BS: Burma

Subject: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:21 AM

Who's doing what to try helping the Burmese people? I was hoping this thread could be a place to put ideas about thinks people have done, are doing and could do to assist the people of that country. Just don't seem right to sit on our asses and talk about the weather.

1) I tried to e-mail various ministries of their government and the e-mails came back as undeliverable.

2) I wrote to my own government and am still awaiting an answer.

3) I will be writing to Bush and asking whether he's got a few B-52s he could use to drop some ordnance on the leadership--they are not in the capitol city anymore.

Any other ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:28 AM

(Well, he did say that the USA was in the business of spreading Democracy.)

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: pdq
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:50 AM

If we fix their politics, can we start importing stuff again? I want a can of Burma Shave.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:53 AM

"A Western diplomat said that Senior General Than Shwe, who controls the junta, favoured crushing the protests with even more extreme violence.

Hla Htay Win is seen as a loyal follower of Than Shwe's deputy and potential rival, Vice Senior General Mg Aye, who is sometimes portrayed as a moderate.

At the height of the government's brutal crackdown last week there were widespread rumours that some troops in Rangoon had refused orders to fire on unarmed protesters. Rumours also suggest that Than Shwe was sufficiently worried as the street protests grew to send his family to safety in Dubai.

Miss Villarosa accused Than Shwe of personally ordering the violence, saying: "The stories are that he is isolated and that his staff are afraid to give him bad news but we do believe that he is the one to give the orders to crack down, so he is not totally out of touch."

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:55 AM

One place to start is with a boycott of all Chinese goods. "Money doesn't speak, it swears" from the Gospel of Bob.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 11:03 AM

Cameraman Kenji Nagai's shooting is on Youtube.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: 3refs
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 11:15 AM

I know we're not supposed to cut and paste, so please go to this sight and watch what happens when the world does nothing!
Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 11:28 AM

He and his soldiers were responsible for saving about 20,000 lives. Perhaps not much in the grand scheme of things, but more than most accomplish in a life. Thanks for posting that, 3refs.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: bobad
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:05 PM

I received this letter from AVAAZ, a group with which I signed a petition and signed up to receive info from. They are doing what they can to try and halt the madness.

Dear friends,

Our emergency petition to stop the crackdown on peaceful protesters in Burma is exploding, with nearly 500,000 signers from every nation of the world. But the situation in Burma remains desperate, with reports of hundreds of monks being massacred and tortured. Burma's rulers have also killed and expelled international journalists, cutting off global media coverage of their cruelty.

China is still the key - the country with the most power to halt the Burmese generals' reign of terror. We're delivering our message this week with a massive ad campaign in major newspapers, beginning with a full page ad in the Financial Times worldwide tomorrow, and in the South China Morning Post on Thursday. The strength of the ad comes from the number of petition signers listed � can we reach our goal of 1 million signatures this week? The link to sign the petition and view the ad is below, forward this email to all your friends and family!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php

China continues to provide key economic and military support to Burma's dictatorship, but it has been openly critical of the crackdown. Now we need the government to match words with actions. Our ad paints a powerful moment of choice for China in its relationship with the world � will it be a responsible and respected member of the global community, or will it be associated with tyranny and oppression?

People power, on the streets of Burma, and around the world, can triumph over tyranny. Our strength is in our numbers, spread the word!

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Paul, Ben, Graziela, Pascal, Galit and the whole Avaaz team.

For the best local reporting on the situation in Burma, try these links:

http://www.irrawaddy.org

http://www.mizzima.com

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:06 PM

Thanks, Bobad.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:12 PM

I just signed, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:16 PM

Thanks, bobad. I was just about to post the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:37 PM

Myanmar's Attacks on Protesters Draw Fire From China, Russia

By Bill Varner

Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) -- China and Russia were among the 47 members of the United Nations Human Rights Council to unanimously adopt a resolution that ``strongly deplores'' the Myanmar government's crackdown on the biggest pro-democracy protests in almost 20 years.

The resolution, adopted today in Geneva at a special session of the Human Rights Council, criticized the ``continued violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar, including through beatings, killings and arbitrary detentions.''

