings, often backed up by sanctions.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
For many years, Myanmar's leadership was largely shut out from the world of international diplomacy.
I don't want Burma to be a basket case forever.
The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want for ourselves.
I've been repeating ad nauseam that we in Burma, we are weak with regard to the culture of negotiated compromises, that we have to develop the ability to achieve such compromises.
Sanctions historically are quite counterproductive in the sense that if you impose sanctions on your enemy, it tends to strengthen your enemy.
I urge North Korea's leaders to reflect on Burma's experience. While the work of reform is ongoing, Burma has already broken out of isolation and opened the door to a far better future for its people.
With the right kind of institutions, starting with the rule of law, Burma could progress very quickly.
The only thing about sanctions is that, like a lot of drone strikes, there are countless unintended victims. Cutting off aid to Uganda only increases the pain there.
Sanctions are a sign of irritation; they are not the instrument of serious policies.
Be careful about Burma. Most people cannot remember whether it was Siam and has become Thailand, or whether it is now part of Malaysia and should be called Sri Lanka.