Aung San Suu Kyi could call for lifting of Burma sanctions

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Aung San Suu Kyi's readiness to consider calling for the lifting of sanctions on Burma is likely to force western governments to reconsider the measures, which have been widely criticised as uncoordinated, poorly targeted and ineffective.

But analysts, campaigners and diplomats said today that while the pro-democracy leader's moral authority meant she would be closely listened to, it would take time and argument – and more improvements on the ground – to change long-standing policies.

"Blanket sanctions which could impact ordinary people have never been supported by Aung San Suu Kyi and her party," Mark Farmarner, of the Burma Campaign UK, said. "Governments will follow her lead, but they won't do anything until she decides after consulting her own people – and that will be a long process."

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Ten days ago, her National League for Democracy said it was ending support for a 15-year tourism boycott — opposed by many anti-regime Burmese because it hits taxi drivers, guest house owners and souvenir sellers more than yjr regime loyalists who run the airline and big hotels. "Su Kyi has heard enough to understand that the sanctions are targeting the wrong people," Derek Tonkin, the chairman of Network Myanmar and a former UK ambassador to Rangoon, said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/14/aung-san-suu-kyi-burma-sanctions