Burmese monks 'to be sent away'

[Ghost]

Im in thailand right now and im not sure how much coverage this is getting outside of asia but its clearly getting some as its heading the BBC news website.

This is utterly sickening.

"Thousands of monks detained in Burma's main city of Rangoon will be sent to prisons in the far north of the country, sources have told the BBC.About 4,000 monks have been rounded up in the past week as the military government has tried to stamp out pro-democracy protests."

"The monks have been disrobed and shackled, the sources told BBC radio's Burmese service. There are reports that the monks are refusing to eat."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7022437.stm

These people are demonstrating because they want democracy. I wish the west could do more to help.

[Tom Yum]

I can't speak for everyone, but this means alot to us in terms of representing democracy worldwide.

I'm thinking about the geopolitical situation in SE Asia at the moment and how everything adds up. I'll respond later (about to PT).

Some quick thoughts: The ethnic Chinese population of Burma make up about 3% of the population, are intermarried with the Burmese, skewing this figure and dominate the Burmese economy. Burma was one of the first nations to recognize the People's Republic of China; China will be watching and moderating their media as such a religious rebellion could influence a similar movement in China. Likewise, the Burmese government will exert discipline on media.

Most Burmese buddhists, many whom are ethnic Chinese, practice Theravada Buddhism, with taoist influences.

[Ghost]

I personally doubt it would affect china in that way because china is modernizing so rapidly at the moment. And besides its only a matter of time before they become a democracy. one more generation i beleive and it will happen.
China can influence this though greatly. yet they will do nothing as per usual.

[Tom Yum]

I personally doubt it would affect china in that way because china is modernizing so rapidly at the moment. And besides its only a matter of time before they become a democracy. one more generation i beleive and it will happen..

or maybe 2 generations. China changes slowly; but as younger Chinese return to China with their educations, taste of western freedom, capitalism and democracy it will influence that change.

China can influence this though greatly. yet they will do nothing as per usual.

Perhaps.

If Japan, Taiwan and South Korea were to volunteer a peace keeping force in the area w/UN backing it would provide political motivation for China to get involved.

[DickHardman]

[DickHardman]

man they even killed john lennon. thats how fucked up our world is. there is no hope

[Ghost]

or maybe 2 generations. China changes slowly; but as younger Chinese return to China with their educations, taste of western freedom, capitalism and democracy it will influence that change.



Perhaps.

If Japan, Taiwan and South Korea were to volunteer a peace keeping force in the area w/UN backing it would provide political motivation for China to get involved.

ID be amazed if anyone sent troops mate. CAnt see it happening. the UN has no balls. the most they will do will be sanctions i expect.BUt it would be great if that did happen. time to scrap the UN and get an orgnization that actually does something around the world.
Most UN forces are made from 3rd world countries and are largely ineffective.

[Tom Yum]

ID be amazed if anyone sent troops mate. CAnt see it happening. the UN has no balls. the most they will do will be sanctions i expect.BUt it would be great if that did happen. time to scrap the UN and get an orgnization that actually does something around the world.
Most UN forces are made from 3rd world countries and are largely ineffective.

If I'm not mistaken, Burma's neighbor Thailand is also home to millions of Buddhist practitioners. Buddhism is also practiced in different form in Japan. I wouldn't be suprised if no one intervened, sadly - the results could end up with thousand more folks being rounded up and tortured.

[Tee Sok]

The Burmese government is also trying to annihilate other ethnic groups such as the Karen. Some are forced to live in the jungle and fight the Burmese
government with guerilla actions, others live in refugee camps in Thailand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_people

The way they treat people and especially monks is just sick, pure dictatorship.

[Ghost]

thats really interesting tee sok, thanks for the link, its good to be made aware of these things.

[Tee Sok]

I found out about the Karen reading this book written by an ex-marine:

http://www.dco.co.th/product_info.php?products_id=442

It's a very good read.