Word: burma
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Burma's Agony Referring to the monk-led people's rebellion in Burma, your cover stated: "...the world is watching" [Oct. 8]. Was that intended as warning or reassurance? How often has the world watched conflicts begin, unfold and end without lifting a finger? We have seen much reporting, much handwringing, many U.N. speeches, fact-finding visits and economic sanctions, but very little effective action, preventive or corrective. Darfur is only one of many places where such action is needed but very little is done. Here's hoping Burma does not become another case. But if the situation does "evolve...
...blood of the peacefully marching Buddhist monks in Burma stained the whole nation. Burma has been a failed state since the military usurped power in the 1960s. Sadly, it is now almost beyond repair. The punitive, high-handed military junta continues to consolidate its power by oppressing not just the political opposition but the impoverished population. The economy is a shambles. Who will come to the aid of the suffering people of Burma? Venze Chern, Bangkok...
...Peaceful demonstrations can easily be crushed by weapons. Only violence will bring down Burma's military regime. The United Nations should arm and train the Burmese people to fight the ruthless regime on condition that once they have triumphed, their weapons will all be destroyed under the supervision of the U.N. and the monks. Suraj Bandaje, Palmerston North, New Zealand...
...economic misery that sparked the protests remains. Burma has a grave and worsening humanitarian crisis. Half of Asia's malaria deaths occur here; a third of the children under 5 years old are malnourished; most of its people live on less than a dollar a day. "People have been successfully intimidated into keeping their heads down--maybe," says Shari Villarosa, chargé d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Rangoon. "But it's still a struggle for them to survive--to feed and educate their families, to get health care. So there could be another eruption...
...that happens, what can the world do? There is already unprecedented international pressure on Burma, although its impact on this isolated and xenophobic regime is questionable. While I was in Rangoon, U.N. Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari met with both Suu Kyi (twice) and junta chief Than Shwe, but Gambari's efforts look unlikely to kick-start a dialogue between the two. Similarly, China's influence over Burma--and its willingness to use it--is probably exaggerated. Its U.N. Ambassador, Wang Guangya, has characterized Burma's troubles as "basically internal...