Washington, July 23: The United States said on Thursday it was pleased by Myanmar’s willingness to carry out U.N. sanctions on North Korea but said better ties hinged on its treatment of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the comments at an Asia-Pacific security forum where she harshly criticised both North Korea and Myanmar but held out the possibility of better U.S. ties if they changed their policies.
The United States wants North Korea to abandon its nuclear programmes and Myanmar’s military-led government to free Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and move toward democracy.
Despite saying this week she was worried about possible nuclear transfers from North Korea to Myanmar, Clinton praised the Myanmar junta for moving to enforce a U.N. Security Council resolution against Pyongyang after its May 25 nuclear test.
“We are gratified by Burma’s willingness to enforce the Security Council resolution to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions,” Clinton said in remarks at the ASEAN Regional Forum security gathering on the Thai resort island of Phuket.
“This is an important step in playing a more constructive role in regional affairs,” she added.
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, passed after North Korea’s May 25 nuclear test, bans all North Korean arms exports, authorises member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo and requires them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.
Talk of Myanmar-North Korea military ties was fuelled after a North Korean ship, tracked by the United States in June and July on suspicion of carrying banned arms, appeared headed toward Myanmar before turning around.
But Clinton, who on Wednesday said she was worried about possible transfers of nuclear technology from North Korea to Myanmar, said the United States was determined to prevent any military cooperation between the two nations in the future.
She also said a better relationship with the United States was partly dependent on the fate of Suu Kyi and domestic political conditions inside Myanmar.
“We’ve been clear about the other essential steps: respect the rights of their people, release Aung San Suu Kyi, and hold open and credible elections next year,” she said.
Clinton said if Suu Kyi were released “that would open up opportunities at least for my country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma”.
U.S. officials made a similar case in a meeting with Myanmar officials on Wednesday, a senior U.S. official said, telling them that “the outcome of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi would affect our willingness and ability to take positive steps in our bilateral relationship”.
On May 15, U.S. President Barack Obama extended for one year a ban on U.S. investment in Myanmar first imposed in 1997 because of the authorities’ repression of the opposition.
—-Agencies