On Monday, 19 November 2012, Obama made a historic, first-ever for a serving U.S. president, visit to Myanmar where he praised the country's move towards democracy and promised more US investment. He even chose to use the name Myanmar, which is diplomatically controversial to the US who officially does not recognize the former military government's name change from Burma. From the tone of Obama's speech at Myanmar's University of Yangon, which was full of references to human rights and freedom, and the need to "live together in peace" and "the right of all people to live free from fear", some might expect that things will improve for the Muslim Rohingyas, who endure expulsion from their homes and murder in Myanmar. Indeed, Obama did make explicit mention of the Rohingya: "And the Rohingya hold themselves - hold within themselves the same dignity as you do, and I do" and perhaps he had them in mind when he said: "There are refugees and displaced peoples in camps where hope is still something that lies on the distant horizon." He continued, in the next paragraph, saying: "the United States of America is with you, including those who have been forgotten, those who are dispossessed, those who are ostracized, those who are poor."

The question therefore arises, if Obama was so full of praise for the changes in President Thein Sein's government of Myanmar that led to this historic visit, and that of Hillary Clinton in December 2011, and the relaxing of sanctions on Myanmar, then how is it that there are people in Myanmar for whom, "hope is still something that lies on the distant horizon" nearly a whole year after Clinton's first visit. These hopeless people are the Muslims, who were stripped of citizenship and property rights in 1982 and have endured savage oppression that has led to thousands killed and 100,000 homeless. Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch has blamed the government for human rights abuses: "Burmese security forces failed to protect the Arakan and Rohingya from each other and then unleashed a campaign of violence and mass roundups against the Rohingya." Human Rights Watch has also said: "The government claims it is committed to ending ethnic strife and abuse, but recent events in Arakan State demonstrate that state-sponsored persecution and discrimination persist."

Whatever it was then, that greatly pleased Obama? It wasn't any improvement in the condition of the Muslims in Myanmar. They did not receive any human rights, they did not attain citizenship and barely any recognition of their existence, only death and expulsion. Therefore, in order to understand what did change and what Obama is really talking about, we should ignore the text of his fawning speech and look for ourselves at the most significant changes taking place on the ground in Myanmar.

If Obama's visit was historic then Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola preceded him in making history. After a break of six decades, America's relaxing of trade sanctions allowed Coca Cola to start shipping its carbonated drinks into Myanmar. Coca Cola plans to invest $100 million over the next 3 years and PepsiCo. announced last month that they will follow Coca Cola into this virgin marketplace. MasterCard and Visa have also made deals with local banks so that their credit cards can be used. U.S. energy companies, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, are sniffing around for an opportunity to get their hands on a share of the 140 million barrels of oil reserves and 11.4 trillion cubic feet of gas that are up for grabs.

The lifting of EU and US sanctions this year, while the burning and expulsion of the Muslim Rohingyas was in full swing, coincided with the so-called "democratic" reforms of Myanmar's government to clarify and relax restriction on foreign investment and trade in the country. On the 4th November President Thein Sein signed the Foreign Investment Law, which was first passed in draft form by Parliament in September, but underwent several amendments to make it more attractive to foreign capital. It is this "reforming" law, and the events related to it, rather than greater human rights, that better explains America's well studied softening toward Myanmar. In particular we note that:

The finalization of this law saw the World Bank pledging $80 million and the European Union's Commission Chief, José Manuel Barroso, visiting Myanmar to tell Thein Sein that the EU would deliver $100 million in development aid.

Again, that same day, the global accountancy firm KPMG set up a division in Myanmar; the CEO of KPMG in Thailand said, "Myanmar is the second largest country in Southeast Asia, and literally at the center of opportunity in the region. Investors are flocking to the country and are excited about the possibilities they are finding."

PricewaterhouseCoopers followed suit the following week; PwC Singapore's Executive Chairman Designate explained his company's interest, "Since the opening up of its economy at the beginning of this year, we have seen growing interest from both Asian and Western corporations and we expect an increasing stream of foreign direct investment."

Obama claimed during his speech that, "Above all, I came here because of America's belief in human dignity."

This is a blatant lie. The U.S. ranked 9th in the foreign investment line-up in March 2012, with investments worth only $243.49 million, accounting for just 0.6% of the total, and it is now playing "catch-up" but it is not alone.

Two European heads of state were in Myanmar for the 4th November signing of the "Foreign Investment Code" and the opening of their new embassies ready for business. Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg said, "Norwegian companies can now invest in Myanmar as the economic sanctions against Myanmar have been lifted."

Danish Prime Minister Schmidt said, "A new chapter has been opened between Myanmar & Denmark to strengthen bilateral friendship."
That same day the Swiss also opened an embassy, but they only sent their Foreign Minister, and today, 21st November 2012, New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key arrived in Myanmar for another historic first visit of a Western head of state, but he at least was more honest than Obama about his intentions, "There's lots of opportunities: it's arable land, a big population [about 60 million] and it is going to get wealthy over time ... If you roll the clock forward ten years time, most of the leaders I talk to around the region think it will be an increasingly important market."

The International Monetary Fund sent a mission team to Myanmar that began its work the day after Thein Sein signed the Foreign Investment Code and they have delivered a press release (No. 12/453) today, 21st November 2012, to mark the conclusion of their visit tomorrow.
"Myanmar has embarked on a historic set of reforms to modernize and open up its economy. ... The government has made rapid strides over the last two years. ... Discussions on clearing Myanmar's external arrears are also progressing. ...These reforms are already bearing fruit. Growth is expected to accelerate to around 6¼ percent in FY2012/13, bolstered by foreign investment in natural resources and exports of commodities."

So, the race is on for a share in the spoils. The people of Myanmar will be able to buy America's sugared carbonated water in abundance for more than the cost of the unrefined oil and gas that will be pumped out, and when the ensuing property boom sends house prices and inflation skyrocketing, its people, Buddhists and Muslims, will be priced out, and when the bubble bursts, the Western venture capitalists will evaporate with Myanmar's wealth, and if the Muslim Rohingyas have not been all expelled, or locked up in UN-run refugee camps, then they may prove convenient scapegoats again. One thing is sure, America, and the democracies that trail, are not moved by human rights, as they falsely claim, it is only plunder they seek.

Obama also said during his speech at the University of Yangon, "I've come to keep my promise, and extend the hand of friendship. America now has an ambassador in Rangoon, sanctions have been eased, and we will help rebuild an economy that can offer opportunities for its people and serve as an engine of growth for the world. ''

It seems a heavy burden for a poor country, to have to carry all your rich Western democracies on its back. But the sad part is that the poor Muslims in Myanmar are the ones paying the price, May Allah (swt) help the Muslims in Myanmar.

O Muslims, you are without the Khilafah "Caliphate" like the orphans on the villains dining table (America, and the infidel West and East), your reality will not be better and your blood will not be protected, and your wealth will not be kept safely, and you Deen will not governs, without the return of the Khilafah "Caliphate", the shield that protects Islam and Muslims, we call upon you to work with Hizb ut Tahrir and be from the ones who aid this Deen.

(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ)

(O you who believe! If you help Allah, He will help you and make firm your feet)

 

Dr. Abdallah Robin