Burma-UN Security Council in a shameful abdication of responsibility

The UN Security Council has “strongly deplored” the use of violence by the military junta against peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators. In a compromise wishy-washy statement, the Council called for “genuine dialogue” between the Burmese junta and Opposition, including detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But the formula of words was much watered down from the one proposed by the United States, Britain and France after opposition from Russia and China. It reeks of insincerity.


According to the statement “The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators in Burma.” The statement also emphasised “the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees”. The US and others endeavoured without success to include the word condemn in the statement and sought the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. China and Russia refused to accept the word condemn so this was replaced in the statement with the words “strongly deplore”. A reference to “immediate release” of political prisoners was dropped.


The milk and watery statement is a graphic illustration of the relative powerlessness of the UN Security Council. It could not even condemn the slaughter and brutality in Burma. Russia and China have combined to protect the butchers of Rangoon. The junta can continue the crack down on the pro democracy group happy in the knowledge that its worst excesses will go unpunished in the short term. The UN is a toothless tiger. It is a waste of tax payers money. Russia and China continually abuse the veto at the UN and allow war criminals in Burma and Darfur to murder and torture with impunity.

Burma-Military Crackdown continues as junta declares war on its people.

The military crackdown which has been instituted against the pro democracy demonstrators in Burma emphasises clearly the relative powerlessness of the UN Security Council. Once more China as-in Darfur- is a major stumbling block. China will at best pay lip service. The International Community must pressurise China by withdrawing from the Beijing Olympics now. The juntas stranglehold on power must be smashed by stronger sanctions than are at present proposed. The UN must be reformed so that the veto can no longer be used in a cynical manner-by powers such as China. Chinese foreign policy is devoid of morality.
The International Community stands indicted on its failure to act meaningfully

Police and soldiers in Burma's main city opened fire for a second day to disperse demonstrators. A Japanese journalist is among the victims of the violence in Rangoon. Earlier, security forces raided monasteries and took away scores of monks accused of leading the protests, which analysts say are the biggest challenge the military government has faced in decades.
VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from our Southeast Asia bureau in Bangkok.
Protesters' sandals are scattered on the ground as Burmese soldiers look on after firing automatic weapons into a crowd in Rangoon, 27 Sep 2007 (Mandalay Gazette photo)There were conflicting news reports throughout the day on the number of people killed or injured in clashes with security forces on Rangoon's main thoroughfares. Thousands of people defied orders from soldiers and police to get off the streets.
Witnesses say demonstrators chanted their demands for peace, democracy, and an end to poverty. The slogans summed up the yearnings of people in a country ruled by the military since 1962, where per-capita income is less than $200 a year.......
The true death toll so far is unknown.