The measure, one of the toughest issued by the year-old body, also urged Myanmar's military leaders to stop attacks on peaceful protesters, release political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and take steps toward democratic government.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 07:43 PM

Amnesty International has sent up a letter to sign HERE.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 03:33 PM

As long as the UN takes such strong action, and "deplores" what it does nothing to prevent we can all rest easy...

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 03:36 PM

Fu#k the UN, too! I e-mailed them the following yesterday--and have of course heard nothing back:

"Given that the UN has been powerless to stop massacres in Africa and Asia, why does the organization say it represents the people of this world? I used to be a supporter of the UN.

NO MORE.

[My name and address here]

PS--yes, I have heard you 'must be invited in to help' by the government in charge of the country needing help. That's like asking the rapist to request a police inquiry into his guilt or innocence. It sounds good, but it doesn't work. The UN has become a waste of money."

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 03:37 PM

The dumb fu#ks are probably wondering which country to give it to.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 12:20 PM

If we had some Starbucks or McDonalds there it might help but unless they find oil there their outlook is grim and probably worse than Tibet.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 12:46 PM

I've been listening to a number of people on television talking about this. Right now there are bi-partisan hearings going on in the legislature with a panel of Senators Boxer, Kerry, McConnell, Murkowski, and some others.

The point is made repeatedly that just talking about it is of no avail but there are people who are out there.

They make the point that the junta in Burma, rather than being a country that has an army, is more a military that has a country.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 10:11 AM

Talk, schmock. People who lead 'armies' of that sort understand ordnance. Not reason, not "let's make nice". Beat the fu#kers to their knees and give 'em one when they try to sand up. Then shoot the bastards and spare the expense of a trial.

Have a nice day.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 10:12 AM

It is really too bad that Burma doesn't have any oil to speak of.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:29 PM

From https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html

Burma:

Natural resources:   
petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower


...

Oil - production:   
9,500 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - consumption:   
20,460 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:   
5,000 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - imports:   
19,180 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:   
less than 50 million bbl (1 January 2005)
Natural gas - production:   
10.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:   
2.7 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:   
7.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:   
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:   
283.2 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:44 PM

I meant real oil, BB.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:45 PM

Exports:   
$3.56 billion f.o.b.
note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:   
gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice, clothing, jade and gems
Exports - partners:   
Thailand 49%, India 12.8%, China 5.3%, Japan 5.2% (2006)
Imports:   
$1.98 billion f.o.b.
note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:   
fabric, petroleum products, fertilizer, plastics, machinery, transport equipment; cement, construction materials, crude oil; food products, edible oil
Imports - partners:   
China 34.6%, Thailand 21.8%, Singapore 16.2%, Malaysia 4.7%, South Korea 4.3% (2006)

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:46 PM

Note major trading partners- I think that China has control in this situation...

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:48 PM

Yep. One of the provinces--can't recall which, BB.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 01:51 PM

more info:

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Burma is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked to East and Southeast Asia for sexual exploitation, domestic service, and forced commercial labor; a significant number of victims are economic migrants who wind up in forced or bonded labor and forced prostitution; to a lesser extent, Burma is a country of transit and destination for women trafficked from China for sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of persons occurs primarily for labor in industrial zones and agricultural estates; internal trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation occurs from villages to urban centers and other areas; the military junta's economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and policy of using forced labor are driving factors behind Burma's large trafficking problem
tier rating: Tier 3 - Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so

Illicit drugs:   

remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an estimated production in 2005 of 380 metric tons, up 13% from 2004 and cultivation in 2005 was 40,000 hectares, a 10% increase from 2004; the decline in opium production in the United Wa State Army's areas of greatest control was more than offset by increases in south and east Shan state; lack of government will to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate money-laundering controls (2005)

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 01:16 PM

I just received a response from my Member of Parliament. Canada has imposed some good sanctions--as of November 14.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 02:02 PM

It's a start:

'"Each of these factors contravenes what our foreign policy stands for," he said. "Each is rejected by governments of countries we share our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Each is an affront to the United Nations Charter."

