Went to the beach last weekend. So I read a book about Burma--British colony to now (2002)--by a reporter who has done extensive travel in Burma--including a lot of aspects the current regime doesn't want publicized. (What else are you supposed to do at the beach?)

Fascinating. And the Chinese connection is truly amazing. According to this author (in 2002) Burma provides gems, teak and food--and now meth and heroin--to China. And China in return provides--almost everything.   If you think the West imports too many Chinese goods, it's nothing compared to the stranglehold China has on Burma.

And the Burmese regime is truly loathsome. Among other things, they have deep connections to illegal drugs. Lin Mingxian, former Burmese Communist (Chinese extraction) now (2002) has control of an opium-rich wilderness bordering China, Laos and Thailand. In return for keeping the peace and "contributions" to high Burmese officials, Lin has full autonomy in the Mongla region--including business concessions in gold, timber, gems-and tacit permission to trade in opium. Also transshipment of laborers from China through Thailand.

And he is one of many.

The warlords are also branching out into meth. In 1999 a pill cost less than 10 cents to make. At the Thai border, worth 70 cents. In Bangkok up to $3.00.

The author says narcotics is Burma's only growth industry.

One of the main problems is that there is a group which Aung San Sun Kyi has called the regime's Hitler Youth. Indeed, at a rally of a "nationalist organization" called the "Union Solidarity Development Association", a Burmese general urged the crowd to kill Aung. And soon after her car was stoned by a mob in a well-planned attack. Joining the USDA (not quite the same as in the US) is compulsory for government officials, and access to education, housing, health care is often dependent on membership. Aung's group is often denied medical care.

There's a LOT more, but it's late.