Burma: The British companies that help to prop up a murderous regime
MORE THAN 50 UK firms trading with Burma stand accused of propping up the nation's ruthless military junta. The companies' investments in Burma have outraged the Westminster government, British MPs and human rights campaigners.
Among the firms are two Scottish companies: Aquatic from Aberdeen, and Schlumberger from Westhill in Aberdeenshire. Aquatic is a privately owned company, with offices in Burma, that provides specialist services to the oil and gas industry. Gas exports are the military dictatorship's biggest source of income.
Schlumberger Oilfield Services, based in Westhill, runs offshore gas rigs in Burma, as well as in the North Sea. The firm claims it presence in Burma is "positive for the Burmese people".
Burma's pro-democracy movement, as well as British supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi, the nation's imprisoned democratic leader, say that trade with Burma funds some of the most brutal human rights abuses and repression in the world.
The Burmese army has been routinely accused of using rape (including that of children) as a weapon of war, as well as ethnic cleansing, extra-judicial executions and torture and imprisonment without trial. More than one million people have been displaced and 3000 villages destroyed by government troops.
Other British companies trading with the repressive regime include Rolls-Royce, which has a contract to supply and
service aircraft engines for at least one Burmese airline.
Most other trade with Burma from Britain is in the travel sector or via the importation of teakwood. The military dictatorship owns all teak plantations, and sales of the wood earn the regime millions of pounds a year. Suu Kyi and the democracy movement have asked all travellers not to visit Burma, as tourism helps "fund and legitimise" the regime.
The UK government says it wants no UK firms to trade with Burma, and actively discourages companies from doing so.
Anne Clywd, chair of the UK parliament's all-party group on human rights, said: "Nobody with any kind of morality should trade with Burma. Continuing trade is totally unacceptable."
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Posted by: Scamp on 12:04am Sun 30 Sep 07
Schlumberger is actually an American listed company and Aquatic is owned by Acteon an English company. Get your facts right.
Schlumberger is actually an American listed company and Aquatic is owned by Acteon an English company. Get your facts right.
Posted by: Mess, Scotland on 3:33am Sun 30 Sep 07
Anne Clywd was one of 'Labours Friends of Iraq' along with Tony Blair. With friends like that the Burmese should be afraid. Until recently the UK was Burmas biggest investor, and the BurmaCampaigns Dirty List still contains many UK companies that have rcieved no government instruction.
Meanwhile, Burma was once one corner of the 'Golden Triangle' of opium production that was created first by the UK then the US. The junta was funded by the CIA for it's opium until the US 'liberated' Afghan poppies.
http://www.a1b2c3.co
m/drugs/opi007.htm
http://www.ibiblio.o
rg/obl/reg.burma/arc
hives/199710/msg0018
4.html
http://www.csun.edu/
coms/ben/news/cia/96
1202.burma.html
Good to see Neil back, but not his finest journalism.
Anne Clywd was one of 'Labours Friends of Iraq' along with Tony Blair. With friends like that the Burmese should be afraid. Until recently the UK was Burmas biggest investor, and the BurmaCampaigns Dirty List still contains many UK companies that have rcieved no government instruction.
Meanwhile, Burma was once one corner of the 'Golden Triangle' of opium production that was created first by the UK then the US. The junta was funded by the CIA for it's opium until the US 'liberated' Afghan poppies.
http://www.a1b2c3.co
m/drugs/opi007.htm
http://www.ibiblio.o
rg/obl/reg.burma/arc
hives/199710/msg0018
4.html
http://www.csun.edu/
coms/ben/news/cia/96
1202.burma.html
Good to see Neil back, but not his finest journalism.
Posted by: Derek Tonkin, Guildford on 7:51am Sun 30 Sep 07
Why are the people of Burma so desperate? Mainly because of the incompetence of the generals. But also because the West has denied them humanitarian and development aid, cut off IMF, World Bank and ADB support, and allowed Asian companies to take over most Western investment and trading assets. The Director of Save the Children Fund UK in Burma did not mince his words on BBC Today yesterday in pointing the finger at Western culpability for the shambles in Burma today and Western failure to help the people. It is not Western firms which are propping up the regime. But it is Western activist groups who must bear a share of the responsibility for the present suffering of the Burmese people.