"The question is simple," he declared. "What can we Canadians do? What can we do as Canadians to force change?"

His answer was to announce what he described as "the toughest sanctions in the world" against Burma.

Canada will immediately ban all exports to and from Burma with the exception of humanitarian aid.
It will freeze assets in Canada of Burmese nationals connected with the government.

It will prohibit Canadian financial services to and from Burma and it will prohibit the export of any technical data to Burma.

There will be a ban on all new investment in Burma by Canadians and Canadian-registered ships and aircraft will be prohibited from docking or landing in Burma.

Burmese shipping and aircraft will not be allowed to enter Canada.'

from the www.

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: Peace
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 08:06 PM

Response to an e-mail I sent (in early October of 2007).


The Office of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, has
forwarded to me on October 1, 2007, your email concerning the situation
in Burma. I regret the delay in replying to you.

I share your concern about the situation in Burma and the safety and
well-being of its people. Over the last months I have made several
statements on Burma. I have strongly reiterated Canada's condemnation of the
use of deadly force by the military and police against monks and other
protesters in Burma who were exercising their right to peaceful
dissent. I sent a Canadian diplomat to Rangoon to assess the situation and to
show Canada's support for the democratic movement. Canadian embassies
and high commissions around the world have been working with
representatives of other like-minded countries to seek creative solutions and to
coordinate our approach to Burma. In Ottawa, senior officials of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) called in the Burmese
Chargé d'affaires to ensure that Canada's interest in this matter was
clearly understood.

I have also called upon the Government of Burma to release all
political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. On October 2, 2007, I stated
at the United Nations General Assembly that it was imperative to restore
democracy and human rights in Burma. I invite you to view my news
releases and statements on Burma at
w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/ListPublications.aspx?isRedirect=True&PubTypeId=261&Year=2007&language=E.

On October 17, 2007, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime
Minister, tabled a motion in the House of Commons to confer honorary
citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi, which was adopted by all party agreement. In
doing so, he stated: " We must ally ourselves with those in the world who
share our values, and especially those who are denied them.... The
adoption of today's motion sends a message to her, her people, and the
world, that Canada stands up for the universal values that are under siege
in Burma today."

On November 14, 2007, I announced that Canada intends to impose
economic sanctions against Burma under the Special Economic Measures Act in
order to demonstrate Canada's abhorrence for the regime's complete
disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of
Burma. These sanctions, the toughest in the world, will:

*ban all goods exported from Canada to Burma, with the exception of the
export of humanitarian goods;
*ban all goods imported from Burma into Canada;
*freeze assets in Canada of any designated Burmese nationals connected
with the Burmese state;
*prohibit the provision of Canadian financial services to and from
Burma;
*prohibit the export of any technical data to Burma;
*ban new investment in Burma by Canadian persons and companies;
*prohibit Canadian-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing
in Burma; and
*prohibit Burmese-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing
in Canada and passing through Canada.

Furthermore, a number of measures have been taken at the multilateral
level to address this situation. At the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting in
New York on September 26, 2007, I joined my counterparts in unanimously
condemning the violence in Burma and calling for a resumption of
dialogue. Canada continues to urge Burma's neighbours such as China and
India to encourage Burma to undertake genuine reform.

On October 12, 2007, I issued a news release following the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) statement on Burma, which strongly deplores
the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and emphasizes the
importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining
detainees. Moreover, Canada welcomes the UNSC's reaffirmation of its
strong and unwavering support for the mission of Mr. Ibrahim Gambari,
the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Burma, as well as its
recognition of the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council
on October 2, 2007. Canada also welcomes the efforts of Mr. Paulo
Sérgio Pinheiro, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights in Myanmar, to address the situation in Burma, and has called
upon the Government of Burma to facilitate his work.

Canada will continue to work with the international community to put
pressure on the Burmese government to respect the human rights and
fundamental freedom of the people of Burma, and engage in a genuine dialogue
with the democratic opposition.

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of
Canadian foreign policy. Canada will continue to stand up for human rights
and take principled positions on important issues to ensure that
freedom, democracy and the rule of law, values that define our country, are
enjoyed around the world.

