the brave people of Myanmar fight against a military regime that has ruled with real force and brutality for decades seeking their dream of democracy. Peaceful resistance turned to a blood bath when security forces moved in; Buddhist monks, ordinary citizens and at least one foreign journalist (Kenji Nagai) are amongst those shot or beaten to death. The world watches, the politicians pontificate and where is the UN?
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Myanmar: While the world watches
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Re: While the world watches
In the mid- to late-nineties, I really believed this kind of thing is what our military is for, in this post-coldwar America. "Peace-keeping," they called it in the Sudan and in eastern Europe.
Even in this post-9/11 America, I think this is the nobler cause, and much more worthy of our resources than what's going on in the Middle East. glossyp, I know you and I have disagreed about the ongoing war in Iraq, but do we agree that when common people stand up against oppressive governments, we of all nations should be there?
I do not know how, of course, we could get involved NOW, with our reserves already stretched thin, but man. Something should be done, not only in Myanmar but in a few other places in the world.But I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I GOT IT ALL! (George Costanza)
GrouchyTeacher.com
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by scrivener View PostIn the mid- to late-nineties, I really believed this kind of thing is what our military is for, in this post-coldwar America. "Peace-keeping," they called it in the Sudan and in eastern Europe.
Even in this post-9/11 America, I think this is the nobler cause, and much more worthy of our resources than what's going on in the Middle East. glossyp, I know you and I have disagreed about the ongoing war in Iraq, but do we agree that when common people stand up against oppressive governments, we of all nations should be there?
I do not know how, of course, we could get involved NOW, with our reserves already stretched thin, but man. Something should be done, not only in Myanmar but in a few other places in the world.
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Re: While the world watches
Sadly, the junta has cut the main internet connections to Myanmar in an effort to keep information about the events occurring in the streets of Yangon from the rest of the world.
Video slidehow of events in Yangon and worldwide related to this attack on human rights.
Another news source from Myanmar
Miulang"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
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Re: While the world watches
More pictures and reports from a Burmese blogger who is currently living in London but who has been getting phone reports from people in the streets of Yangon.
Miulang"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by joshuatree View PostGetting China onboard would be key. They hold an influence over that country.
pax
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by Pua'i Mana'o View PostDoes the theory go that we have as much a chance at besting China as we do creating a democracy in Iraq (or finding OBL)?
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by scrivener View PostIn the mid- to late-nineties, I really believed this kind of thing is what our military is for, in this post-coldwar America. "Peace-keeping," they called it in the Sudan and in eastern Europe.
Even in this post-9/11 America, I think this is the nobler cause, and much more worthy of our resources than what's going on in the Middle East. glossyp, I know you and I have disagreed about the ongoing war in Iraq, but do we agree that when common people stand up against oppressive governments, we of all nations should be there?
I do not know how, of course, we could get involved NOW, with our reserves already stretched thin, but man. Something should be done, not only in Myanmar but in a few other places in the world.
Here is an excellent essay written by a professor at Tufts University that compares Wilson and Bush and their worldviews plus a good dose of Truman and Kennedy. He articulates my point of view of what the position of our nation should be in regards to supporting the people of Burma. Bush's bid for a Wilsonesque legacy. Note that it was written more than two years ago.
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by glossyp View PostI do subscribe to the philosophy espoused by Woodrow Wilson that part of America's role in the world was to make it safe for democracy to take root. In retrospect one sees that many of the nations we were at war with have adopted some form democracy - and many of those countries are places where nay sayers claimed that the people there were not suited for democracy. Do we have a responsibility to stand with people willing to resist and die fighting against a regime such as in Burma? I believe we do. Will it happen? Probably not. Nonetheless, I remain a firm believer that democracy is, as Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, "universal and irresistable", to freedom loving people wherever they may live.
Here is an excellent essay written by a professor at Tufts University that compares Wilson and Bush and their worldviews plus a good dose of Truman and Kennedy. He articulates my point of view of what the position of our nation should be in regards to supporting the people of Burma. Bush's bid for a Wilsonesque legacy. Note that it was written more than two years ago.