Why are the people of Burma so desperate? Mainly because of the incompetence of the generals. But also because the West has denied them humanitarian and development aid, cut off IMF, World Bank and ADB support, and allowed Asian companies to take over most Western investment and trading assets. The Director of Save the Children Fund UK in Burma did not mince his words on BBC Today yesterday in pointing the finger at Western culpability for the shambles in Burma today and Western failure to help the people. It is not Western firms which are propping up the regime. But it is Western activist groups who must bear a share of the responsibility for the present suffering of the Burmese people.
Posted by: Paul Voltaire on 8:07am Sun 30 Sep 07
Oh well!
Looks like I will have to boycott Rolls Royce products in protest.
Oh well!
Looks like I will have to boycott Rolls Royce products in protest.
Posted by: annonymoose, Glasgow on 8:17am Sun 30 Sep 07
Name and shame!!! Shame its a rather weak article, public figures and politicians should be embarrassed if riding on its back.
Unless its Arms, or direct support, then why the noise. The same thing hasn’t caused much ongoing stir or stopped much in the way of Diamonds and Gold from other dictatorships, warlords, oppressive regimes and military junta run parts of the world.
The named companies actually give something important, that actually supports the people, by giving jobs to the Burmese people and income where it is needed.
As for naïve people calling for China to use its influence, Burma can be likened to a China in miniature, and the Party leaders of the Peoples Paradise, would not want the people of China getting any ideas that demonstrations might change things or bring democracy.
Name and shame!!! Shame its a rather weak article, public figures and politicians should be embarrassed if riding on its back.
Unless its Arms, or direct support, then why the noise. The same thing hasn’t caused much ongoing stir or stopped much in the way of Diamonds and Gold from other dictatorships, warlords, oppressive regimes and military junta run parts of the world.
The named companies actually give something important, that actually supports the people, by giving jobs to the Burmese people and income where it is needed.
As for naïve people calling for China to use its influence, Burma can be likened to a China in miniature, and the Party leaders of the Peoples Paradise, would not want the people of China getting any ideas that demonstrations might change things or bring democracy.
Posted by: ask me later, mandalay on 9:29am Sun 30 Sep 07
Hello . . . . .>508m barrels of crude oilreserves in onshore areas, 100.8m barrels offshore.
15.85 trillion' feet of reserves offshore of natural gas, >768 billion' cubit feet onshore.
Come and get it, on one condition, save us from the enemy.
Hello . . . . .>508m barrels of crude oilreserves in onshore areas, 100.8m barrels offshore.
15.85 trillion' feet of reserves offshore of natural gas, >768 billion' cubit feet onshore.
Come and get it, on one condition, save us from the enemy.
Posted by: ask me later, mandalay on 9:33am Sun 30 Sep 07
[quote]Hello . . . . .>508m barrels of crude oil reserves in onshore areas, 100.8m barrels offshore.
15.85 trillion' feet of reserves offshore of natural gas, >768 billion' cubit feet onshore.
Come and get it, on one condition, save us from the enemy.[/quote]
Hello . . . . .>508m barrels of crude oil reserves in onshore areas, 100.8m barrels offshore.
15.85 trillion' feet of reserves offshore of natural gas, >768 billion' cubit feet onshore.
Come and get it, on one condition, save us from the enemy.
Posted by: Jassim, London on 9:51am Sun 30 Sep 07
All the above : rape, summary executions, arbitary imprisonment, torture,sound exactly like what Britain and the US have done or been responsible for in Iraq and Afganistan. ALong with the plunder of oil, gas - the reason for tw unjustified, illegal sackings of sovereign states. Very few British or US politicians have any right to take the high ground over human rights abuses. We have led in them.People in glass houses ....As for Ann Clwyd who pushed for the invasion of Iraq for over a decade which has led, predictably, to a horror which exceeds the slaughters by the Monguls, hardly a fit person to be a human rights advisor. Oh and didn't we lynch members of and a President of, a legitimate government who 'soverignty and terriotrial integrity' was guaranteed by the UN?
