When politics intrude, principles take a back place. The editor of the Eureka Street reminds us that whilst there are tentative steps to embrace the Burmese military regime, the country is the landmine capital of the world.
"A few years ago, western leaders welcomed the about face of Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Their enemy, long regarded as an international pariah, had become their friend. Obviously that ended badly, and it serves as a cautionary tale for the West regarding the signs of hope that the Burmese regime is open to change.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's tone was rightfully tentative when she visited Burma last week. She told President Thein Sein that the United States 'is prepared to walk the path of reform with you if you choose to keep moving in that direction'.
Clinton's speeches dwelt on the positives. Follow-up contacts will need to specify international expectations of change in many areas, such as the use of antipersonnel landmines. A new report issued last month by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines depicts Burma as the landmine capital of the world.
Landmines, which are notorious for their record of killing and maiming civilians, were removed from most countries' arsenals after the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Landmines are now used in only a small number of conflicts, although uncleared landmines continue to pose a significant threat to civilians, especially children.
The US has not used landmines since 1991 although it refuses to sign the Mine Ban Treaty.
As well as being one of only a handful of countries continuing to lay fresh landmines, Burma has one of the highest civilian casualty rates in the world, and the figure is increasing. Zetty Brake of Burma Campaign Australia says the new government 'is continuing the old regime's policy of producing and laying landmines, in a manner that deliberately targets civilians ... There are also extensive reports from groups like Human Rights Watch that prisoners are being used as human minesweepers by the Burmese army.'"
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