Report: Firms in Europe, US, and Asia Helping Myanmar Manufacture Arms
The Facts
A report by the Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) released on Monday stated that companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia have provided supplies “critical” to the production of weapons in Myanmar.
The report identified companies from 13 countries, including the US, France, Germany, China, India, Russia, and Singapore, and claimed that licenses, raw materials, software, parts, and components had been provided to Myanmar's government.
The Spin
Narrative A
This report has made clear something that was already well-known: foreign powers are assisting Myanmar's military as it slaughters innocent civilians and erodes the country's democratic institutions. Foreign companies must stop sending materials to Myanmar, and world governments must do more to prevent private enterprise from colluding with a regime guilty of mass murder.
Narrative B
Though the intentions of those calling for more sanctions against Myanmar are good, unfortunately, said sanctions would only hurt the people of Myanmar even more. The economy has already faced a dire situation and any additional sanctions will only shrink foreign investments, job opportunities, and trade.