[bold]bold[/bold]
All the above : rape, summary executions, arbitary imprisonment, torture,sound exactly like what Britain and the US have done or been responsible for in Iraq and Afganistan. ALong with the plunder of oil, gas - the reason for tw unjustified, illegal sackings of sovereign states. Very few British or US politicians have any right to take the high ground over human rights abuses. We have led in them.People in glass houses ....As for Ann Clwyd who pushed for the invasion of Iraq for over a decade which has led, predictably, to a horror which exceeds the slaughters by the Monguls, hardly a fit person to be a human rights advisor. Oh and didn't we lynch members of and a President of, a legitimate government who 'soverignty and terriotrial integrity' was guaranteed by the UN?
Posted by: ldnscot, London on 10:22am Sun 30 Sep 07
By Christmas Myanmar will be out of the news. Hundreds if not thousands will have "disappeared" or been killed in protests. But by Christmas the media will be bored with the same story. Look at Darfur.
The international community need to act but won't. I notice that Iraq is still mentioned continually by people here, and condemnation of the leaders who acted then. Yet there is little to no mention of the UN, China, Russia or many of the SE Asian countries who do nothing and work hand in glove with the Generals.
The media must keep this story real and alive. For everyone who has posted amd feel very strongly then you should boycott the firms and their associates who trade with Myanmar. Yes your protest may be small, but at least you will be able to say you did something more than just write on the sunday herald site. (Posts that try to link this to Iraq, or that make jokes about boycotting Rolls Royce products allow politicians to ignore what people think.)
If you are not prepared to do this then accept that the Generals will crush these protests with the same ferocity as the Chinese in 1989 and repeat what happened in Burma in 1988.
If governments won't sanction then we must.
By Christmas Myanmar will be out of the news. Hundreds if not thousands will have "disappeared" or been killed in protests. But by Christmas the media will be bored with the same story. Look at Darfur.
The international community need to act but won't. I notice that Iraq is still mentioned continually by people here, and condemnation of the leaders who acted then. Yet there is little to no mention of the UN, China, Russia or many of the SE Asian countries who do nothing and work hand in glove with the Generals.
The media must keep this story real and alive. For everyone who has posted amd feel very strongly then you should boycott the firms and their associates who trade with Myanmar. Yes your protest may be small, but at least you will be able to say you did something more than just write on the sunday herald site. (Posts that try to link this to Iraq, or that make jokes about boycotting Rolls Royce products allow politicians to ignore what people think.)
If you are not prepared to do this then accept that the Generals will crush these protests with the same ferocity as the Chinese in 1989 and repeat what happened in Burma in 1988.
If governments won't sanction then we must.
Posted by: Naypyidaw, bad news on 11:12am Sun 30 Sep 07
US assessors are Gaffney, Cline & Associates,
DR. J.G. Ross
Photo journalist Kenji Nagai was killed by a stray bullet?
False. Watch the video-news on You tube (in Japanese).
"Rambo" actor / director Stallone received a series of death threats on the filmset.
He says on TV show Entertainment Tonight "It's the most brutal regime in the world and most sevcretive. It has an oppressive regime that (keeps all riches ) forthemselves. Everyone is forced into drugs or prostitution or slavery.
"People are escaping all the time, coming over with gaping, maggot-infested wounds, their ears cut off. . . . ."
"We were on the Salween River and we were told to get out because we were going to be shot."
Thank you Silvester.
US assessors are Gaffney, Cline & Associates,
DR. J.G. Ross
Photo journalist Kenji Nagai was killed by a stray bullet?
False. Watch the video-news on You tube (in Japanese).
"Rambo" actor / director Stallone received a series of death threats on the filmset.
He says on TV show Entertainment Tonight "It's the most brutal regime in the world and most sevcretive. It has an oppressive regime that (keeps all riches ) forthemselves. Everyone is forced into drugs or prostitution or slavery.
"People are escaping all the time, coming over with gaping, maggot-infested wounds, their ears cut off. . . . ."
"We were on the Salween River and we were told to get out because we were going to be shot."
Thank you Silvester.
Posted by: Mr Li, South East Asia on 11:54am Sun 30 Sep 07
The Burmese people need help and, sadly, there is nothing that we can do for them. As with Iraq, they have had to put up with the west killing them through futile sanctions that do nothing other than starve the people and deprive them of proper medical attention.
