Miriam Leitao is a reporter and columnist for O Globo and Radio CBN in Brazil. She is also a commentator on Globo TV Network and runs her own blog, www.miriamleitao.com, hosted at Globo online at www.oglobo.com.br. She was awarded Columbia University’s Maria Moors Cabot Prize in 2005.
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Miriam Leitao
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Miriam Leitao is a reporter and columnist for O Globo and Radio CBN in Brazil.
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Here we go again with American Observer putting words into my mouth again.
Taking things out of context, American Observer wrote: "As usual, Patrick, your comments make no sense at all. If the United Nations puts sanctions on 'Myanmar,' not only will China and India have to obey the sanctions, but so will 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA).' Thus, Western firms as well as Third-World firms will be shut out of the market. Where is the hypocrisy in that?"
What he did not mention is that I had said that in relation to Total (France) and Chevron (USA): "They will be reluctant to pull out unless their respective governments enact legislation to force them to do so. Will that happen when there is so much oil, money and larger geopolitical issues involved?"
From my statement you can see I understand the wider implications of sanctions on Myanmar. What I was critiquing was the hypocrisy of the various Western governments in attacking China's, and to a lesser extent India's, involvement in Myanmar. If you are going to take the high moral ground then you had better make sure it's not built on loose sand. To allow the Chairman of Total to thumb his nose at the new French Government and for the US State Official to meekly say that Chevron's exemption from sanctions in Burma was grand-fathered in makes a mockery of their respective governments positions on Myanmar.
"Let’s think about the Chinese methods of pressure. Will China use diplomatic or economic methods to pressure Burma? Or will it use force and violence, the conventional methods of an authoritarian regime? If China decides to invade Burma as a form of “pressure”, are we supposed to applaud it?"
American Observer replies:
Your arguments are dishonest to the extreme, Miriam. No one has suggested that China should invade Burma, and your implication that they have is simply a lie. Instead, supporters of freedom have suggested that the world should threaten to withdraw from the Olympics if China does not stop sending money and aid to keep the SLORC regime in power. That is as far from violence as night is from day.
The call by Western Administrations for more sanctions against the regime in Myanmar and encouraging China and India to go along is the height of hypocrisy. The chairman of Total (France) just recently said the company wasn't going to cease operations in Myanmar. Chevron (USA) likewise said the same. "
American Observer replies:
As usual, Patrick, your comments make no sense at all. If the United Nations puts sanctions on 'Myanmar,' not only will China and India have to obey the sanctions, but so will 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA).' Thus, Western firms as well as Third-World firms will be shut out of the market. Where is the hypocrisy in that?
Or, perhaps you would rather handle things a different way. Perhaps 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA)' should withdraw from 'Myanmar' immediately, and allow firms from China and India to take up their role in the economy. That way Western firms could lose money, and the Third-World firms could make money, and the SLORC regime in 'Myanmar' would still have all of the financial backing it needs to go on shooting monks. Is that what you want? Judging from your previous messages, I think the answer is yes.
if anyone were to boycott the beijing olympics, it should be because of china itself, and not necessarily myanmar. the policies of the chinese where issues of human rights and freedom of religion alone should be sufficient enough to justify a boycott. the myanmar issue can be linked to many countries in southest asia and the crisis there should be dealt with within the sphere of influence by myanmar's closest surrounding neighbors such as malaysia, indonesia, thailand, as well as china. any attempt to hang the burden of the myanmar question solely upon the shouders if the chinese amounts to nothing more than foreign policy utopianism. or the deeps thoughts of america's first lady.
Are you trying to imply that the United States doesn't have a history of killing millions of Native Indians? or that one million Americans didn't die as a result of a war of brutal suppression against people of the Southern states during the 1860s? or that the US didn't take the its western states from Mexico by force? or maybe it never enslaved millions of blacks for over a century? or that unequal, systematic racial segregation didn't exist in the US for almost another century after blacks were "emancipated".
China cares SOMEWHAT about saving face, and the Olympics are a pressure point we can use. We can't get everything we would want from China over Sudan and Burma, but we can get something, and the trick is to figure out how hard we can press them.
---
China had been humiliated for over a 2 centuries, do you think that China care about saving? now they care about prosperity with 10% + economic growth. If you think Olympics can be used as political tool, than you destroy all the hope of those athletists and the spirit of Olympics because every nation can use it to boycott other whenever they're not happy.
