Myanmar and China’s Role in Asia

* Re Marvin Ott’s “Don’t Push Myanmar Into China’s Orbit,” Commentary, June 9: Washington’s continued economic pressure on the Yangon regime has brought little change and may well prove counterproductive. Yet hidden within Ott’s writing are some questionable geopolitical assumptions.

In characterizing the Clinton administration’s attention to human rights as “idealist,” Ott wants us to believe that Myanmar’s strategic relevance is substantial and requires American vigilance. Myanmar is becoming a Chinese “satellite.” This, he believes, is made evident by Yangon’s military purchases, the “flood” of consumer goods and immigration and the presence of Chinese construction workers. It would seem easy to use all the same terms to describe the U.S. role in Central America and the Caribbean; would Ott call Honduras an American “satellite”?

Ott’s so-called realist approach is self-fulfilling prophecy. The underlying message is that Chinese gains are a threat to U.S. security in a zero-sum world. Accepting Ott’s assumptions sets us on a course of conflict with China. Myanmar’s entry into ASEAN was inevitable, and states such as Thailand and Indonesia see high stakes, indeed. Let’s begin by accepting Beijing’s legitimate security interests in the region rather than facing off with Chinese leaders over a geopolitical chessboard. Only this will facilitate China’s peaceful transition to major power status.

K. ALAN KRONSTADT

Los Angeles

* I firmly agree with Richard Gephardt’s point of view (Commentary, June 6), especially about lack of basic human rights and democracy in China. As the turning over of Hong Kong approaches, the whole world is watching how a totalitarian regime will be able to deal with the freedom that the Hong Kong people have enjoyed.

As a Taiwanese American, I am very concerned about the Chinese intention to devour Taiwan. Chinese government officials state that in order to “reunite Taiwan,” they will never renounce the use of force as one of their means. Due to the nature of a communist regime, they have no respect for people’s right of self-determination. The Taiwanese people have no desire to live in a communist system. We want to say no to Chinese intimidation, threats and aggression, and say yes to Taiwan independence.

TZUOH CHU HSU

Burbank