Bush's Thailand trip turns heat on Myanmar
In a broad speech on U.S. involvement in Asia to be delivered on Thursday, Bush will repeat his mantra for Burma's military rulers "to release Aung San Suu Kyi," the opposition leader and Nobel laureate detained for the last five years.In all, Suu Kyi, 63, has been in prison or under house arrest for nearly 13 of the last 19 years.After a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Bush praised Bangkok for its role in helping funnel emergency relief to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, which killed 134,000 when it slammed into Irrawaddy delta on May 2."We want to see prosperity and freedom restored to Burma," he told reporters.On Thursday, he will cover the whole gamut of U.S. policy in Asia, from North Korea's nuclear program to regional security and trans-Pacific trade to his strongest criticism yet of China's attitude to human rights."The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings," Bush will say, according to excerpts of Thursday's speech released in advance."So America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists," he will say.However, the timing of his visit and the schedule in place for him and his wife in Thailand leaves little doubt about his other main message."8-8-88 DEMOCRACY"As well as the start of the Olympics in Beijing, Friday is the 20th anniversary of Burma's "8-8-88" democracy uprising, when an estimated 3,000 people were killed when troops were sent in to crush nationwide protests.On the eve of this numerically auspicious day, Bush will have lunch with activists who took part in the uprising before fleeing for their lives to Thailand, where they have campaigned for an end to military rule that stretches back to 1962.Laura Bush, who has adopted Burmese human rights as a personal cause, will travel to the Thai border to visit a refugee camp and health clinic for those fleeing the ethnic guerrilla wars that have roiled Burma's hinterlands for decades."Together, we seek an end to tyranny in Burma," Bush will say, echoing his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who has referred to Burma as an "outpost of tyranny."Under Bush, Washington has been at the forefront of the West tightening up sanctions against Burma, a policy criticized for merely increasing the international isolation in which junta supremo Than Shwe appears to revel.The depth of distrust of the outside world was highlighted in May when the junta refused U.S. and French offers of military helicopters and ships to assist the victims of Cyclone Nargis."Nargis has shown that if the U.S. wants to help the Burmese people, they need to have some kind of relationship with the Burmese military government," Aung Naing Oo, one of the exiled dissidents set to meet Bush on Thursday, told Reuters."Than Shwe wants to isolate Burma. If the U.S. tries to isolate Burma, they are simply doing Than Shwe's work for him," he said.
In a broad speech on U.S. involvement in Asia to be delivered on Thursday, Bush will repeat his mantra for Burma's military rulers "to release Aung San Suu Kyi," the opposition leader and Nobel laureate detained for the last five years.In all, Suu Kyi, 63, has been in prison or under house arrest for nearly 13 of the last 19 years.After a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Bush praised Bangkok for its role in helping funnel emergency relief to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, which killed 134,000 when it slammed into Irrawaddy delta on May 2."We want to see prosperity and freedom restored to Burma," he told reporters.On Thursday, he will cover the whole gamut of U.S. policy in Asia, from North Korea's nuclear program to regional security and trans-Pacific trade to his strongest criticism yet of China's attitude to human rights."The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings," Bush will say, according to excerpts of Thursday's speech released in advance."So America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists," he will say.However, the timing of his visit and the schedule in place for him and his wife in Thailand leaves little doubt about his other main message."8-8-88 DEMOCRACY"As well as the start of the Olympics in Beijing, Friday is the 20th anniversary of Burma's "8-8-88" democracy uprising, when an estimated 3,000 people were killed when troops were sent in to crush nationwide protests.On the eve of this numerically auspicious day, Bush will have lunch with activists who took part in the uprising before fleeing for their lives to Thailand, where they have campaigned for an end to military rule that stretches back to 1962.Laura Bush, who has adopted Burmese human rights as a personal cause, will travel to the Thai border to visit a refugee camp and health clinic for those fleeing the ethnic guerrilla wars that have roiled Burma's hinterlands for decades."Together, we seek an end to tyranny in Burma," Bush will say, echoing his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who has referred to Burma as an "outpost of tyranny."Under Bush, Washington has been at the forefront of the West tightening up sanctions against Burma, a policy criticized for merely increasing the international isolation in which junta supremo Than Shwe appears to revel.The depth of distrust of the outside world was highlighted in May when the junta refused U.S. and French offers of military helicopters and ships to assist the victims of Cyclone Nargis."Nargis has shown that if the U.S. wants to help the Burmese people, they need to have some kind of relationship with the Burmese military government," Aung Naing Oo, one of the exiled dissidents set to meet Bush on Thursday, told Reuters."Than Shwe wants to isolate Burma. If the U.S. tries to isolate Burma, they are simply doing Than Shwe's work for him," he said.
