to be fair, sg leaders and diplomats in the shadows and background continued to engage the myanmar junta to keep their ties with asean aspirations and market opportunties in order to maintain an active line of communication. this was better than cutting them off totally, and the junta would have descended into a north korean-type impasse. sg also acted as a diplomatic conduit and facilitator between the u.s. and myanmar. it's thru' much diplomacy, economic engagement, aid, and support that the patience finally pays off. obviously, the u.s. played a role in the whole shbang by pressuring the regime, but sg was walking the fine line by not pissing off the hardliners and shutting them off totally while at the same time showing the bozos in yangon there was a way out with a brighter future by opening up more and remaining flexible with dialogue and action.
no choice, sinkieland needs these tactic to survive, just 700km square of land, nothing else