"A day earlier, troops with automatic rifles fired into crowds of anti-government demonstrators, reportedly killing at least nine people in the bloodiest day in more than a month of protests demanding an end to military rule.
The governement also cut Internet connections Friday, according to reports, severing a vital information link that has been used to digitally smuggle images of the violent suppression out of the secretive state."
- CNN
The governement also cut Internet connections Friday, according to reports, severing a vital information link that has been used to digitally smuggle images of the violent suppression out of the secretive state."
- CNN
---
They marched peacefully across the country reciting mantras, ohms and sutras along the way. Organized and protected by its people - seen in smuggled photos forming long queues and holding hands to protect the revered ones in the middle, they are the last best hope for change in that forsaken nation longing for freedom. Thousands of saffron-robed monks; instead of begging for food and water, they are begging to be heard by the world. In an oppressed society such as those in Burma, they are the only voice that could strike deep fear at the very heart of the corrupt junta that ruled over the land.
Last Thursday, word got out that these Buddhist monks and their supporters were violently suppressed and dispersed by the military. CNN made sure that the world would know the brutality against them. Teargas were thrown in the streets and rubber bullets rained from the sky. However, these bullets were mixed by real fatal ones. In the end, bloodbath and chaos reigned in the aftermath.
Analysts called the event "Saffron Revolution" after the monks who lead these protests all over Burma. According to the news, these mass disturbances were triggered by the sudden surge in basic commodity prices. This happened after the authoritarian military regime decided that the government will cut its fuel subsidy resulting to a 500% increase in gas prices. In a country where poverty never fails to show its ugly face, such oppression is too much to bear. The Buddhist monks, whose only wish is to return the favor to the people who fed them decided to take matters in their own hands.
They lead the mass demonstrations that earned the sympathy of the world community.
But not the governments that lead them.
In my own sad and gloomy analysis, this revolution is bound to fail for one simple reason: No foreign power will dare to directly intervene in behalf of the people of Myanmar. Every current regime has its own guilt feelings about their failed past actions that when reminded, struck deep regret and confusion among their leaders. In the current global order, every nation who has a part to play to change the fate of Burma is ruled by either a dimwit or a technocrat. We all know what Bush did to Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead of bringing peace and order to these nations through military intervention, these countries are, but almost a failed state already. China, who is dubbed as the regional power in this part of the globe will never lift a finger in favor of Democracy. Remembering its own Tienanmen nightmare and Tibetan occupation, they would rather stay quiet about Myanmar rather than risk exposing its own rotting domestic policies.
Finally, in the region known as South East Asia, leaders around here are no better than the global players themselves. The Philippine government has a very long (and celebrated moments of oppression) courtesy of Gloria Arroyo. Singapore and Malaysia are ruled by autocratic governments, who would simply ignore Burmese desire to choose their own destiny rather than risk exposing their own fragmented society. Indonesia faces the constant threat of Islamic terrorism while Thailand and Vietnam are ruled by a military junta as well.
If you sum up all these factors, the people of Myanmar seems to be left alone to grapple their own fate.
Their only hope in bringing the military regime to its knees is a long and bloody civil war. But with the opposition factions already crushed and defeated a long time ago, such possibility is only but a dream among the stars.
Who would have thought that the real and present dystopia is as harsh as this. In a time where emerging technologies, relentless materialism, ruthless violence, growing environmental troubles, Britney Spearian-pop culture, religious fanaticism and self-serving technocratic governments blend to form a world picture, I wonder,
What's in store for us in the coming future.
---
India - India, another important nation bordering Myanmar, was earlier reluctant to comment anything on the situation, although in a major boost to the ruling junta, India's oil ministry has decided to invest US$150 million in gas exploration in Myanmar. On 26th September, however, it broke its silence over the issue and said.
Last Thursday, word got out that these Buddhist monks and their supporters were violently suppressed and dispersed by the military. CNN made sure that the world would know the brutality against them. Teargas were thrown in the streets and rubber bullets rained from the sky. However, these bullets were mixed by real fatal ones. In the end, bloodbath and chaos reigned in the aftermath.
Analysts called the event "Saffron Revolution" after the monks who lead these protests all over Burma. According to the news, these mass disturbances were triggered by the sudden surge in basic commodity prices. This happened after the authoritarian military regime decided that the government will cut its fuel subsidy resulting to a 500% increase in gas prices. In a country where poverty never fails to show its ugly face, such oppression is too much to bear. The Buddhist monks, whose only wish is to return the favor to the people who fed them decided to take matters in their own hands.
They lead the mass demonstrations that earned the sympathy of the world community.
But not the governments that lead them.
In my own sad and gloomy analysis, this revolution is bound to fail for one simple reason: No foreign power will dare to directly intervene in behalf of the people of Myanmar. Every current regime has its own guilt feelings about their failed past actions that when reminded, struck deep regret and confusion among their leaders. In the current global order, every nation who has a part to play to change the fate of Burma is ruled by either a dimwit or a technocrat. We all know what Bush did to Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead of bringing peace and order to these nations through military intervention, these countries are, but almost a failed state already. China, who is dubbed as the regional power in this part of the globe will never lift a finger in favor of Democracy. Remembering its own Tienanmen nightmare and Tibetan occupation, they would rather stay quiet about Myanmar rather than risk exposing its own rotting domestic policies.
Finally, in the region known as South East Asia, leaders around here are no better than the global players themselves. The Philippine government has a very long (and celebrated moments of oppression) courtesy of Gloria Arroyo. Singapore and Malaysia are ruled by autocratic governments, who would simply ignore Burmese desire to choose their own destiny rather than risk exposing their own fragmented society. Indonesia faces the constant threat of Islamic terrorism while Thailand and Vietnam are ruled by a military junta as well.If you sum up all these factors, the people of Myanmar seems to be left alone to grapple their own fate.
Their only hope in bringing the military regime to its knees is a long and bloody civil war. But with the opposition factions already crushed and defeated a long time ago, such possibility is only but a dream among the stars.
Who would have thought that the real and present dystopia is as harsh as this. In a time where emerging technologies, relentless materialism, ruthless violence, growing environmental troubles, Britney Spearian-pop culture, religious fanaticism and self-serving technocratic governments blend to form a world picture, I wonder,
What's in store for us in the coming future.
---
India - India, another important nation bordering Myanmar, was earlier reluctant to comment anything on the situation, although in a major boost to the ruling junta, India's oil ministry has decided to invest US$150 million in gas exploration in Myanmar. On 26th September, however, it broke its silence over the issue and said.
China - China is one of the closest allies and economic supporters of the ruling junta in Myanmar. In China's first official comment on the protests, Zhang Zhijun, a vice minister of the party's International Department, said Beijing has had minimal contact with either side and would abide by its long-term policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of its allies. Although the Chinese government has quietly urged Myanmar's military rulers to ease the strife despite it says that it would publicly stick to a hands-off approach toward its neighbor.
- Wikipedia, International Reaction to the 2007 Burmese Uprising.
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