When will people wake up to these clowns in the USA and UK and stop them from pursuing sanctions that only hurt ordinary decent people.
The Burmese general and their army are NOT starving and are NOT depreived of medical supplies. The people are.
As for companies assisting the junta here is a newsflash to the guy that wrote the article - the Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, US and European and ASEAN countries all openly support the Burmese government as the country is rich in gas and oil resources. Everyone is taking their cut and leaving the people with little more than a large plate of rice.
The indignation and disgust should be with your own government and its futile sanctions. You murdered hundreds of thousands of iraqis through sanctions and are doing the same to the Burmese. Wake up and start to take an interest in the REAL issues and not the crap that your mediocre journalists pass on from some useless government spin doctor.
The Burmese people need help and, sadly, there is nothing that we can do for them. As with Iraq, they have had to put up with the west killing them through futile sanctions that do nothing other than starve the people and deprive them of proper medical attention.
When will people wake up to these clowns in the USA and UK and stop them from pursuing sanctions that only hurt ordinary decent people.
The Burmese general and their army are NOT starving and are NOT depreived of medical supplies. The people are.
As for companies assisting the junta here is a newsflash to the guy that wrote the article - the Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, US and European and ASEAN countries all openly support the Burmese government as the country is rich in gas and oil resources. Everyone is taking their cut and leaving the people with little more than a large plate of rice.
The indignation and disgust should be with your own government and its futile sanctions. You murdered hundreds of thousands of iraqis through sanctions and are doing the same to the Burmese. Wake up and start to take an interest in the REAL issues and not the crap that your mediocre journalists pass on from some useless government spin doctor.
Posted by: The Union of Myanmar, (Burma) on 12:04pm Sun 30 Sep 07
The Government of Myanmar recognises 135 ethnic groups
The Kachin _______ 12 tribes
The Kayah ________ 9 tribes
The Kayin (KAREN)_ 11 tribes 7%
The Chin _________ 53 tribes
The Mon __________ 1 tribe 2%
The Bamas (BURMAN)_ 9 tribes 68%
The Rakshine _____ 7 tribes 4%
The Shan _________ 33 tribes 10%
The Government of Myanmar recognises 135 ethnic groups
The Kachin _______ 12 tribes
The Kayah ________ 9 tribes
The Kayin (KAREN)_ 11 tribes 7%
The Chin _________ 53 tribes
The Mon __________ 1 tribe 2%
The Bamas (BURMAN)_ 9 tribes 68%
The Rakshine _____ 7 tribes 4%
The Shan _________ 33 tribes 10%
Posted by: ldnscot, London on 12:17pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Mr Li,
what do you suggest we do?
Military intervention?
This is not a provocative question, I honestly wonder if sanctions aren't the answer, what is?
Mr Li,
what do you suggest we do?
Military intervention?
This is not a provocative question, I honestly wonder if sanctions aren't the answer, what is?
Posted by: Emphyrio, Planet Earth on 1:26pm Sun 30 Sep 07
what do you suggest we do?
Read David Icke's books for a start. Then you will at least start to have an inkling of the magnitude of the global web that creates hell on Earth. Major Corso's book The Day After Roswell is useful too.
As he says in "Men in Black" - 1000 years ago,people were absolutely certain the Earth was flat. 500 years ago - people were absolutely certain the Earth was at the centre of the Univese. Today - you are absolutely certain we are the dominant species on Earth.
With 100 billion stars in this galaxy alone, what on Earth would make you think we are the only intelligent life?
what do you suggest we do?
Read David Icke's books for a start. Then you will at least start to have an inkling of the magnitude of the global web that creates hell on Earth. Major Corso's book The Day After Roswell is useful too.
As he says in "Men in Black" - 1000 years ago,people were absolutely certain the Earth was flat. 500 years ago - people were absolutely certain the Earth was at the centre of the Univese. Today - you are absolutely certain we are the dominant species on Earth.
With 100 billion stars in this galaxy alone, what on Earth would make you think we are the only intelligent life?
Posted by: ldnscot, London on 2:29pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Emphyrio I'm guessing you have added a comment to the wrong site.
