BANGKOK, Thailand -- As the United States and the European Union consider tightening economic sanctions against the Burmese military regime, U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is touring Asia to promote the idea of giving the repressive generals "incentives" to change their ways. Gambari is spinning the idea of some form of financial help to address the economic mess Burma has descended into under prolonged dictatorship. It was financial desperation among a population of 54 million, most living on the breadline, that triggered last month's monk-led mass protests over fuel price rises of up to 500 percent. Gambari is talking vaguely of aid to provide what he terms "capacity building" and financial resources to help lift Burma out of penury and onto the road to a pluralistic society.
On Asian Tour, U.N.’s Gambari Promotes ‘Incentives’ for Burma