Westerners are adepts off using the peacefull purpose tools such Nobel peace award, democracy
and now Olympics for political ends. If you wonder why so many countries won't buy western democracy is because Western countries have abused so much of the peaceful and civilize
ideolology: when a dictator did what Western want, he will be exempt from western democracy bashing, other will face regime change if western is not happy. A double standard policy of western world not only destroy democracy ideology but discredit themself from saying any valuable words for humankind...one day western countries especially U.S will find itself isolated from this world
Horsham writes:"If you want a friendly and democratic China, supporting the Beijing Olympics is one thing you can do."
yeah, just substitute "Germany" and "Berlin 1936"
for "China" and "Beijing" and you'd see the fallacy.You probably would have given Czech and Poland to Hitler. For a country with a history of killing 5-10 million of its own people and Tiananmen square, you sure are optimistic.
Very sad indeed for the people of Burma. Leftists are useless, always touting freedom and people's rights , yet when tragedies in Burma occur, the only one talking a hard line is Bush. I think the world sees how hypocritical Americans are, both red and blue. No mass protests anywhere regarding Chinese oppression, can anyone say "free pass" ?
Or will it use force and violence, the conventional methods of an authoritarian regime?
========================
U mean like America did in Iraq and Vietnam?
Just what pressure can be applied to China? China is now a grown up dragon with all that that brings. It is no longer something middling
but rather a mover and shaker which has to regarded as a world power that will push back when pushed . To think the world will subordinate its core interests on behalf of Burma is a pipe dream. From what I have seen the world does not act on principle but always is parsing the gradations of interests.
Americans are way too willing to overlook the crimes committed by their own government. Only if they apply the same standards on their own government as they do others, they'll all die of starvation naked on the street because they have to boycott everything they buy and own.
Anyway, for those who are shouting boycott, make sure you don't buy anything made in China, even things that contain Chinese made components. Otherwise, you are no better than a chicken eating Vegetarian, a pork eating Muslim, a beef eating Hindu ...hahaha.
"Citizen groups calling for boycotts are the very useful "bad cops" so Western governments can say to China, "we're under enormous domestic pressure over this, can you please get Burma to stop killing those barefoot monks.""
But this game can last only so long. Pretty soon, you will feel silly and stupid.
China's hosting the Olympics is a positive and progressive behavior that is supported by the pride of 1.3 billion people. If you want a friendly and democratic China, supporting the Beijing Olympics is one thing you can do. Then again, some of you couldn't help but drowning in your anxiety and hostility towards a rising China. Shame on those who think the world is not messed up enough and keep politicizing everything.
I am allready boycotting the games. I don't appreciate you characterizing this as naive, as my decision is not. I have worked on prior games, and will not work on this one, watch it, or buy associated products.
What I do find frightfully naive is your apologies for their bad behavior. It's like you're saying 'ok so we all know they're bad, but they have junk we want to buy so as long as we can ignore it we should keep buying'. And so you finance terror with big Wal-Mart smiles.
Your stance strikes me as gutless and greedy, and I condemn it for that.
I'll just point out that anyone like this author who thinks that "China invading Burma" is anywhere near the range of possibility, or even something sought by anyone involved in pressuring China, is so ignorant of Asia reality as to not be taken seriously in any of her comments.
China cares SOMEWHAT about saving face, and the Olympics are a pressure point we can use. We can't get everything we would want from China over Sudan and Burma, but we can get something, and the trick is to figure out how hard we can press them. Citizen groups calling for boycotts are the very useful "bad cops" so Western governments can say to China, "we're under enormous domestic pressure over this, can you please get Burma to stop killing those barefoot monks."
Miriam Leitao's writing is the opposite of useful in this regard.
Kenvon, I totolly agree with you, and it's really sad that alot of Chinese-bashers with zeor IQ; the best they can come with is copy and past the western propaganda, the famous keys words are:
dictator, human right, authoritarian regime, murder...
it's typical pattern of those chinese bashers, they can only spin aroung these few words, dont expect any intelligent form of debat
...and to those Chinese bashers, I want to encourage you to bash even more China, Why? because this is the only way to encourage talents, well educated chinese people in U.S to side & serve China..and encourage them return China to build a better China
On behalf of Chinese gourvernment, Many thanks to China-bashers because China don't have to spend a dime for propaganda, China-Bashers are doing the job right now.
