Burma/Myanmar Protests and the subsequent crackdown

Posted by Indigenious at 10/3/2007 12:27 PM
Categories: Burmar, China

Intro:

The protests in Burmar (our shortened combination of the disputed name) and subsequent crackdown by the ruling regime have become a major Western press item since Buddhist monks joined pro-democracy protesters following sharp price increases about a month ago (There were a total of about 18,000 articles in GoogleNews with Myanmar or Burma in the title in the past month compared with less than 8,500 in all of 2006). These protests have been presented by the Western press as a threat to the authority of the ruling military regime and have been compared to the protests that brought down the previous regime in 1988. According to Western press the regime has started to crack down on protesters killing many more then the 11 reported by the regime.

As foreign relations are concerned, China has been Burmar's main ally and trading partners (for an in depth look at these relations see: www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Dp/pdf/066_kudo.pdf published by the Japanese Institute of Developing Economies). China (and Russia) blocked a Security Council Resolution condemning Burmar earlier this week (they had blocked a similar resolution a year ago as well). 

Today though, both China and Russia voted in favor of a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning the regime and urging restraint that was passed by unanimous decision.


Burmar Press:

In the New Light of Myanmar (unfortunately it is not possible to link directly to the articles so please use this link and browse to the respective dates), the official English language paper sanctioned by the ruling regime, there was not mention of the protests, but only the regular news of visits of foreign leaders, road building and the general progress of the country. In the past two weeks the paper has published a stream of articles about the protests. Initially the reports blamed various mysterious internal and foreign elements for inciting violence and urging the population from participating in gathering. In the past week they have directly blamed monks and urge them to not interfere in secular affairs. This may be a sign of justification of more and stronger action by the military.

The first mention of the events was on September 19th titled (and this is just the title):

"Destructive elements inciting instigation to grab power through short cut. Foreign radio stations airing exaggerated news, trying to instigate public, launching propaganda campaigns
Due to exaggerations, tricks and instigation by bogus monks, violent demonstrations break out in Pakokku, some monks stage protest walk in Sittway. Some Buddhist monks also march in procession in Yangon. People oppose any attempt to destroy peace and stability, wish Sayadaws to guide monks to follow Vinaya rules in interest of people"

On the 24th an article was published titled:

"Root cause of problems is perpetration of internal and external destructionists, who are jealous of national development and stability. Some global powers in collusion with group of destructioninsts from inside the nation inciting disturbances"

and another titled:

"State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee has duty to reinforce and observe basic principles and rules and regulations and implement religious matters The directives state all the rules and regulations for the monks prohibiting them from participating in secular affairs."

On the 26th:

"Some monks and people enter homes. Saboteurs threaten families demanding them to join protest if not provide cash, kind. Authorities urge people to make complaints in person or on line to Ward PDCs, Township PDCs or local authorities against intimidations, extortions, coercion"


Chinese Press:

It is interesting to analyze the response in Xinhua, the official news agency of the Chinese government, initially ignoring the protests, then reporting what the Burmar regime does and gradually presenting independent information about the growth of the demonstration, which mimics the reaction of the Chinese government.

The paper does not mention the protests until September 9th, even publishing the following article on "Myanmar's move towards democracy" more than a week after the demonstrations started:
 Myanmar accomplishes first step of roadmap to democracy as national convention ends

The first mention of the demonstrations is on the 9th in an article that mentions some small scale protests and states that "Myanmar vows not to tolerate acts of instigating unrest"

In the next couple of week the paper occasionally brings statements from Burmar officials and the Burmar official media. Only on the 22nd does it print a first article about the continuation of the protests without presenting a point of view.  On the 25th the paper publishes two articles, one about the EU urging Burmar government to not use violence and the other of Germany urging the same.

On the 27th finally the paper publishes a Chinese government reaction: China urges restraint from all parties in Myanmar






 

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