Comments on: Bush Undercutting Momentum in Burma http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2007/09/bush-undercutting-momentum-in-burma Loaning brain cells to those in need since 2003 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:54:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: matttbastard http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2007/09/bush-undercutting-momentum-in-burma#comment-6229 matttbastard Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:15:06 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2007/09/bush-undercutting-momentum-in-burma#comment-6229 <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070925/ap_on_re_as/china_nudging_the_junta;_ylt=ArkNw1TnIdVlsPj6581.637xrGIF" rel="nofollow">AP reports</a> that China has "gently urged Myanmar's military rulers to ease the strife that has seen tens of thousands take to the streets in protest": "<em>China has quietly shifted gears, the diplomats said, jettisoning its noninterventionist line for behind-the-scenes diplomacy. A senior Chinese official asked junta envoys this month to reconcile with opposition democratic forces. And China arranged a low-key meeting in Beijing between Myanmar and State Department envoys to discuss the release of the leading opposition figure. For a country that has been Myanmar's staunchest diplomatic protector, largest trading partner and a leading investor, the shift is crucial. <strong>Asian and Western diplomats in Beijing and Southeast Asia said China's influence in Myanmar is second to none and could be decisive in restraining the junta from a violent confrontation with protesters.</strong> [...] China's political and economic interests in Myanmar are spurring it to act, diplomats and experts said. With an Olympics in Beijing next year already bringing China heightened scrutiny, Chinese leaders are likely loath to be associated with another repressive, unpopular regime. <strong>Criticism from foreign governments and international activist groups already have caused Beijing to pare back lending to Zimbabwe and put pressure on Sudan to accept a U.N. peacekeeping force for Darfur</strong>.</em>" Most interestingly (to me, at least, since I was previously unaware this had occurred, although it may have been previously reported and I just happened to miss it): "<em>In June, Beijing hosted two days of talks between junta envoys and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric John. The State Department and U.S. Embassy declined to disclose details. Diplomats from other Western embassies said among the topics was relaxing house arrest for Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's democratic opposition.</em>" Again, you are right to be dismissive of hollow <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14685431" rel="nofollow">PR theatrics by the Chimp-in-Chief</a>; the real action will be happening behind the scenes. The nations you mentioned need to continue exerting diplomatic pressure on <i>China</i> if another (seemingly inevitable) bloody crackdown is to be avoided. AP reports that China has “gently urged Myanmar’s military rulers to ease the strife that has seen tens of thousands take to the streets in protest”:

“China has quietly shifted gears, the diplomats said, jettisoning its noninterventionist line for behind-the-scenes diplomacy. A senior Chinese official asked junta envoys this month to reconcile with opposition democratic forces. And China arranged a low-key meeting in Beijing between Myanmar and State Department envoys to discuss the release of the leading opposition figure.

For a country that has been Myanmar’s staunchest diplomatic protector, largest trading partner and a leading investor, the shift is crucial. Asian and Western diplomats in Beijing and Southeast Asia said China’s influence in Myanmar is second to none and could be decisive in restraining the junta from a violent confrontation with protesters.

[...]

China’s political and economic interests in Myanmar are spurring it to act, diplomats and experts said. With an Olympics in Beijing next year already bringing China heightened scrutiny, Chinese leaders are likely loath to be associated with another repressive, unpopular regime.

Criticism from foreign governments and international activist groups already have caused Beijing to pare back lending to Zimbabwe and put pressure on Sudan to accept a U.N. peacekeeping force for Darfur.”

Most interestingly (to me, at least, since I was previously unaware this had occurred, although it may have been previously reported and I just happened to miss it):

“In June, Beijing hosted two days of talks between junta envoys and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric John. The State Department and U.S. Embassy declined to disclose details. Diplomats from other Western embassies said among the topics was relaxing house arrest for Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar’s democratic opposition.”

Again, you are right to be dismissive of hollow PR theatrics by the Chimp-in-Chief; the real action will be happening behind the scenes. The nations you mentioned need to continue exerting diplomatic pressure on China if another (seemingly inevitable) bloody crackdown is to be avoided.

]]> By: Mick Arran http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2007/09/bush-undercutting-momentum-in-burma#comment-6139 Mick Arran Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:42:01 +0000 http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2007/09/bush-undercutting-momentum-in-burma#comment-6139 It's ironic, in a way, that it was Bush's father who last had a Golden Opportunity to hurt the Junta during the '88 rebellion. He turned it down, too. It’s ironic, in a way, that it was Bush’s father who last had a Golden Opportunity to hurt the Junta during the ‘88 rebellion.

He turned it down, too.

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