burma - potential uprising?

[TAE]

I hate seeing references to 'calm' and 'return to normal' in these reports, as if it's something we should be relieved to hear.

Oh yes.

In light of recent events unfolding in Myanmar, Total would like to restate its position regarding its presence in the country.

September 26, 2007

First of all, the Group would like to express its deep concern over the present situation, which it is monitoring very closely. Under these particular circumstances, Total is deploying heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of its employees. We hope that the current tensions facing the country will quickly subside and that solutions will be found in order to safeguard the population and protect human rights.

[...]

http://burma.total.com/en/news/p_5_4.htm

 

[frogwoman]

cunts.

 

[frogwoman]

There's an interesting article in the economist this week about how pressure on the junta is enough to make countries in ASEAN and the EU etc make it seem like they're doing something, but not TOO much ...

 

[purves grundy]

This could be significant depending on how much freedom of movement he gets. Pinheiro is a good un, a tough cookie, and his findings could hit the junta hard. Which leads one to wonder why they've given in and allowed him to visit (although there's no firm date set yet) - thousands of political prisoners, systematic torture, widespread arbitrary arrest, mass discrimination before a court... in fact, pick any human right and it's being violated, and as a matter of policy not neglect.

 

[frogwoman]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/world/asia/21myanmar.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

 

[purves grundy]

The disgusting witterings of a cunt as daddy gets hit by sanctions.

 

[gnoriac]

The disgusting witterings of a cunt as daddy gets hit by sanctions.

Yeah, but he is coming out with an interesting point:

In the email, Htet Tay Za, 19-year-old son of Air Bagan CEO, Tay Za, wrote: “US bans us? We're still f---ing cool in Singapore. See my photos? We're sitting on the whole Burmese GDP. We've got timber, gems and gas to be sold to other countries like Singapore, China, India and Russia.”

Says it all, really.

 

[frogwoman]

The disgusting witterings of a cunt as daddy gets hit by sanctions.

That's disgusting ...

 

[frogwoman]

bump ...

let's not forget burma people.

i was at another demonstration at the TotalItarian oil garage saturday

 

[gnoriac]

Monks march again

More than 100 monks have marched ... through Pakkoku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide

Report doesn't really say anything more about it.

 

[purves grundy]

Yeah, just been reading that elsewhere, again with little additional information.

http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/118-Oct-2007.html

Very brave and unexpected. Pakkoku's where it all began.

 

[Barking_Mad]

blimey.

 

[fela fan]

There was an article in the guardian today that highlighted the forced conscription of child soldiers. I think i read it on the bbc website, i'll have a look again.

This of course has always gone on, but with any reflected news appeal from recent times, perhaps more people might fiind out about it, keep any momentum going that wasn't there before.

Here we are:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7069920.stm

 

[kyser_soze]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2202239,00.html

Monks off again...good lads!

 

[frogwoman]

Nice one fellas

 

[purves grundy]

A nicely timed protest, coming just before Gambari is due to make his return visit, and before Pinheiro arrives. Either a harsh response or a continuation of the protests will cast a darker shadow on the junta.

And I'm very happy to hear that U Myint Thein and U Win Naing, amongst others, were released yesterday

http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/1221-Oct-2007.html

 

[TAE]

Very brave and unexpected.

Very brave indeed !

 

[frogwoman]

From oxford burma solidarity mailing list:

According to the big issue teak from burmese forests is widely used. Although there is hardly any thai teak quite a lot of burmese teak is labeled as thai teak companies and organisations which appear to supply the teak areMorton products limitedBritannic garden furniture ltdHawke house ltd-sells prime burmese teak for luxury yauchts and similar venturesIt would appear that a mass boycott of teak is needed since practically all teak comes from burma _________________________________________________________________Free update to Windows Live Hotmail http://www.newhotmail.co.uk

 

[purves grundy]

Some excellent studies on Burmese timber industry have been made by Global Witness. Well worth a read.

http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library.php?keyword=&campaign_id=52&ml_lang=en&sort_by=published_date&document_type%5B%5D=briefing_document&document_type%5B%5D=report&submitted=search

 

[frogwoman]

Not content with financing climate chaos, RBS, through its stake in theBank of China, is supporting and profiting from military rule in Burma.The RBS controls 8.25% of Bank of China, key backer of Chinese oilcompanies Sinopec and PetroChina, who are propping up the brutal regimein Burma and collaborating with junta-run companies.Only last month Sinopec began drilling a well together with the Burmeseregime’s Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise. The launch ceremony on September26 coincided with the first day of the dictatorship’s brutal crackdownon civil dissent. Bank of China plans to underwrite over $2 billion ofbonds for Sinopec this November. Read the Sunday Herald's coverage here:http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1791549.0.rbs_profits_from_burma_links.php& the full press release here:http://www.carbonweb.org/showitem.asp?article=304&parent=39

.

 

[frogwoman]

Anyone else want to go on the meetup? A reminder - it is on the 10th (saturday) not the 11th as previously stated!! xx

 

[frogwoman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7060424.stm

A few signs of hope ... maybe??

 

[purves grundy]

A few signs of hope ... maybe??

I've heard from a couple of different peeps that ASSK is going to be released soon, and it's also mentioned today on Irrawaddy. But it's probably all the usual Rangoon Rumour Mill and besides, without any apparatus even for talks about talks (and I mean genuine ones, not the shite they're doing atm) it would be quite meaningless - she'll know this, and her freedom is not her priority at all. Her movements would no doubt be heavily circumscribed. In the current climate, I'd be very concerned for her safety too.

It's great that Gambari will meet with the NLD this time. The room will be bugged as usual, but they'll make the most of this opportunity to tell Gambari on the record exactly what they believe needs to happen next.

 

[purves grundy]

Just heard that the head of the UN in Burma - Charles Petrie - has been ordered to leave the country.

Take this with a pinch or two of salt, though.

 

[purves grundy]

Nope, tis true http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7076319.stm

That's a spanner in the fucking works for this trip.

 

[frogwoman]

Thought you guys might like to know that my best mate is doing a presentation at his college soon about Burma.

We havent forgotten.

 

[purves grundy]

Another small demonstration by monks in Mogok the other day.

Gambari visit so far unproductive as usual.

Get well soon!

 

[purves grundy]

Failed again

"I would like you to know that Myanmar [Burma] is a small nation and if a big power bullies her ... we will have no other way but to face this and endure," Kyaw San said.

Oh you brave, brave soldier.

 

[purves grundy]

Yet more bravery

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=9262

 

[purves grundy]

Wow! This is quite unexpected...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7085292.stm

Whether this whole process will go anywhere, lead to anything substantial, is highly doubtful. They're as aware as anybody of the junta's record of prevarication and duplicity in talks such as this. How much is this just for show? Probably a lot - the news comes just before Pinheiro's visit which was expected to result in heavy criticism plus there'll be no third party representation - but it's the only show in town right now and the NLD know that they have to exploit it as much as possible.

At the very least, it's fantastic that she's going to meet with the executive committee from the NLD. This will embolden and revivify NLD members and the average Daw on the street.