Charles Petrie, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations to Burma, has been expelled from Burma by the military government in a move that reflects the junta’s displeasure with Petrie’s comments in support of the peaceful demonstrations that followed the sudden hike in fuel prices in Burma in August.

Referring on October 24 to the popular uprising as an “urgent necessity to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation,” Petrie appeared to be taking sides with the opposition, after years of UN silence on the political situation in Burma.

Petrie was, in fact, viewed by the opposition groups inside the country as the UN official closest to the regime. He often spoke positively about the Burmese government’s cooperation in the activities of the UN agencies and was careful to not to criticize the regime in public.

Petrie tactically nurtured a positive image with the regime, believing it was important to accomplish his mission during his term in Burma. He knew well that closeness with the opposition groups, including the National League for Democracy, would undermine his position.

Despite ever-increasing government interference in the activities of UN agencies and international non-government organizations, Petrie continued to send messages to international donors that there were signs of progress in the implementation of humanitarian projects in the country.

Eventually, Petrie couldn’t tone down his statements any further and was forced to acknowledge a joint statement by thirteen NGOs on October 18 declaring that “the humanitarian space for organizations to operate is frequently at risk.”

After former UN Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, gave up on the Than Shwe government in January 2006, Petrie started to play a facilitating role between the regime and the NLD under the advice of then UN Under Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari, facilitating Gambari’s first three-day trip to Burma in May 2006.

At that time, Petrie explained his role to The Irrawaddy: “Regarding my role in Myanmar [Burma], it is that of coordinator of the UN system’s development and humanitarian activities in the country. My role as the UN coordinator also entails the facilitation and support of the other efforts in which the UN is engaged.”

Balancing a controversial stance between the regime and the opposition groups, Petrie felt he could no longer be silent on the humanitarian situation in the country and wrote “a confidential report” to the UN in April 2007 in which he explicitly criticized the junta’s “uncompromising attitude,” not o¬nly towards the NLD and the democracy movement, but towards the ethnic parties and ceasefire groups.

This confidential report was leaked to the media, including The Irrawaddy, and was reported on June 29, 2007.

From this moment, the Burmese regime’s attitude turned sour on Charles Petrie. His decision not to attend former Prime Minister Soe Win’s funeral was perhaps another factor that gave weight to the regime’s decision to expel him, although he did sign Soe Win’s memorial book.

Petrie is not the first (and will surely not be the last) UN official that the regime snubs or refuses to cooperate with. Razali Ismail also experienced the junta’s continuous contempt, eventual leading to his resignation.

The next question is… how long will Ibrahim Gambari last?

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called the expulsion of Charles Petrie a “disappointment” and instructed Gambari to “convey his views directly to the authorities.”

The expulsion of Petrie directly challenges the position of the UN in Burma. Whether the UN can continue to play a crucial role in the national reconciliation between Aung San Suu Kyi and the regime is highly questionable.