VIDEO FROM THE BURMESE HEARTLAND
FBO Admin
Mobile/Semi-Permanent HQ -- Brooklyn, NY
Showing posts with label Myanmar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Myanmar. Show all posts
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
FBO: 'Photo Corner: The World's Newest City'
FBO IN NAY PYI TAW (ROYAL PALACE), MYANMARThe Failed Bands of Oklahoma took these photos on a recent trip to Myanmar's new, in-progress capital city Nay Pyi Taw. Very very few outsiders have visited this city, founded in 2005 by the military junta that runs the country. Unlike the rest of the country, electricity runs all hours, for its eight-lane highways with pedestrians walking great distances. Some of the housing areas are only 10% full, of the shopping zone, only five of 183 shops are in use.
Friday, September 28, 2007
FBO: 'Thoughts on Myanmar'
THE FBO'S 2004 VISIT TO MYANMAR & MYANMAR TODAY
It's tragic watching the peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar turn violent. Turning on CNN, you see diplomats half a world away with carefully worded speeches and carefully combed hairstyles declare 'support' for the peaceful protests. I'm sure that means very little to the locals, scores of which have likely died.
During the FBO visit in 2004, several people in the impoverished country run by a military dictatorship since 1962 spoke of hope. 'George Bush says he supports movements for peace -- if we protest he will come, like he did in Iraq,' one person said. That worried me then, and more so now. You wonder how many people are expecting US to invade in their behalf now that protests are on the streets of Yangon, Mandalay and Sitwe?
Politicians should be careful of the things they promise.
Though it won't happen, there would be more cause to go into Myanmar. Unlike Iraq, there is a democratic party in place, and perhaps 99% of the locals would welcome a new government. After similar demonstrations in 1988 led to a national election, the National League for Democracy won it hands-down. But the military never transferred power. One NLD leader Aung San Suu Ky has been under house arrest for approximately 16 of the past 19 years. A few years ago, they even moved the country to a remote town: a defensive stronghold in the mountains.
Some argue stricter economic sanctions could help. But they can't. The catch is China, who backs the military for economic purposes (Myanmar has oil) and recently blocked a UN measure to basically say 'hey Myanmar, the violence isn't good.'
Getting tough on China (or India and Russia -- both of which are friendly with the Myanmar generals) might be a start.
FBO Admin
Mobile/Semi-Permanent HQ -- Brooklyn, NY
It's tragic watching the peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar turn violent. Turning on CNN, you see diplomats half a world away with carefully worded speeches and carefully combed hairstyles declare 'support' for the peaceful protests. I'm sure that means very little to the locals, scores of which have likely died.
During the FBO visit in 2004, several people in the impoverished country run by a military dictatorship since 1962 spoke of hope. 'George Bush says he supports movements for peace -- if we protest he will come, like he did in Iraq,' one person said. That worried me then, and more so now. You wonder how many people are expecting US to invade in their behalf now that protests are on the streets of Yangon, Mandalay and Sitwe?
Politicians should be careful of the things they promise.
Though it won't happen, there would be more cause to go into Myanmar. Unlike Iraq, there is a democratic party in place, and perhaps 99% of the locals would welcome a new government. After similar demonstrations in 1988 led to a national election, the National League for Democracy won it hands-down. But the military never transferred power. One NLD leader Aung San Suu Ky has been under house arrest for approximately 16 of the past 19 years. A few years ago, they even moved the country to a remote town: a defensive stronghold in the mountains.
Some argue stricter economic sanctions could help. But they can't. The catch is China, who backs the military for economic purposes (Myanmar has oil) and recently blocked a UN measure to basically say 'hey Myanmar, the violence isn't good.'
Getting tough on China (or India and Russia -- both of which are friendly with the Myanmar generals) might be a start.
FBO Admin
Mobile/Semi-Permanent HQ -- Brooklyn, NY
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