It is this type of comment that makes engaging and understanding problems so difficult.
Yes Emphyrio it is a great race of lizard people that are running the world. Half arsed idiots like you deserve to live in the world of it's not my fault, it's someone elses.
Emphyrio I'm guessing you have added a comment to the wrong site.
It is this type of comment that makes engaging and understanding problems so difficult.
Yes Emphyrio it is a great race of lizard people that are running the world. Half arsed idiots like you deserve to live in the world of it's not my fault, it's someone elses.
Posted by: ael, amsterdam, the hague & breda on 3:13pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Yesterday at around 1.00 pm a demonstration with 150 participants took place in Amsterdam at the National Monument on the famous DAM (square) to protest against the military tyranny, organised by the Burma Center Netherlands.
Several people from Myanmar were amongst the protesters. They were wearing red headscarfs with emblems on them, a symbol for democracy.
Later that day another demonstration of 100 protesters followed in Breda. On Friday a group of fifty people from Myanmar gathered together in The Hague to express their solidarity with their compatriots in former Burma.
An SP MP repeatedly called to boycot the French tankstations Total of the company, active in Myanmar.
Yesterday at around 1.00 pm a demonstration with 150 participants took place in Amsterdam at the National Monument on the famous DAM (square) to protest against the military tyranny, organised by the Burma Center Netherlands.
Several people from Myanmar were amongst the protesters. They were wearing red headscarfs with emblems on them, a symbol for democracy.
Later that day another demonstration of 100 protesters followed in Breda. On Friday a group of fifty people from Myanmar gathered together in The Hague to express their solidarity with their compatriots in former Burma.
An SP MP repeatedly called to boycot the French tankstations Total of the company, active in Myanmar.
Posted by: No Total pullout, "the energy giant" on 7:00pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Posted by: No Total pullout, "the energy giant" on 7:00pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Posted by: No Total pullout, "the energy giant" on 7:00pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Sarkozy urged French businesses to freeze investments in Myanmar.
He said "France calls on all private companies such as Total, to exercise the greatest restraint concerning investments in Myanmar and asks that they do not make any new ones."
Total has been accused of condoning abusive labour practices in junta-ruled Myanmar, where it operates a vast gas field in the south of the country to supply power plants in neighbouring Thailand.
Message from Total - In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like restate its position regarding its presence in the country.
To those who asks us to leave the country, we reply that far from solving Myanmar's problems, a forced withdrawel would only lead to our replacement by other operators probably less committed to the ethical principles guiding all our initiatives. Our departure would cause the population even even greater hardships and is this an unacceptable risk.
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.
Posted by: bsrvd on 7:29pm Sun 30 Sep 07
seems like them frenchies are the most quoted these days, n'est-ce pas?
seems like them frenchies are the most quoted these days, n'est-ce pas?
Posted by: juan, edimbra... on 7:42pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Noit really a in depth piece of reporting I saw this article on NEWS 24 a few days back reporting on Hard wood importers in the UK and putting the cost of UK trade with burmah at less than £500,000 a year mainly in timber used in garden funrinutre (beware of cheap out doors tables!)
[bold]The guys at the digger could do better to be honest this journalist needs to get of his ****.[/bold]
Noit really a in depth piece of reporting I saw this article on NEWS 24 a few days back reporting on Hard wood importers in the UK and putting the cost of UK trade with burmah at less than £500,000 a year mainly in timber used in garden funrinutre (beware of cheap out doors tables!)
The guys at the digger could do better to be honest this journalist needs to get of his ****. Posted by: simon, glasgow on 10:00pm Sun 30 Sep 07
#No Total pullout, "the energy giant"
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.#
What a joke to give a reason of saving Burmese people from exploitation by other companies.
You should have noticed that the junta has been using your investment on buying arms and oppressing ethnic minorities rather than helping the majority.
#No Total pullout, "the energy giant"
Jean-François Lasalle,
Vice-President Public Affairs, Total Exploratation & Production.#
What a joke to give a reason of saving Burmese people from exploitation by other companies.
You should have noticed that the junta has been using your investment on buying arms and oppressing ethnic minorities rather than helping the majority.
