Burma march largest in 20 years - Page 3

TheDaddy · 27-09-2007, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Well there could be...

We won't do anything while China backs them and they know it, we stand by and watch them build a new capital city, whilst their people starve, I am sure the new city will be a modern metropolis, miles away from Rangoon and strictly no starving peasants allowed, makes you feel glad to be a member of the human race don't it?

We (meaning Europe and the US) really need to take strong action against Russia and China, time and again they stop the World taking action because their regimes are base enough to do business with anyone, when will we say 'fine you jump into bed with the scum of the Earth but you won't do any business with us while you are'

danielf · 27-09-2007, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Well there could be...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...es/1300003.stm

Precisely. Burma could be one of the richer nations in Asia (even without its potential for a smashing tourist destination. Have a look at that photo site I posted earlier). China is well aware of Burma's riches (in particular the oil and gas) and is interested in access to the Indian Ocean, so they are cosying up to the junta and veto any action against it. Bottom line: Nothing is done because there is something in it for China, and China has a veto in the security council. Unless it gives them very bad press in the run up to the Chinese show case that the Olympics are meant to be that is.

On the other hand, China is not impartial to crackdowns itself. Tijananmen, Tibet, plus a few more. They'll look a little out of place criticising Burma over human rights abuses. Silent diplomacy is the best you can expect from China. They are not interested in regime change.

For the Burmese people, I really hope that there will be dissent in the military, as that is the only hope they have for a swift regime change. While I've read there are some indications of dissent (some of Rangoon's military leaders have been replaced for refusal to carry out orders apparently), it's too early to tell.

For now, the main questions are (imo):

How long can the Burmese remain as brave as they have been so far and keep up the protests and lay their lives on the line?

How brutal dare the military leaders be in terrorising the people into submission? No prizes for guessing there

How much brutality dare the foot soldiers inflict before they say it's enough?

I hope to God the people of Burma will be able to get rid of this junta they've been living under for 50 years, but I really don't want to think about what it will take

etccarmageddon · 28-09-2007, 12:30

I think they just have to refuse to stop protesting and accept hundreds, thousands of monks and protesters etc may die in order to change things. If all the people stand up eventually the army will mutiny.

TheDaddy · 28-09-2007, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

I think they just have to refuse to stop protesting and accept hundreds, thousands of monks and protesters etc may die in order to change things. If all the people stand up eventually the army will mutiny.

I don't think they will mutiny, they have moved the real nasty b'stards in to quell the unrest, just like last time and when you consider how much of their GDP they spend on the army, they are all bought and paid for imo

slowcoach · 29-09-2007, 02:57

Just another case of American money creating unrest. All America wants is to get it's hands on the countries assets and set up a load of sweat shops, the people will be no better off. Better the people of Burma stick to their dreams, the reality, if America gets it's foot in the door will be much worse.

NIKE sweatshop Indonesia, price paid for manufacturing a sweatshirt is 3/10ths of 1% of the retail price.

dev · 29-09-2007, 04:09

simple question to those who want something to be done:

what do you want doing that doesnt involve forcing our opinion on those people in burma?

do we send troops to burma and declare war on the burmese government? and so creating another war zone? what happens if it doesn't go to plan? do you then jump on the "waste of human life" band wagon that the iraq war has become?

danielf · 29-09-2007, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by dev

simple question to those who want something to be done:

what do you want doing that doesnt involve forcing our opinion on those people in burma?

do we send troops to burma and declare war on the burmese government? and so creating another war zone? what happens if it doesn't go to plan? do you then jump on the "waste of human life" band wagon that the iraq war has become?

The people of Burma have voiced their opinion. Elections were held in 1990. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a landslide victory. The junta however, never honoured the results.

I think the 1990 election result would be a good starting point. That's not to say there aren't any hurdles. The Karen, Shan, and possibly the Muslims in South-West Burma may want their own state. (The Karen and Shan have a long history of fighting against the Burmese junta but have been defeated). I'm not sure if they would oppose to being part of a democratic Burma.

etccarmageddon · 01-10-2007, 17:34

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...e_id=1811&ct=5

the world is allowing this to happen - just as they allowed hitler to ethnic cleanse the jews, the monks will now be wiped out.

lauzjp · 02-10-2007, 06:36

TheDaddy · 31-10-2007, 08:04

They are back

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7070551.stm

danielf · 09-02-2008, 22:18

A constitutional 'referendum' in May and general 'elections' for 2010 have been announced

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7236648.stm

Democracy supporters are advised to not hold their breath.

TheDaddy · 10-02-2008, 23:45

Well done America probably wont make much difference but it sends a message if nothing else

**Matt D** · 21-02-2008, 21:02

"Lonely Planet's Burma guide 'unethical' "

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC News

The TUC has called for a boycott of Lonely Planet guidebooks until the Burma edition is withdrawn from sale.

The trade union umbrella organisation says travel to Burma is unethical and helps prop up the military government.

Last year, Lonely Planet was bought by BBC Worldwide Limited, the commercial arm of the Corporation.

In a statement, the BBC said the guide book - one of 288 published by Lonely Planet - "provides information and lets readers decide for themselves".

The TUC, Tourism Concern, Burma Campaign UK and the New Internationalist have launched an online petition calling for the immediate withdrawal of the book.

(snip)

jkat · 22-02-2008, 00:13

Quote:

On 14th February 2008 Padoh Mahn Sha, the father of one of our staff members, Zoya Phan, was assassinated by agents of the military regime in Burma. Padoh Mahn Sha was General Secretary of the Karen National Union, which represents the Karen ethnic group in Burma in their struggle for democracy and human rights.

http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/videos.php

danielf · 17-03-2008, 00:32

Meanwhile, pretty much the same thing is happening in Tibet, occupied by China for nearly 60 years now.