[BNM] Burma

[David Pashley]

On Oct 02, 2007 at 12:09, Nick Taylor praised the llamas by saying:
> 
> > However on a newmedia topic, I think the ease which people can be misled by
> > plausible looking websites is something that is relevant.
> 
> True - though some websites are more credible than others - and the 
> Blair Peach (although it was so long ago as to be scarcely relevent) 
> inicident isn't really up for dispute I don't think. It happened - 
> there's no need to give a source.

I don't think there's any doubt that it happened, merely the events
surrounding it may be slightly muddied by particular organisations
views.
> 
> > Regarding Burma, standard chinese tactics isn't it? let the opposition
> > expose themselves and then they are so much easier to destroy. I wonder how
> > much of it we would know about if it weren't for the interntet? Having said
> > that, in the end, what difference has it/does it made?
> 
> It's not over yet. The images of loads of orange-clad monks is pretty 
> iconic as well. The consensus among the ebb and flow of (western) 
> web-commentry seems to revolve around trying to pressure China into 
> doing something, using the Olympics as leverage.

China really aren't happy with the idea of the people of a close
neighbour rising up against their repressive government. It might give
the chinese ideas. Ideally UN peace keepers should be deployed, but I
suspect China will use their veto again. Any sort of unilateral or
bi-lateral military intervention is very unlikely given the prospect of
angering China and the lack of things like large oil reserves and the
commercial interests certain countries have in Burma.

Basically we have no incentive to intervene and several incentives to
not intervene.
> 
> It's a tough one I think though - I don't think anything can be done 
> without the dissolution of the ruling Junta... and I can't see that 
> happening without some sort of rebellion from within the military itself.
> 
> Not that I actually know what I'm talking about of course.

-- 
David Pashley
david at davidpashley.com
Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.