Posted by: Mr Li, South East Asia on 3:04am Mon 1 Oct 07
ldnscot -
Dictators do not react to sanctions - I am not aware of any instance where they have? THe Burmese generals and their families are not suffering as a result of sanctions. If "sanctions" must be done, then they should be against those countries who are actively supporting the regime, principally India, China and the ASEAN nations.
My view is that this terrible situation will only come to an end when the generals are shown a way out that is better than what is in front of them and their families at the momemt. One of the Generals has sent his daughters on "holiday" to Laos so there must be some scope for starting a dialogue with some of these generals.
The fact is that the world has not bothered about Burma for so long. There are companies from the US and UK operating there, they just do so on the quiet, often using a local company as a "vehicle" so as to hide their own presence.
I do not favour sanctions and certainly don't want the UA and UK to create another disaster area in the world through military intervention.
JUst like the US does, China and India will not support any solution that jeapordises their "national interests". The world leaders should be pressurising these nations to work with them to come up with a solution that gives the generals a safe way out and safeguards Chinese and Indian interests in the country. Of course, the US does not want that last part so the Burmese people are left with some half baked effort from a "special envoy".
It is all very sad. Yet again ordinary decent people are pawns in an economic power struggle!
ldnscot -
Dictators do not react to sanctions - I am not aware of any instance where they have? THe Burmese generals and their families are not suffering as a result of sanctions. If "sanctions" must be done, then they should be against those countries who are actively supporting the regime, principally India, China and the ASEAN nations.
My view is that this terrible situation will only come to an end when the generals are shown a way out that is better than what is in front of them and their families at the momemt. One of the Generals has sent his daughters on "holiday" to Laos so there must be some scope for starting a dialogue with some of these generals.
The fact is that the world has not bothered about Burma for so long. There are companies from the US and UK operating there, they just do so on the quiet, often using a local company as a "vehicle" so as to hide their own presence.
I do not favour sanctions and certainly don't want the UA and UK to create another disaster area in the world through military intervention.
JUst like the US does, China and India will not support any solution that jeapordises their "national interests". The world leaders should be pressurising these nations to work with them to come up with a solution that gives the generals a safe way out and safeguards Chinese and Indian interests in the country. Of course, the US does not want that last part so the Burmese people are left with some half baked effort from a "special envoy".
It is all very sad. Yet again ordinary decent people are pawns in an economic power struggle!
Posted by: clairemac, the west on 8:07pm Mon 1 Oct 07
The international community needs to take serious action. Serious action involves acting in the interest of those oppressed, and not being swayed, at any level, by self interest.
Like ldnscot I am unsure what courses of action can effectively be taken. Individual action is one thing but I have a feeling this requires countries, governments, to act. It is clear that we (our nations) have all been complicit in this travesty - a state of affairs that extends way beyond Burma.
What can we do? What should we put pressure on our elected representatives to do? Would a multi-national boycott of the Olympics in 2008 give China a message they need to hear? Couldn't hurt. Could it?
The international community needs to take serious action. Serious action involves acting in the interest of those oppressed, and not being swayed, at any level, by self interest.
Like ldnscot I am unsure what courses of action can effectively be taken. Individual action is one thing but I have a feeling this requires countries, governments, to act. It is clear that we (our nations) have all been complicit in this travesty - a state of affairs that extends way beyond Burma.
What can we do? What should we put pressure on our elected representatives to do? Would a multi-national boycott of the Olympics in 2008 give China a message they need to hear? Couldn't hurt. Could it?
Posted by: Wini, UK on 3:36pm Tue 2 Oct 07
Who is making all these easy to make accusations. i.e. child rape. It wouldn't be the monks and their supporters by any chance?
The ‘revolution’ wouldn’t have anything to do with the banning the monks from asking/demanding alms/money on the streets would it? As it was in other countries.
Who is making all these easy to make accusations. i.e. child rape. It wouldn't be the monks and their supporters by any chance?
The ‘revolution’ wouldn’t have anything to do with the banning the monks from asking/demanding alms/money on the streets would it? As it was in other countries.
Posted by: Mark S, London on 5:46am Fri 5 Oct 07
Neil, did you write this on the bus on the way home?
Neil, did you write this on the bus on the way home?
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