With Thein Sein, President of Burma, expected to visit the UK for the first time on Sunday 14th July, Burma Campaign UK today publishes a short briefing containing revealing quotes from the former general.
Burma Briefing No 27: Thein Sein In His Own Words, is available here.
There is a growing disparity between the words of Thein Sein, and the actions of his government. However, the policy of Britain, the EU, USA and many other countries appears to be based on his promises, not actual policy and action. Promises and pledges by Thein Sein are frequently cited as one of the justifications for ending international pressure and normalising relations. When Thein Sein says something positive, he is praised, when he says something negative, such as saying he wants to expel all Rohingya from Burma, there is a resounding silence from the international community.
Thein Sein is normally very careful in what he says. Western educated advisors help him in particular with scripts for delivering messages to the international community. There also appears to be a pattern of tailoring certain messages in English for international consumption, and other messages in Burmese for domestic consumption.
However, sometimes the truth slips out. A selection of quotes from these occasions is contained in Burma Briefing No 27: Thein Sein In His Own Words, is available here.