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タイ在住11年目、妻はタイ人、娘が2人、養女が2人

The Yomiuri Shimbun
After election, keep Myanmar’s economic development on track
ミャンマー選挙　経済発展路線の継承が課題だ

It is important that the economic development course put in motion by the administration of Myanmar President Thein Sein be inherited, and that nation-building efforts there are steadily kept on track.
　テイン・セイン政権が道筋をつけた経済発展路線を継承し、ミャンマーの国造りを着実に軌道に乗せることが重要だ。

A general election has been held in Myanmar for the first time since the transition from military rule to democratic government in 2011.
　ミャンマーで、２０１１年の民政移管後、初めてとなる総選挙が行われた。

The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spearheaded the prodemocracy movement in Myanmar, is likely to win more than two-thirds of the seats up for election and not reserved for military representatives. The NLD, which is the largest opposition party, is forecast to secure a majority in the parliament.
　民主化運動を主導してきたアウン・サン・スー・チー氏率いる最大野党の国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）が、軍人枠を除く改選枠の３分の２超の議席を獲得し、国会の過半数を確保する見通しだ。

The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which was formed by the old military junta, has admitted defeat. The parliament will choose the president in February 2016, and the possibility of a change in administration has increased.
　軍政の流れをくむ与党・連邦団結発展党（ＵＳＤＰ）も敗北を認めた。来年２月に国会で大統領が選出されるが、政権交代の可能性が大きくなったと言える。

Thein Sein’s administration snapped Myanmar’s excessive dependence on China and achieved high economic growth by improving the investment environment, which has pulled in more capital from overseas.
　テイン・セイン政権は中国への過度の依存から脱却し、投資環境の改善で外資を呼び込み、高い成長率を実現してきた。

Despite these achievements, the USDP’s heavy defeat appears to be the result of demands for greater reform from the people who still distrust the military.
それでも大敗したのは、軍に不信を抱く国民が変革を求めたためだろう。

In 1990, the military government did not accept the result of a general election in which the NLD recorded a comprehensive victory, and refused to hand over power. The NLD boycotted the 2010 general election in opposition to rules put in place by the military government.
　ＮＬＤが圧勝した１９９０年の総選挙では、軍政が結果を受け入れず、政権移譲を拒んだ。１０年の総選挙は、軍政に反発するＮＬＤが参加をボイコットしている。

The latest election was conducted without any major disturbances, although there were flaws in the process including some people being unable to register on voter lists. Overall, the election can be applauded as a sign of progress in Myanmar’s democratization.
　今回は、有権者名簿に登録漏れなどの不備があったが、大きな混乱もなく実施された。民主化の進展を示すものと評価できる。

Suu Kyi’s odd comment

Myanmar’s Constitution contains a clause that prohibits anyone whose spouse or children are foreign citizens from becoming president. Consequently, Suu Kyi, whose sons are British, is disqualified from this position.
　憲法は外国籍の親族がいる人物の大統領就任を禁じる条項を設けており、英国籍の子息をもつスー・チー氏には、その資格がない。

It is difficult to understand that, before the election, Suu Kyi said she would take a position “above the president” if the NLD triumphed. Does Suu Kyi intend to set up a puppet government even while she herself has been calling for greater democratization?
　理解し難いのは、選挙前、スー・チー氏が「我々が勝利すれば、私は大統領よりも上に立つ」と語ったことである。自ら民主化を掲げながら、傀儡かいらい政権を作るつもりなのだろうか。

During the election campaign, there was no mention of her design for the administration, and no concrete policies have been revealed. Her political skills are questioned.
　選挙遊説では、政権構想を語らず、具体的な政策も見えない。政治手腕は疑問視されている。

A pile of difficult issues need to be addressed. Achieving peace with armed groups among Myanmar’s ethnic minorities will not be easy. National reconciliation, including reducing religious conflict, is an urgent task.
　課題は山積している。少数民族の武装勢力との和平も容易でない。宗教対立の緩和など国民和解は急務となっている。

The NLD lacks human resources capable of running a government. Even if a change in power does occur, the NLD will sooner or later become unable to keep going without the cooperation of the military and the USDP.
　ＮＬＤは国政を担える人材を欠く。政権交代を実現しても、軍やＵＳＤＰの協力なしには、早晩、立ち行かなくなるだろう。

Myanmar has high strategic value due to its vital location linking the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Japan, the United States and other nations with interests in this region must strengthen ties with Myanmar to keep a check on China, whose unilateral maritime advances are heightening tensions in this area.
　インド洋と南シナ海を結ぶ要衝にあるミャンマーの戦略的価値は高い。一方的な海洋進出で緊張を高める中国を牽制けんせいするためにも、日米や周辺国は、ミャンマーとの関係を強化せねばならない。

Japan welcomed the course taken by the administration of Thein Sein and actively supported it through a two-pronged policy of official development assistance and private investment. Political stability in Myanmar is essential for Japanese companies that have entered markets there. The public and private sectors should work closely together and continue to push for reform in Myanmar.
　日本はテイン・セイン政権の路線を歓迎し、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）と民間投資の両面で積極的に支援している。政治の安定は日本の進出企業にも欠かせない。官民が連携し、ミャンマーの改革を引き続き後押しすべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 12, 2015)