Thursday, September 20, 2007
Myanmar Protest
Two days ago, on September 18th, Buddhist monks in Myanmar marched in protest against the 500% increase in fuel prices. The date holds much importance with these monks because it is the anniversary of the State Peace and Development Council. A more commonly known name for Myanmar is Burma, which is still used to identify the country. Myanmar has been under military rule since a coup in 1962.
Around one thousand people were tear-gassed, both monks and civilians (including Muslims). Plainclothes police and members of the much-feared USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association) had followed the protest and photographed and videotaped the monks.
The government finds the monks as a huge threat. In 1998, the monasteries were a key role in a nationwide uprising against military rule. The generals are very careful with how they handle the monks.
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Indeed, this is a very important international issue that everyone should consider looking into. Myanmar is currently ruled by an undemocratic military regime that has long been criticized for its violation upon human rights and its economic failures. This military government, which has gone as far as house arresting the Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, has consistently detained non-violent, pro-democracy protestors. This is an absolute cataclysm of a government that should be overthrown immediately. The U.S should stop with their isolationist tactics and and do something more productive than "Western Sanctions" that only hurt the very people that they are trying to help. By no means am I promoting a trivial Iraq-esque declaration of war, but I am advertising increased interaction or even CIA intervention with Myanmar/Burma. Yes it may appear radical, but I beleive it is necessary at this point in time. The dictatorship is overtly disregarding the very civil liberties, human rights, and democratic ideals that have progressed the entire world into what it is today. (Some may argue that it hasnt progressed, but the economic, social, and political growth proves otherwise.) Indonesia is a perfect example of a nation who has previously suffered under an oppressive, autocratic government. President Suharto (The leader of the "New Order" government) abused his excessive power and corrupted the entire political system so that he was re-elected to power for three consecutive decades. If Myanmar has to put up with ecomomic problems such as the recent fuel-price spike or any extreme societal oppression for thrity more years, I doubt there will be any more peaceful demonstrations. I'm not saying this will happen, but once those monks get fed up and desperate enough to go buy some AK-47s or RPGs, its not going to be pretty... WHY CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!
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