|
|
|
.
.
|
NUCLEAR THREAT
_ The regime has most of the ingredients for such a programme – materials (Uranium ore, basic processing facilities), missiles, collaborators and the motivation to develop such a capability.........With close links developing between the SPDC regime and many nuclear powers – rogues and mainstream – there seems little doubt that the regime could start a nuclear weapons programme.........
_ Burma’s uranium deposits could become yet another large cash stream for the junta....Other elements present in Burma are substantially more radioactive, and suitable for dirty bombs as well.....SPDC is trying to obtain, or already has, ballistic missiles. These are not of a range that can threaten distant continents, but they could reach Burma’s neighbors.....when you have imperfect information, and are evaluating something as serious as nuclear weapons, it is best to assume the worst. This way, if the worst ever happens, you are not caught completely off guard. _ Although the US and the UK as respectable leaders of the democratic world should and must produce, maintain and upgrade their nuclear arsenals as required to protect us, rogue states like Iran, North Korea and Burma have no legitimate rights to research, produce or keep any nuclear technology, facility or weapons............
_ On 6th of February, the Foreign Minister of Burma claimed his support of nuclear proliferation of Iran. This is not the first time that the military regime of Burma openly mentions about its favour in nuclear technologies. It has announced to join the nuclear club since 2002..........
MILITARY EXPANSIONISM
_ After the end of the Cold World, the trend in military strategy and national security agenda has been changed all over the world from high politics which emphasized issues of war, nuclear deterrence to low politics which emphasized the environment, economic development and natural resources. Despite of this global trend, the Burmese Regime in Burma increased military spending for land warfare, sea power and air power while other countries are trying to reduce...........
REGIONAL HOSTILITIES
_ gas sales to neighbouring countries were bringing in billion dollars annually and the balance began to tip heavily in favour of large-scale military expenditure. This has made feasible, but still distant, the goal of regional dominance, which is to be sought by a combination of diplomatic ruse and military might. ...........
_ The Burmese generals' contempt for its neighbouring country is quite well known particularly when they crack jokes among themselves.........Well intentioned democratic Burmese cannot guarantee to control the maha bama chauvinists and to counter such threats of future conquest...........
DRUG TRADE _ The regime is reportedly building a drug trade based in Mandalay. Mandalay was Burma's traditional cultural city in the central region of Burma. But now military regime has sold out Mandalay to Chinese and Wa drug-lords. Illicit drugs, heroine and stimulant tablets, are being shipped from Mandalay to its neighbouring countries both by land and by water...........
_ In 2004, the cultivation of opium poppy in the world was 195,940 hectares in total and the top cultivation countries include Afghanistan (131000 hectares), Burma (44200 hectares) and Lao PDR (6600 hectares). It means that 23% of the world opium poppy was cultivated in Burma under the military regime..........Burma was reported as an origin of methamphetamine in 2003 (UNODC, Annual reports)............ _ Burma accounts for around 90% of the illicit opiates (Opium, Heroin, and Morphine) produced in South-East Asia. Burma is also the primary producer of Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in Asia. The area in which these drugs are grown and produced is the ‘golden triangle’...........
_ The Junta themselves have been heavily involved in the drug trade all along. In fact, they are totally in control of all the drugs and all the dealers in Burma. The local SPDC officers impose a drugs' "Tax" on all the activities associated with the trade............
REFUGEE EXPORT
_ To cut off popular support for the Shan rebel groups, hundreds of thousands of Shan families are being driven at gunpoint from their ancestral lands in the Shan State, Burma's largest ethnic state. Seeking asylum in neighbouring Thailand, they remain the only minority not granted legal status as refugees by Thai authorities..............
_ majority of poor innocent unarmed Karen people have just to run away from their homes to avoid being killed, raped or captured as forced labourers/porters. Currently thousands upon thousands of Karen people are displaced from their homes and hiding in the jungles in fear of SPDC soldiers' attacks..............
_ There are estimated half a million Karen and Karenni refugees living in miserable conditions in those God-forsaken camps along Thai-Burma border. Further three hundred thousands of Shan refugees are staying in Thailand with no status, as illegal immigrants or people-without-country.............
_ The name of Burma was changed into Myanmar by the current military government in 1993 in order to eclipse all ethnic groups into Myanmarization.........From 1962 until today, Burma has been ruled by military dictators and.........Martial law is the only vehicle the military regime has to drive 52 millions for more than four decades............
_ The separation of their status which divided them into two different refugee persons with those who get UNHCR cards and those are ignored under UNHCR sent many asylum seekers into deeper distress............
ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION
_ There is however a serious threat to the vitality of this important river. Asian Development Bank is pushing a scheme to create a region-wide power grid called Mekong Power Gird initiative to enable a borderless electricity trade. The energy for this power grid is generated in the large hydropower dams build in the countries in the region where there is no human rights, freedom of speech and democracy, namely in Burma, Laos and China............. _ They sold off our forests to Chinese logging companies who have never known the word “environmental conservation” let alone respecting it. All the trees in our forests were cut down and the wood shipped off to China leaving bald hills in our country. ............
_ Kachin State, like the rest of Burma, is both blessed and cursed by its natural resources. Rampant deforestation is affecting the watersheds and wildlife of the north, with little benefit for the indigenous people. Likewise, the search for gold in Kachin rivers, streams and riverbanks has wreaked environmental havoc. Gold miners from Chinese firms in partnership with ceasefire groups and the SPDC have entered Kachin State in recent years. The Chinese miners have been working in gold concession areas of Kachin State that include the Irrawaddy watershed and Hukawng Valley -- environmentally sensitive areas that need protection, not exploitation. ............
_ Over one hundred species of fish, migrate up the Nu/Salween River and its tributaries. There are many rare and endemic plants, animals, and fish species, and the teak forests lining the river are some of the most fertile in the world. In addition to flooding villages and agricultural fields, the planned Salween Dams would flood several protected areas, including the Salween Wildlife Sanctuary.............
HIV & INFECTIOUS DISEASES EXPLOSION
_ HIV prevalence is rising rapidly in Burma, fuelled by population mobility, poverty and frustration that breeds risky sexual activity and drug-taking. Already, three in one hundred are estimate to be infected with disease........Activists inside and outside Burma have expressed their disappointment over the military regime’s arrest of those people who were providing counselling and education to HIV/AIDS patients............
|
