Jim Webb calls for US to lift sanctions against Burma

In a NY Times oped, Senator Jim Webb wrote:

Finally, with respect to reducing sanctions, we should proceed carefully but immediately. If there is reciprocation from the government of Myanmar in terms of removing the obstacles that now confront us, there would be several ways for our two governments to move forward. We could begin with humanitarian projects.

On one hand, I agree with Webb that it  would be a good idea to review the US approach to Burma.  On the other hand, it sounds as if Webb wants the US to make the first move in terms of lifting sanctions. Is trade with the US not a kind of reward for the Burmese regime?   Webb cites US normalization of trade relations with Vietnam as an example of how lifting a trade embargo can make for a more open society.  

Walter Lohman of the Heritage Foundation Foundry blog has a point-by-point critique of the Webb oped, and makes an interesting point with regards to Webb's Vietnam analogy:

Assumption #2: Normalization with Vietnam and China are models for Burma policy.

Senator Webb is fond of citing normalization of economic and diplomatic relations with Vietnam as a precedent for engaging Burma. But there is a fundamental difference. Vietnam made a strategic decision in 1986 to reform its economy and open up to the world. Without this decision, the subsequent normalization could not have happened. It is the same regarding U.S. normalization with China. The Burmese junta has not made such a strategic decision. They reach out piece meal for means of securing their grip on power. That’s why they joined ASEAN in 1997. There was a time in the 1990s when the Burmese were open to foreign visitors with critical perspectives.

They are much more discerning nowadays. Senator Webb was granted his historic meeting with Than Shwe because the Senator is an opponent of current American policy and his presence could be used - as it was - to send a signal of regime stability to the long suffering people of Burma.

The last point is important.  Having more normal relations with the United States is a bankable asset to a rogue regime like Burma.  So although initiating dialogue makes some sense to me, I believe real concessions toward the regime should come at a price.

An update on this matter can be found here.