Diplomatic struggle is the art of compromise! Dili closes the door to Myanmar's opposition (striving for ASEAN membership)

The Timor-Leste government has clearly changed its position, assuring the Myanmar military regime that it will no longer allow the opposition to conduct political activities or establish offices on its territory. This move contradicts President Jose Ramos-Horta's previous stance and Timor-Leste's image of defending human rights. However, this move seems to be aimed at achieving the strategic goal of Timor-Leste's official membership in ASEAN in October.

Dili (Asia News) – Timor-Leste has assured the Myanmar military regime that it will not allow Myanmar opposition groups to conduct political activities or set up offices on its territory. This diplomatic breakthrough occurred during a two-day visit by Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas to Naypyidaw.

According to a statement from the military government, the minister told Myanmar's Foreign Minister Than Swe that Dili would not allow "illegal organizations" to engage in activities against the Myanmar government. During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding ASEAN principles, particularly non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. Timor-Leste also proposed establishing a Burmese embassy in Dili.

This decision marks a sudden shift by Timor-Leste. A few months ago, Timor-Leste was one of the strongest supporters of the National Unity Government (NUG), which was created by Myanmar since the brutal civil war following the military coup in 2021. Timor-Leste had established liaison offices for the NUG and formally invited the NUG to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Timor-Leste government in July 2023. President Jose Ramos-Horta himself had condemned the international community's passive attitude towards the crisis in Myanmar at the United Nations and questioned why the people of Myanmar did not receive the same support as Ukraine.

Some analysts believe this shift is related to Dili's strategic focus: becoming a formal member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In May, the ASEAN Summit approved Timor-Leste's accession, aiming to complete the process by October. However, the opposition of the Myanmar military regime - they accused Dili of violating the principle of non-interference - has hindered this decision.

Therefore, despite Ramos-Horta calling the military regime's opposition "irrelevant," the government now seems willing to avoid friction and adapt to the unwritten rules of regional diplomacy, known as the "ASEAN way."

This diplomatic approach prioritizes cautious dialogue, compromise, and the principle of "saving face," rather than more explicit statements. Over time, this method has ensured cohesion among countries with different historical and political systems, but it has also exposed its limitations in crises such as the Rohingya issue and the Myanmar coup. Dili has built an international image of defending human rights, but now seems to be leaning towards realpolitik in order to gain a formal seat at the regional table.

Source: Asia News

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843770126511115/

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