Australia likely to maintain ties with Myanmar, expert says

Dr Justine Chambers expects the Australian Government to continue its engagement with military, particularly during negotiations to release Australian economist Sean Turnell. Credit: United Nations - Australia is likely to maintain diplomatic relations with Myanmar amid the military's violent crack downs on protestors, an expert from The Australian National University (ANU) argues. The call comes as other Western democracies, like New Zealand, cut ties with the Southeast Asian nation. Dr Justine Chambers, a Visiting Fellow at ANU, said she expected the Australian Government to maintain its communications with the military, particularly during negotiations to release Australian economist Sean Turnell.  "Australia has managed to maintain lines of communications with military leaders," Dr Chambers said.   "These can be used to advocate for a return to civilian rule and to promote respect for human rights. "The Myanmar military doesn't respond well to a hardline diplomacy."  Dr Chambers said the protest movement has been widespread, encompassing people from all walks of life - not just in Yangon but all over the country, even in ethnic minority states.  "Protestors aren't just students and people from the civil society sector, but people from all across society including the civil service. The protests are bringing the economy to a halt, which is hurting the military," she said.  "I think the military has been shocked by the scale of the protests. I'm sure they expected some small protests but that they would have had it under control by now.  "The military is responding to what they see as 'disorder' by cracking down with violence.