Burma beefs up border troops
The troop build-up is said to have begun four days ago in the border areas opposite the northern provinces of Tak, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the source said.It is estimated that more than 10 battalions have been despatched to the areas.In the Burmese border town of Tachilek, opposite Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, troops have also been deployed at key public establishments.It is also reported that Burmese troops and artillery have been sent to a disputed border area covering 32 square metres on Doi Lang mountain, opposite Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district.The security boost has been prompted by a report that violence might erupt on the Thai-Burmese border to mark the 8/8/88 pro-democracy uprising, said the source.The prospect of violence has reportedly been heightened by US President George W. Bush's visit to Thailand.''The US president plans to address the problems in Burma, so this might irritate the Burmese authorities,'' said the source.It is reported that Burmese activists will rally in front of the Burmese embassy tomorrow to demand the Burmese government release political prisoners arrested over the past 20 years.Meanwhile, Chaowalit Sirikij, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, yesterday said Thai authorities are unaware of the rumour about a possible outbreak of violence at the Thai-Burmese border.He added the military build-up along the border is Burma's internal affair.Maj-Gen Chaowalit said the Thai-Burmese Regional Border Committee (RBC) is scheduled to meet in Chiang Rai province today and tomorrow.A security source said Burma is expected to make a protest over the disputed border area during the RBC meeting.Two months ago, Burmese soldiers arrested two Thai villagers for trespassing over the border.The villagers were later released after negotiations, said the source.
Security Tight on Anniversary of Burma Uprising
Twenty years after millions took to the streets in a failed bid to bring down Burma's dictatorship, the prospects for change remain dim.
The mood inside the country is weary, even as activists plan to hold demonstrations worldwide on Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1988 uprising. That protest has become known as the 8-8-88 uprising, because it peaked around August 8.
"I've totally lost hope that change will come through mass protests," said Min Aung, a dissident in Rangoon who marched in 1988 and again in demonstrations last year. "It's difficult to organize protests now because most of the leaders are in jail or in hiding."
Photo dated August 1988 shows demonstrators gathering in central Rangoon to protest against the government. As China celebrates the start of the Olympics on Friday with much fanfare, activists in neighboring Burma will silently mourn the bloody end of an uprising that crushed their dreams of democracy 20 years ago. (Photo: AFP)In Rangoon, the country's largest city, the only sign of the impending anniversary was beefed-up security. Hundreds of riot police were posted at busy intersections, and others—armed with batons and tear gas canisters—patrolled in trucks.
The military regime that has ruled the country for 46 years shows no signs of collapse, despite international condemnation and economic sanctions.
US President George Bush, on a visit to neighboring Thailand Thursday, called for an end to the "tyranny" in Burma. His wife, Laura Bush, traveled to a refugee camp elsewhere in Thailand to meet with some of those who have fled Burma.
"Twenty years have gone by and everything is still the same or maybe worse in Burma," she said.
The 1988 demonstration did bring down longtime dictator Ne Win, but a new group of generals replaced him and brutally crushed the protests in September, killing an estimated 3,000 people.
The protests propelled Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Burma's independence hero Aung San, into the political limelight, and helped found her National League for Democracy party to challenge army rule.
Elections were held in 1990, but the military refused to recognize the landslide victory of Suu Kyi's party. Suu Kyi, who won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, has spent 12 of the past 19 years under house arrest.
Outside of the country, activists are planning demonstrations around the globe Friday at embassies of both Burma and China, a key ally of Burma that activists say could pressure the leadership to bring about change. The protests will also coincide with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
"We urge the international community to stand united with us and deny the regime the means to continue oppressing and killing civilians," a coalition of more than 50 pro-democracy groups said in a statement.
With many leading dissidents either locked up or living abroad in exile, both activists and western diplomats in Burma say the democracy movement is short on dynamic leaders to challenge the military.
Tens of thousands took to the streets in several cities last year in the largest demonstrations since 1988, but the military crushed the protests, killing at least 13 people.
The government has promised change through a new constitution, which activists say only ensures the generals' tight grip on power.
Nyunt Hlaing, a 57-year old grocery shop owner in Rangoon, recalled with fondness how he marched for a month in 1988 and even threw stones at soldiers and put up barricades to stop their armored vehicles.
"I cannot participate the way I did in 1988. I am older now and have a family to take care of," Nyunt Hlaing said. "Those were the days, and I don't expect demonstrations of that scale to ever take place again in the country."
Burmese dissidents in Thailand, acknowledge they are at a loss as to how to bring down the regime, at least in the short term.
"A lot of people are saying, 'What has gone wrong? Where are we now?' "said Aung Naing Oo, who took part in the 1988 uprising and was among nine dissidents who met with President Bush Thursday. "Why are we still in this situation?"
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