First stop Thailand, then Europe for democracy icon

Published: 28/05/2012 at 12:29 PM Newspaper section: News

Larry Jagan is a former BBC regional correspondent based in Bangkok who covers Myanmar issues extensively.

Myanmar’s charismatic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is preparing to make her first foray outside the country in almost a quarter of a century.

At the last minute she has decided to make Thailand her first destination, having previously planned to go to Norway and pick up her Nobel Peace Prize _ a long-held dream.

Almost every world leader is anxious to host Mrs Suu Kyi on her first visit abroad.

It was expected Norway would have that honour _ but the iconic democracy leader has proved she won’t let sentimentality stand in the way of significant strategic steps.

Her original plans _ which will still go ahead _ were to carefully select significant or symbolic destinations, concentrating on Europe. That trip will take her to Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, the United Kingdom and France.

While it is understandable she should make Europe her first overseas destination in 25 years, concerns were palpable in the region that an Asian capital was not on her itinerary.

Many leaders, including former East Timor president and prime minister, Jose Ramos Horta, believed Asean engagement is more of a priority than western-led sanctions in encouraging political and economic change in Myanmar.

Leaders in the region are looking to "The Lady" to acknowledge this. Myanmar’s future is firmly in Southeast Asia, and its leaders are looking for a sign that she understands and accepts that.

Her visit to Thailand will now allay their worst fears. Sure, she has met many of the region’s leaders in Yangon _ but the symbolism of a trip to meet them on their own ground will not be lost.

The World Economic Forum in Bangkok this week is a perfect venue for her. For the past few years she has sent video messages to the main gathering in Geneva. The head of the WEF has met her several times in Yangon, encouraging her to participate in one of their events.

Many of the region’s leaders and business people will be there _ including Myanmar President Thein Sein, though there is some speculation he will not make an appearance at the forum for fear of being upstaged and overshadowed.

While in Bangkok, Mrs Suu Kyi will meet Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Some sources also suggest she wants to visit the refugee camps on the Thai-Myanmar border.

But the highlight will be the meetings at the economic forum later in the week; it is neutral ground to meet most of the top leaders of the region.

But her visit to Europe is equally important. Mrs Suu Kyi has for years said she would head straight to Norway to pick up her Nobel prize.

Winning the award was an historic moment for her and the Myanmar people to whom she dedicated it in a speech read by her eldest son Alexander. It was an emotional moment, and it will be again two decades later when she gives her speech in Norway on June 16.

But almost as important, and equally significant symbolically, is her attendance at the International Labour Organisation’s annual congress in Geneva. That will be on June 14. ILO head Juan Somavia sent her an official invitation in February, though the ILO chief in Yangon, Steve Marshall, had already verbally invited her late last year.

This, like the Oslo visit, is an important trip as the ILO has been a crucial international player in helping to improve the situation in Myanmar and encourage the military regime to be more open and democratic.

Mrs Suu Kyi has been a keen admirer of the work of the ILO, according to several diplomats covering Myanmar who have spoken to her.

Some time ago former UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari confided to me that during one of his meetings with her, she asked him why the regime feared the ILO so much.

Mrs Suu Kyi’s visit to the ILO is also timely, as it is preparing _ in keeping with moves by the European Union and the United States _ to announce its support for the suspension and lifting of sanctions. Not that the ILO has sanctions in place, but its voice is very influential in the international community. It is understood Mrs Suu Kyi supports the planned ILO move.

The ILO Congress is scheduled to discuss Myanmar at the beginning of June, but Mrs Suu Kyi cannot attend. Hence the reason the ILO visit is at the start of her European sojourn to allow her to appear before it on the penultimate day of the conference.

Sources in the international labour movement say there are already moves to delay the discussion on Myanmar to coincide with her presence there. One interesting aside, is that for the first time the Myanmar workers’ delegation will be led by a representative from the newly formed independent trade union movement, and not a government nominee.

While the rest of the trip seems straight forward _ Norway, the United Kingdom and France _ the visit to Ireland has raised some eye-brows. But it shouldn’t. Mrs Suu Kyi’s desire to go there is symbolically significant. She is to meet Bono and attend a U2 concert (arranged by Amnesty International) according to sources close the National League for Democracy leader.

While Mrs Suu Kyi may be an admirer of U2’s music _ she has admitted in the past to liking reggae and rock _ the visit is really more political. Bono and U2 have been strong supporters of the opposition leader, especially when she was under house arrest, and dedicated many of their concerts to the campaign to free her.

Nearly 30 years ago Bono was involved with the UK-based human rights group, Amnesty International, helping to organise the Policeman’s Ball _ the group’s annual fund-raising gala. He has been active in other humanitarian causes since _ including the fight against racism, combatting the spread of HIV and Aids in Africa, fair trade and combatting poverty worldwide.

In August 2010, Bono and U2 played "Walk On" a song he had written specifically for Mrs Suu Kyi. It was launched only months before she was released from house arrest.

Mrs Suu Kyi was made Amnesty International’s "Ambassador of Conscience" for 2009 _ it was announced in Dublin by Bono at a U2 concert.

So while Mrs Suu Kyi’s trip to Thailand and the WEF is strategically significant, there is a strong sentimental reason behind her visit to Dublin _ and as important as Oslo and the Nobel Peace Prize and Geneva and the ILO.