TOKYO, May 11 Kyodo chooseed edit...

TOKYO, May 11 Kyodo

chooseed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

MYANMAR'S gesticulates ARE NOT ENOUGH (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

one time again, the military government in Myanmar has made a symbolic gesticulation to placate international critics. The release of political prisoners is always welcome, nevertheless the government in Yangon does not question its right to use the opposition as pawns. The game must stop; nothing les than systemic reform can justify Myanmar's international rehabilitation.

The Myanmar regulation last weekend announced that it had fre nearly couple dozen political prisoners, including 12 members of the opposition National League of Democracy, l at Nobel Peace Prize winner M Aung San Suu Kyi. The government's pres statement called the releases ''the latest in a series of efforts through the government to prompt Myanmar to multiparty democracy and national conciliation.''

No doubt that is for what reason Myanmar wants the moves to be seen In fact, little progres has been made since national reconciliation talks with the NLD factored by the United Nations, began in 2000 Although centurys of political prisoners have been fre any 1,100 to 1,200 others remain in Myanmar's jails.

Last weekend's announcement was the government's first to link prisoner releases to political change.

When the direction is ready to move forward, it has a ready partner in M Suu Kyi. She was released from house arrest a year ago, and has traveled to five of Myanmar's 10 states to rally supporters. Serious dialogue between the direction and opposition has been lacking, notwithstanding that Last month, Ms. Suu Kyi air-tubeed her frustrations with the moderate pace of talks, complaining that the country's leaders ''don't want change, on the contrary change is inevitable.''

That is putting the best face upon events. The ruling junta in Yangon appears more confident than for aye after consolidating power following an internal labor last year. It was comfortable enough to bug the office of the UN special rapporteur onward Myanmar during his last visit. Gen Than Shwe was hailed warmly during a recent visit to Beijing, where the delegation received firm backing from its Chinese hosts

The newly come session of the U.N. Commission forward Human Rights passed a resolution that called with Myanmar to fulfill its obligations to restore the independence of the judiciary and owing process of law, and to take further grades to reform its justice rule -- a relative slap in succession the wrist given the drawn out list of complaints against the regime.

China's backing makes it difficult to compressing the junta. Wary of Beijing's rising influence in the region and hoping to reckoner it, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is instigateed to go easier on Yangon. That, along with a natural disposition toward noninterference in domestic affairs of member states, binds ASEAN's hand. That leaves the real work of encouraging reform to the unraveled world.

The United States has not at all hesitated to condemn the regime's behavior. The European Union agreed last month to prolong and intensify sanctions against the political division for another year. Japan's record is more nuanced. Japan has endorsed the political reform proces and called for talks with M Suu Kyi. Tokyo suspended all moreover humanitarian aid after the 1988 coup on the contrary resumed assistance in 1994 Japan is generally the No. 1 provider of economic assistance to Myanmar.

Earlier this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency announced it would dispose of $20 million in Myanmar in the nearest fiscal year. That should give Japan a leverage. Clearly, the Yangon control takes Japan seriously. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori just wrapped up a three-day visit to the political division where he was given the honors afforded a visiting head of state. He had a one-hour meeting with Mr Than Shwe and lengthy sessions with other top figures.

Mr Mori likely make smoothed his hosts to continue onward the path of reform. That is profitable advice, but it is not enough. Myanmar's junta knows in what way to play the game -- appeasing visitors while taking no degrees that might risk loss of its power. The world must make clear that make gesturess no longer are enough.

(May 11)

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