China has called for the Burmese junta to stop its use of force, but I doubt it will use anything more than words. It is more closely and visibly linked with Burma than Darfur so there is some hope it will be more vigorous in attempting to prevent a diplomatic black eye, however meager that hope might be.
You always hope that in situations like this it will end like Spain with soldiers standing down and joining the protesters, but if the soldiers in Rangoon are firing on monks, raiding monasteries. and blocking monks' entrances to worship, you have to imagine that they'll do pretty much anything.
I remember during the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989 one of the pro-democracy students pleaded with a journalist "tell the world what's going on here," as if it would make a difference.
The Chinese government is completely immobile when it comes to outside pressure. It is very adept at turning any criticism of it into a criticism of the Chinese people, who then turn on the foreigners instead of their own regime.
it is important to remember though, that no matter how complicit China is in the situation in Burma, it is the Burmese junta, and soldiers who should know better, who are the ones truly at fault.
If China is backing the junta I assume it is because they want a presence in the subcontinent. A waystation as they continue to build influence in the real goal, Africa.
Friendly ports for their navy, perhaps an airbase, and just being an irritation to India next door. Burma has a lot of resources. But and minerals and wood probably aren't that important.
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
You always hope that in situations like this it will end like Spain with soldiers standing down and joining the protesters, but if the soldiers in Rangoon are firing on monks, raiding monasteries. and blocking monks' entrances to worship, you have to imagine that they'll do pretty much anything.
The Chinese government is completely immobile when it comes to outside pressure. It is very adept at turning any criticism of it into a criticism of the Chinese people, who then turn on the foreigners instead of their own regime.
it is important to remember though, that no matter how complicit China is in the situation in Burma, it is the Burmese junta, and soldiers who should know better, who are the ones truly at fault.
Friendly ports for their navy, perhaps an airbase, and just being an irritation to India next door. Burma has a lot of resources. But and minerals and wood probably aren't that important.
Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, a former intelligence officer for Burma's ruling junta has revealed.
The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: "Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand."
Mr Win, who spoke out as a Swedish diplomat predicted that the revolt has failed, said he fled when he was ordered to take part in a massacre of holy men. He has now reached the border with Thailand.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.