Our past foreign policy (and bucks) have been used to foment the change by giving the resistance the financial backing it needs to overcome the incumbent regime. Unfortunately, time and time again, those initial good faith efforts have been turned against us (too many countries to list here where that has happened in the past).
In the case of Myanmar, not only are there issues with the monks and the general population, but for years and years (actually since 1949), there has been an ongoing campaign of oppression by the government against the Karen people. (Some of us on HT know an American who spent a few years in Myanmar helping run the resistance with this group, but as an NGO Christian missionary and not a representative of the US government).
More about the Karen rebels. One of their most famous leaders was a young boy of of 12 or 13 who led a group of young people to fight against the Burmese government.
Sadly, I don't know how we can help and yet not be taken advantage of down the road.
MiulangLast edited by Miulang; September 29, 2007, 02:25 PM."Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by Miulang View PostI agree with you that we should be supporting the dissidents, but where you and I diverge somewhat in opinion is that once the opportunity arises, the US should not dictate the kind of "democracy" that a newly free country should have.
Originally posted by Miulang View PostSadly, I don't know how we can help and yet not be taken advantage of down the road.
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Re: While the world watches
Hmmm...probably another reason why the US has to take special interest in what's going on in Myanmar...
Just last Sunday - when marches led by Buddhist monks drew thousands in Myanmar's biggest cities - Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora was in the country's capital for the signing of oil and gas exploration contracts between state-controlled ONGC Videsh Ltd. and Myanmar's military rulers.
The signing ceremony was an example of how important Myanmar's oil and gas resources have become in an energy-hungry world. Even as Myanmar's military junta intensifies its crackdown on pro-democracy protests, oil companies are jostling for access to the country's largely untapped natural gas and oil fields that activists say are funding a repressive regime.
...Altogether, nine foreign oil companies are involved in 16 onshore blocks exploring for oil, enhancing recovery from older fields, or trying to reactivate fields where production has been suspended, according to Total's Web site. A block is an area onshore or offshore in which an oil company is granted exploratory and discovery rights.
Offshore, nine companies, including Total, Petronas, PTTEP, South Korea's Daewoo International Corp., Chinese state-run companies China National Offshore Oil Corp., or CNOOC, and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., or Sinopec, are exploring or developing 29 blocks, Total said.
Despite economic sanctions against Myanmar by the United States and the European Union, Total continues to operate the Yadana gas field, and Chevron Corp. has a 28 percent stake through its takeover of Unocal. Existing investments were exempt from the investment ban.
Both Total and Chevron broadly defended their business in the nation.
"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
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Re: While the world watches
Originally posted by Miulang View PostHmmm...probably another reason why the US has to take special interest in what's going on in Myanmar...
Miulang
In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like to restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
September 26, 2007
First of all, the Group would like to express its deep concern over the present situation, which it is monitoring very closely. Under these particular circumstances, Total is deploying heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of its employees. We hope that the current tensions facing the country will quickly subside and that solutions will be found in order to safeguard the population and protect human rights.
We are convinced that through our presence we are helping to improve the daily lives of tens of thousands of people who benefit from our social and economic initiatives. By promoting responsible behavior, our local teams can serve as a model for business and political leaders looking for ways to address the country's human rights issues.
We would like to thank all those who have encouraged us to pursue our actions to help the local people and enhance their well-being through the defense of common values. To those who ask us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawal would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure could cause the population even greater hardship and is thus an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lassalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs,Total Exploration & Production
Miulang"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
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Re: While the world watches
An interesting essay that examines China's role (they are the principal outside beneficiaries of the natural resources, etc. of Myanmar) and why the Chinese might be motivated to apply pressure to the junta. Myanmar at a Crossroads from the Korea Times.
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Blackwater murders verses Myanmar protest deaths
US's Blackwater mercenary soldiers kill a dozen unarmed civilians in a routine daily action by Blackwater forces in Iraq as the Myanmar military kills ten protestors during days of marches by thousands of protestors and which story gets top billing in the U.S. media? The one Bush wants to talk about.
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