There’s a very fine line between stupid and clever, as demonstrated (if proof be need be) by this commenter on the BBC’s Have Your Say:
Is it the time for China to send troops to take over Burma and bring democracy to Burmese, just like what US and UK did to Iraq
(h/t SpEak You’re bRanes)
Let’s hope not! In fact, the good old international community (not least the international business community) bears much responsibility for the crimes of the Burmese junta. Despite Gordon Brown’s recent tribute to his “personal hero”, activist and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, his attitude to Burma has been the same as that of most other powerful figures: pretend nothing’s happening.
What is happening is coming from within, not from without. It’s people power in action, nothing more and nothing less.
I hope you realize what happened the last time the Burmese rose up peacefully in protest of the military regime. Many Burmese are skeptical of their own ability to effect any change. They thing foreign intervention is necessary — not Iraq-style occupation where motives are ulterior. Rather, a true humanitarian intervention.
Jameel, you’re right of course. Popular resistance can be met with brutal repression, as was the case in 1988. It’s certainly reasonable for the Burmese to wish for help from outside, but this has not been forthcoming. The world has responded to the Burmese dictatorship mainly with indifference, and investment. See the article I linked to for a few examples.
a little chuckle:
http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/09/a-feeling-im-be.html
Frankly, the amount of time I devote to blogging isn’t enough to do justice to a rapidly-unfolding story like this. I recommend Rick and Lenin, among others.
One of the most visible effects of the dictatorship has been to submit a vast section of the population to virtual slavery. Obviously, international capital and the governments it influences are generally okay with this - but they’re wary of backing the losing side, and the repression can’t go on forever. International support could make all the difference to the opposition at this point, and its leaders may be coaxed into making serious compromises in return for it.
Of course, everything is still to play for. It seems unlikely the junta can hold on to power - but if they do, it will necessarily involve an intensely violent crackdown - and if the people can mobilise against such a junta, they may not be to intimidated by any potential shady deals with the IMF.
Here comes that intense violence:
http://environmentdebate.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/burma-sos/
This is the time to put pressure on Gordon Brown…:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SupportBurmese/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Burmacrackdown/
… and on the companies “investing” in Burmese slave labour and resources:
http://tenpercent.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/let-the-businesses-that-trade-with-the-burmese-junta-know-what-you-think/
thats why the other governments are appealling to the authorities and not the people - people power is far more dangerous to them
Well there’s that, and the fact that the junta’s exploitation of the people has made them very useful to powerful external interests.
It’s not just the US UK by any means; access to Burmese gas plays a vital part in the rapid development of India and China, and these two can’t afford even the hesitant noises that certain Western leaders have been making. For example, the foreign minister of The World’s Largest Democracy just said:
In the past, India has played a more nuanced role in Burma, but since the “neoliberal invasion” its government has been finding more and more interests in common with the junta.
Blogging from within Burma, Ko Htike provides regular, shocking updates.
unrelated, but I thought you may like it!
http://tonykaron.com/2007/10/09/iran-the-inflatable-bogey
Good stuff Naj
‘Fraid I won’t be joining your virtual reading club as, what with uni and everything, my list of books to get through is already getting pretty ridiculous. It’s a good idea though.