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Monday, 5 October 2009 at 03:38

Burma’s Allies Side with U.S. and Free World

Posted in Asia with tags Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma, China, India, Russia, SAnctions on October 5, 2009 by buffalohair

Shwe and Prisoners

The “Big Three” Russia, China and India joined ranks with the world in demanding Daw Aung Suu Kyi and political prisoners be released. At the same time the junta sent a liaison (Aung Kyi) to open discussions with Aung Suu Kyi as well. In a perfect world this would be wonderful news but since it’s not, I refrain from to much jubilation. Call me the eternal skeptic but over the years I’ve become very jaded by potentially promising events. There is no question having the Big Three onboard with the rest of the world has raised the stakes indeed.

Speculation abounds as to the direction Than Shwe may choose to go at this juncture. Ham strung by alliances with ethnic ceasefire groups China has grown distant causing alarm within the ranks of Burma’s generals. India, with growing investments in Burma and the UK, also finds themselves in a precarious position. Then there is Mother Russia’s involvement in the junta’s nuclear program and other technologies. Personally I don’t really think Putin and the boys care one way or the other. Russia does not have the Achilles Tendon of corporate interests like the other two nations. And they could give a flying crappola about what anyone thinks. But none the less they are onboard and that’s a good thing.

Will Than Shwe alienate himself from his staunches allies, only time will tell. But if he uses the chemical weaponry he is placing along the Chinese border at this time he might discover exactly how entrenched these ethnic groups are with China. Not so optimistic about the situation along her border, China has already begun to build refugee centers. They will need decontamination equipment as well. Growing U.S. investments within China’s borders have also skewed the works do to the growing dependence on western technology and consumers. Public opinion and the consumer dollar have become a concern. Allying themselves with a dictator who uses rape, torture and genocide has become an issue never before considered. This fact has also given rise for concerns of India’s investments and involvement in Burma.

The notion the 2010 Election was legitimate by any stretch of the word was ridicules from the onset. Using the new constitution as a back drop for the election only magnified the absurdity of this sham election as a whole. I still ask why the original election results of 1990 were not honored by the rest of the world in the first place. The John William Yettaw debacle and the continued internment of Daw Aung Suu Kyi only placed Burma under the microscope. The worldwide outrage was unprecedented and it was not just from diplomatic circles. A campaign by democracy groups renewed aware of Burma’s plight and bore fruit since Burma has become a household word throughout the globe. The general public has plied out her inner most secrets evolving more outrage and more questions like never before. Politicians find themselves walking on egg shells around their electorate as an educated public asks why. And to the dismay of the Big Three, it opened a Pandora’s Box in their back yards that will not be closed any time soon. If Than Shwe orchestrated the Yettaw incident he only shot himself in the foot and fostered what many believe is the beginning of the end.

Are we being duped by yet another elaborate scheme to stall until the election? Time is the task master at this juncture, there is no question. Only when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the political prisoners are released and open dialogue is established with Aung San Suu Kyi at the table will I be convinced real steps are being made. Anything else will be just another fraud for there is no compromise. Aung San Suu Kyi must be at all high level meetings for them to be valid by any stretch of the word. The final nail in Than Shwe’s coffin of credibility will be if he chooses to move the 2010 Election to December of 09. With a track record of not honoring election results, what’s the point anyway?

The ball is in Than Shwe’s court and he has a golden opportunity to change the course of Burma’s history in a good and prosperous way. He could show face and bring back honor to this beleaguered nation. But if he chooses to continue this game of deception and death his will plunge Burma into a financial black hole like they never seen before because it’s all about the money Paisan. Than Shwe and his government has become a liability for his allies in the grand scheme of things and that’s the long and the short of it. With death at Than Shwe’s door his reign will soon come to a close. No matter how many times he shuffles his generals around the next leadership will more than likely opt for a more progressive Burma anyway.

I sit at the news desk skeptical as ever though a little bit more hopeful. But I’m not about to break out the tea leaf salad as of yet. Actions speak louder than words and so far people are still being systematically arrested and murdered in advance of the election. Aung San Suu Kyi and her crew are still locked up. Than Shwe is going to visit the regions hit by Cyclone Nargis this week. Is this another photo op to make him look like a humanitarian? If he opens up the coffers, actually helps all the homeless people and my sources verify it, I’ll be impressed. Until then, I will sit in the sidelines and observe the festivities with a discerning eye. And sitting in the bleachers with me will be Russia, China and India.

Your Devil’s Advocate

Buffalohair

http://buffalohair.wordpress.com/

Tags: Aung San Suu Kyi Burma China India Russia SAnctions buffalohair