18.03.2007
Pro-sanctions Debate
Don't Blame Sanctions for Burma's Poverty
In response to last weeks article "Can Sanctions Promote Human Rights?".....
Independent Individualist said,
Before you blame international community’s sanctions on Burma for today’s poverty in Burma, consider this: _
Before military regimes came to power in Burma, in a Burmese family of 5 if one person work the rest of the family do not need to work at all let alone to go abroad! That much Burma was so rich and prosperous. That's why Burmese way of life was so slow and easy. Since General Ne Win took over power for the very first time, how much Burma and Burmese prosper? Before, we had abundance of rice that Burma was rank No.1 rice exporter of Asia and this is a FACT not FICTION! Anyone, any body could go and visit any relatives in Burma and could eat free any time. Those are the golden days of Burma!
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has all her rights to declare what is good (to get sanctions on military junta) for the nation and to free the nation from robbers like SPDC military junta Generals.
And, do you think even if Suu declare to stop the sanctions it will go away like magic? Sanctions are build on Laws of United States of America. Once sanctions are in place it is not that easy to lift. Sanctions cannot be implemented overnight. Sanctions need to be debated and reviewed, the pros and cons, and finally approved by the Congress of the US. Sanction is NOT, I repeat NOT, one person agenda. America review the situations of Myanmar and act appropriately. The misery of Myanmar is done by Myanmar Generals alone, no one else.
I'm all for US sanctions; in fact, in my view the sanctions imposed on Burma is too soft for me. Should be more drastic indeed like naval blockage for example.
Burma Underground said,
South Africa is the only example of when sanctions may have worked, but those were a coordinated international effort. And, we have no evidence that investment and open markets improves repressive human rights situations. Chinese people may be more prosperous, and there are more speaking out, but, China has arrested more dissidents in recent years than previously, and the minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang are still facing the same discrimination, cultural destruction, and human rights abuses as always. Those of us living in western democracies often make the mistake of equating capitalist economic growth with liberal politics, and that's not necessarily true. It's especially not true when talking about respect for human rights - even liberal capitalist democracies have a hard time with that.
Really, we are just hoping something will work. Ultimately, for sanctions to work it would require every country's cooperation, and we will never get China and Russia onboard. Sanctions may have a role to play, but as a central strategy it's not enough.
Setkyar Hein said,
After reading Dr. Tayza’s “Can Sanctions Promote
Human Rights” article, I’d like to say: _
You are right. Sanctions on wayward regimes have some tell-tale effects, no
doubt. Though they may not result in toppling them, at least they serve to
'contain' or destabilize them at the most and to a certain extent.
Of course, applying sanctions only on rogue regimes like the SPDC is certainly
not very effective, though NOT STUPID either.
Today, the SPDC is still active in
Burma.
WHY?
Simply, because "THE PEOPLE OF BURMA ARE STILL TOLERATING ITS RULE
AND
PRESENCE". That's why.
Than Shwe and his gang of thieves are planning and doing EVERYTHING and at
ALL TIMES to PRE-EMPT and PREVENT the people from saying or doing this - WE
DON'T WANT THE MILITARY RULERS ANYMORE IN OUR COUNTRY - and take substantial
steps in that respect and direction.
When Daw Suu was free she was always in touch with the people as we have known
and witnessed, giving them encouragement and guidelines to move forward, in
their quest for freedom and democracy, in addition to educating them about
democracy and their life ahead.
Once the PEOPLE say, "WE DON'T WANT THE MILITARY RULERS ANYMORE IN OUR COUNTRY",
then we can all go home.
.
Your Comments here_
Request: If you can kindly volunteer to translate BURMA DIGEST English articles into Burmese, please let us know burmadigest@tayzathuria.org.uk .
Last issue's English article
