Myanmar: Updates From 26 September

YouTube user dennisbier09 has posted two video clips and writes

This 2 part video shows both Monks and ordinary civilians protesting the military government in Myanmar (Burma). The footage was taken on a rainy Monday afternoon in the former capital of Yangon (Rangoon) on September 24, 2007.

Awzar Thi has collected pictures on the protests uploaded by Myanmar bloggers at Saffron Revolution.

Thailand based Bangkok Dazed is thinking about his friends in Myanmar

I received a couple of e-mails this afternoon from friends in Yangon. One describes the current situation as “Very, very tense. Our school is getting closed down starting tomorrow. Don't know what's going to happen next.” Another local said that “Here they started fighting in downtown today. It seems bad. I will write later. I don't know how long we will have internet … maybe they will cut soon.” I’ve been surfing online constantly the past few days, trying to get updates on the ongoing situation. Supposedly a curfew is now in effect for Yangon and Mandalay.

Meanwhile, Malaysian politician Lim Ki Siang is urging Malaysia and the regional grouping ASEAN to do more to avoid a bloodbath in Myanmar.

Malaysia and ASEAN must come into the very forefront in regional and international efforts to support a peaceful resolution of the monk-led mass protest marches in Rangoon and Mandalay especially as ASEAN had given the Myanmar military junta a new legitimacy and fresh lease of life by admitting Myanmar into ASEAN ten years ago.

In an earlier post, the politician cautions China and India, the neighbors and supporters of Myamar's ruling junta

China – and in particular the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 – and India will not be able to escape adverse international repercussions of a bloodbath in Myanmar as they will be blamed for giving support to the Myanmar military junta and turning a blind eye to the bloody crackdown in the country.

Myanmar blogger Yangon Thu shares her thoughts on the happenings in Myanmar. The blogger urges readers to sign a petition requesting

China to influence Burma Junta's actions against the peaceful protesters and also to stop intervening with the UN's work for the people of Burma.

Indian blogger at The Acron feels that China, India and Thailand are not in a position to influence the ruling regime in Myanmar.

External actors—excluding China—have no real levers. And as Chandra asked, how seriously can we expect China to ask the junta to introduce democracy. So Chinese advice will only be limited to telling the junta not to exacerbate the situation by spilling blood. That’s similar to the reaction of ASEAN’s secretary-general. Thailand, which might once have taken a bold position on democracy, is currently under military rule. So you won’t hear much from the Thais either.India’s UPA government—in crisis-mode and with talk of elections next year—is likely to adopt a similar approach. No, the Indian navy won’t be conducting exercises off Myanmar’s shores. The same goes for the US Pacific Fleet.

Bangok Dazed ridicules the approach taken by the United States. American president George Bush announced more sanctions against Myanmar.

More sanctions? What is that going to accomplish at this point? But that’s typical of Bush-style diplomacy: call the country evil, impose sanctions on it, and don’t attempt to actually sit down and talk with anyone.

22 comments

  • […] Ko Htikis blogg och Saffron revolution(Rule of Lords). Global Voices är alltid bra och de har en uppdatering om Myanmar/Burma från igår. Speciellt så kan jag rekomendera att titta på demonstrationsfilmen som ligger ute på youtube, […]

  • As an outsider, my heart goes out to the Burmese people. Whilst they challenge the Rule of Order, I pray that their demands for change is met.

    General Shwe should “think” carefully before using more deadly measures to re-condition his people to terminate their efforts for seld-determination.

    *A spiritual people needs only the guidance of their hearts to drive their minds into acting as ONE worthy of BEING.*

  • CK Lim

    What are the Asian countries governments doing? Are they standing on the side line watching Myanmar soldiers killing her citizens? Where is their engagement with Myanmar government -the very aim that they told the world when they accepted Myanmar in the ASIAN, why are they not coming out to voice their concerns? Are they afraid of freedom; that will overthrow their authoritarian governments?
    If they are not afraid they should for a start – the ASIAN government should just cut complete ties with the military government. – Asian government should stop going businesses with Myanmar generals!!!

  • buddhist nature

    Keep the videos coming! Let the world know what is happening in Myanmar! As a US citizen, I called the Myanmar Embassy, got the secretary to the ambassador and asked why her country was murdering monks!

  • peter

    I think that the ASEAN should give more pressure on the junta government, in the other words, they should warned over Myanmar junta a suspension of the ASEAN membership for if there is more violated incidents keep on happening. And a group of international representatives should be send in to meet the head of the junta in order to persuade them to solve it more appropriately.

  • mark crockett

    As a westner here in the UK i feel so powerless other than to say that the people of Burma are in my prayers and that of my spirtual community. May peace be with you all.
    Mark

  • Michael Nguyen

    China can be found on records of supporing all dictatorship regimes in the world. Look at North Korea with a hafl of its population do not have food to survive. Look at Zimbabue, Sudan, and now Myanma … and they all have China supports. What China is doing? This goverment has tried to best to protect dictatorships and authoritarian juntos. So, how’s a country who always support evils allowed to host the World Olympic? Please, enough to enought! China is not deserved to hold this event. Stop this biggest evil! Stop the most giant authoritarian junta of China!

    Michael N.

  • La sequenza struggente della catena umana che protegge il prezioso serpente rosso dei monaci in marcia è l’immagine più preziosa di questa ennesima tragedia umanitaria. Domani indosserò qualcosa di rosso per sentirmi idealmente unito agli eroi di Burma : almeno questo, poi penseremo ad altro.
    Chi ha causato tutto questo non se la caverà !!

  • mahathir_fan

    Still very unclear to me is what are the monks protesting? What do the monks want? Before we jump in and support the monks unconditionally it is important to first hear both sides of the story, in the interest of impartiality.

  • Let China knows to stop sucking the blood of Myanmar people. Other wise their future generation will have to pay back the price of the blood.

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