It is as if the soldiers have befriended all of Aung San Suu Kyi’s democracy activists. Several days before she was to be released from house arrest, a ‘crazy’ man named John William Yettaw swam to see Suu Kyi. For two days the Vietnam War veteran stayed in the democracy fighter’s house in Burma. It’s not clear just what Yettaw, who is said to share her views, did while there.

The military junta discovered the ‘infiltration’ by Yettaw, an American. According to the rules of her house arrest, Suu Kyi is not allowed to receive foreigners. Furthermore, Yettaw is critical of the military junta. So Suu Kyi was brought to court on a charge of violating the constitution.

We are very alarmed to see injustices continue in Burma, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Several attempts have been made to end the conflict there, but they have all failed. In the end, the ruling military junta asked ASEAN not to interfere in their internal affairs.

ASEAN’s role is clear and simple, it is needed to break the deadlock regarding democracy in Burma. Up to now, ASEAN has tended to be weak and not take clear steps to overcome the crisis there. However, the ASEAN Charter clearly states that all members must respect human rights and democracy.

But what is happening in Burma? The military junta are seemingly unmoved by countries which support the ASEAN Charter. Suu Kyi’s fate is unchanged, and has in fact been worsened by the behaviour of the crazy American. It is hard to believe his actions were free from government involvement. Their purpose is keeping Suu Kyi out of the 2010 elections.

Clearly ASEAN is not the only potential solution to the crisis in Burma. The tropical country is not free of interference by the two current centres of power in the world: the West and China. The West is divided: while some European countries are soft on Burma, others are harsher. Their motives are clear: economics and energy resources.

China, France, Italy and Russia seek Burma’s energy resources and have large economic interests in the country. While business is tightly controlled, these countries are committed to protecting Burma from international pressure.

The US, with its (usual) double standards, supports those who oppose the military junta. The US’s interests are not accommodated there. When Saddam Hussein ignored their energy interests, they attacked Iraq. When Afghanistan didn’t give more space for American oil and gas companies, that beautiful country was defeated. In Burma, Uncle Sam is too scared to involve their military because they know powerful countries stand behind the military junta.

Within this geopolitical situation, ASEAN’s role is too small to solve Burma’s democracy problems. One organization, representing ASEAN, China, Europe and the US, is needed to reach a progressive solution to create a democratic atmosphere in Burma.

Clearly, the military junta must release Aung San Suu Kyi. Her future and political activities could be discussed within such an organization. As a member of the United Nations, Burma must follow the universal values in granting individuals freedom, in this case Suu Kyi.

Her release is necessary to allow all parties involved in ending the democracy deadlock to operate equally. Suu Kyi is on the same level as the military junta. The role of a mediator from ASEAN and other countries should be to move towards a road map to peace, prioritising the needs of the people of Burma.

We don’t want further political oppression in Southeast Asia, and Burma is still an obstacle and a tough challenge for ASEAN to solve.