Thank you for writing and sharing your concerns.



(The above is from Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairts.)

Subject: RE: BS: Burma
From: beardedbruce
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 02:05 PM

Washington Post

Decision Time in Burma

By R. Nicholas Burns
Tuesday, January 8, 2008; Page A19

Three months have passed since the world called on Burma's dictators, Gens. Than Shwe and Maung Aye, to end their brutal crackdown on tens of thousands of peaceful monks and other demonstrators and begin a genuine dialogue with Burma's democratic and ethnic minority leaders -- with the goal of a transition to democracy. The time has come for them to act.

With the strong backing of the U.N. Security Council, U.N. special adviser Ibrahim Gambari has made two trips to Burma since the crackdown to try to facilitate a dialogue. Through him, democratic leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has reaffirmed her willingness to participate in a "meaningful and time-bound" dialogue to be joined by representatives of the country's ethnic minority groups.

This is a rare opportunity to help put Burma on the path to democratic civilian rule and to greater stability and prosperity. But while the regime initially made a few unremarkable gestures, such as appointing an official to interact with Aung San Suu Kyi and allowing her to meet once with a few democratic colleagues, it has since halted even this hint of progress and, in fact, has moved backward.

It has continued to arrest activists and harass Buddhist monks, recently closing a monastery that served as an AIDS hospice. Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest, and the junta has refused her request to have two colleagues serve as liaisons to the government. On Dec. 3, senior regime officials delivered their harshest comments yet, rejecting any role for the opposition in drafting the constitution, blaming Aung San Suu Kyi for the lack of progress on a dialogue and describing the September demonstrations it suppressed as "trivial."

The United States does not regard such violence and the beating, detention and reported torture of peaceful protesters, including monks, as trivial. As first lady Laura Bush has said, "it seems the generals are indifferent to the Burmese people's suffering, but the rest of the world is not."

Dialogue would enable the Burmese people, through legitimate political and ethnic representatives, to discuss with the regime ways to broaden the political process -- including participation in the drafting of a constitution. This way the results will have legitimacy and popular support, allowing the full array of talent available in Burmese society to tackle the country's many problems. While the regime argues that it is the only force capable of keeping the country unified and that any change outside its control risks turmoil and instability, the reality is that the regime and its policies are the greatest threat to Burma's unity, stability and prosperity. The military rulers have brought about a steady decline in living standards and a deterioration in educational and public health systems. They have caused a continuing flow of refugees, narcotics and dangerous diseases into neighboring countries, and have so distressed and frustrated the people that they took to the streets by the thousands despite the risk of brutal suppression.

This is a horrendous track record, but Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders have nevertheless said that the Burmese military has an important role to play in a peaceful transition to democracy. With Than Shwe and Maung Aye showing no willingness to move in this direction, many in their regime should be increasingly uncomfortable with their policies and the country's direction.

The United States wants to see a strong, prosperous, stable and free Burma. We are convinced that the only way to achieve this objective is through the sort of broad national dialogue that U.N. special adviser Gambari is trying to facilitate with Security Council support. That's why it is critical that China, India, the ASEAN countries and Burma's other neighbors use any and all influence to support the U.N. effort and press the regime to initiate a dialogue. It is also why the United Nations should quicken the pace of its diplomacy.

As part of this effort, the United States will continue to target regime leaders and their cronies with sanctions. President Bush has promised that our country will continue to pressure the Burmese dictators to ensure that there is no return to business as usual. The world must not turn its back on the people of Burma and allow the regime's disregard for human dignity to continue. Together, we must apply sustained and strong pressure while making clear that a successful dialogue leading to a political transition would enable Burma to make a full return to the international system.

There are steps the junta could take immediately that would signal its seriousness -- releasing Aung San Suu Kyi and others, allowing them freedom of association and ending the ongoing crackdown. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Gambari plans to return to Burma soon. It is time for the generals to tell him -- and the Burmese people -- that they will begin a genuine dialogue and take the steps necessary for it to succeed. The time has come to ask the senior generals: What are you waiting for?

The writer is U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs.