SINGAPORE - A CLASSIFIED US document released by WikiLeaks cites Singapore statesman Lee Kuan Yew as calling Myanmar's junta leaders 'stupid' and 'dense.'
A confidential briefing on a 2007 conversation between former Prime Minister Lee and US officials was released by WikiLeaks this week.
It quoted Mr Lee as saying that dealing with Myanmar's military regime was like 'talking to dead people.'
Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold wrote that Mr Lee said China had the most influence over Myanmar's leadership of any foreign country.
Mr Lee also says China is worried the country could 'blow up,' which would threaten Chinese investments.
IN THE same 2007 exchanges with US officials, MM Lee thought one possible solution to the crisis in Myanmar would be for a group of younger military officers who were less 'obtuse' to step forward and recognise that the current situation was untenable.
They could share power with the democracy activists, although probably not with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was anathema to the military. It would be a long process.
He said that Myanmar's ambassador in Singapore had told MFA that Myanmar could 'survive any sanctions' due to its natural resources.
Mr Lee said dealing with the regime was like 'talking to dead people'.
