How to save it

摘要

The West's policy on Myan-mar isn't working. It is now 17 years since the generals massacred demonstrators in their thousands, and 15 since they lost an election and promptly ignored the result. For much of that time, Aung San Suu Kyi, the heroic and inspiring leader of Myanmar's democracy movement, has enjoyed the dubious distinction of being the only Nobel laureate to be under arrest. Myanmar's "government" is among the world's most incompetent, its people among Asia's poorest, its record on human rights at the bottom of the pile. Sanctions, ostracism and tough talking have clearly all failed to make the slightest dent in the regime's behaviour. Miss Suu Kyi, who was beaten up in 2003, remains under house arrest. It is said that the top general, Than Shwe, cuts meetings short at the very mention of her name.