Days of Anti-US Book Numbered?

By THE IRRAWADDY

During the George W Bush administration, the Burmese government published a 500-page book attacking the US government for its role in organizing world opinion against the totalitarian regime.

The book blasted US policy on Burma, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the CIA’s past involvement in Burma.

However, some observers in Rangoon are now speculating that Burmese leaders may be second-guessing their strong anti-US position, in light of possibly improved relations based on a new US policy following statements by administration officials that US economic sanctions and engagement had not achieved their desired results.

As the administration of US president Barack Obama reformulates a new policy, some analysts say junta leaders may want to tone down their anti-American rhetoric. One result could be less US-bashing in the New Light of Myanmar, a government-backed English language newspaper. So far, however, there are no signs of change.

The previous book, “The History of Myanmar-American Relationships,” written by “An Observer,” was published in 2007.

It reviews US-Burma relationships dating back to historical pictures of President Richard Nixon visiting Shwedagon shrine and Gen Ne Win’s visit to the White House where he met with President Johnson in 1966.


The book mentions the CIA’s involvement in the Kuomintang invasion of northern Burma in the 1950s. KMT troops, with the support of the CIA, invaded Shan State and established military bases to launch attacks against the People's Republic of China.

The book also attacked US-based foundations and campaign groups that provided financial and political support to border-based activists in Thailand and to rebel groups following the 1988 democracy uprising.

The book criticized Bush for his “inappropriate manner” when he had a highly publicized meeting with the Shan activist Charm Tong in the White House in 2005. It also criticized American political pressure to force the Global Fund to withdraw its activities in Burma.

The book included pictures of detainees at Guantánamo Prison and reports of torture and human rights violations against the detainees.

Observers say, however, that the book was never a best-seller, since most people saw it as simply propaganda from the military regime.

The majority of the Burmese people still think the new US administration will likely continue to exercise a tough policy with the repressive regime, say analysts.