Sun Tzu: Win a war without firing single shot is wise, win chinese people heart and mind with the help of chinese-basher is even wiser...hahaha
China is a country that has its own problems with human rights like Burma. Sure, China has enough impact on Burma economically and politically. However, China is no where close to correct Burma's recent military crack down on protests. Also, Boycotting China with Olympics contradicts Olympics spirits. Olympics should be separated away from economics and politics although it seems impossible. UN should take a step forward woking close with Burma's neighboring countries and have superpowers such as Britan, France, Russia, China and US involved as opposed to China alone. From a point of view, we can talk about this issue maybe a few more days. At the end of the day, we will all forget about Burma Military Crackdown. WSY?
While I agree on your Burma point, I think we should still boycott the Olympics, but for another reason: Darfur. China, desperate for that country's oil, protects it in the UN and prevents any real actions from being taken to help the refugees.
Its sad that many people living in USA still very naive about what is happening inside/outside their own country. Most still very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a devil and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly analyze things indepth. Its an easy way out. Go ask any US citizen, most likely they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really can express their hatred on Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades even until now!.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? Anyway just to mention as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
As you can see, I am comparing what is good on China against what is bad on USA. I had ignored those positive contributions by USA. Well if such a comparison fair ? of course not. Well, that is the onus I am trying to express here ie. if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses and compared, not only its not fair, it does not give one a balance picture. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at ownself. Like what I had mentioned earlier, when you point your fingure on others, the remaining figures of yours pointed back at yourself.
Its sad many people living in USA are still very naive about what is happening outside and even inside their own country. Most of them are very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a demon and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly uses their brain to analyze indepth. Its an easy way out. Ask any US citizen, most like they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really hates Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? But to mentioned as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
Sigh ...how to compare ? there are so many ....especially if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at yourself.
Its sad many people living in USA are still very naive about what is happening outside and even inside their own country. Most of them are very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a demon and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly uses their brain to analyze indepth. Its an easy way out. Ask any US citizen, most like they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really hates Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? But to mentioned as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
Sigh ...how to compare ? there are so many ....especially if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at yourself.
I don't think anyone would believe that China will help in any way to enlighten Burma's democracy movement as China herself is an authoritarian regime.The international appeal to boycotting the Beijing Olympics is more a political gesture than an actual pressure to China that the world is becoming less tolerable to China's so called "no interference to other nation's internal affair" policy that encourage dictatorship and brutality worldwide.
Kenvon, you need to be able to distinguish the diff's between countries. China has a deadly history of killing millions of there own people. They are a totalitarian regime who answers only to themselves. If you think China is anything close to a comparison with the American system, then you really have no idea of what is actually going on in China. Do you think you could even print two lines in a major newspaper in China criticizing the gov ? its amazing you would even attempt the comparison. Americans can point the finger at fcist like regimes in China, Russia and North Korea and Burma etc, we are way better then there systems. If you cant see that then yr not making an intellectually honest assessment.
To Alex:
My message is-none of those governments exist on this Earth today are CLEAN-they are all dirty in some what or other, some even tainted with blood. In my opinion, no matter how serious a problem is, it cannot be justified by resolving it by bloodshed especially by invading another country and the killing of innocent children, women and men just because you dont like their president or its policies. So dont just pick on China alone. When we accused other governments of human rights and civil liberties abuses, you got to be aware-is your own government which you voted into office (for those so called democratic country),- CLEAN of those alledged abuses ?
Always remember, when you point your fingure on others, the remaining fingures pointed back at yourself. Dont be a hypocrite.
kenvon writes:For those who condemned China and others on human rights abuses, please look at yourself first
Kenvon, you have no clue what the Chinese do to there prisoners. If all they did was slap there heads, tens of thousands of political prisoners would still be alive. Even the obvious nightmares such as forced sterilization and the selling of prisoner organs is common knowledge. Dont defend the Chinese, stop them.I'll take Guantanamo any day of what happens in Chinese prisons, you really have no clue.
"Essentially, the United States was informing the powers of the Old World that the American continents were no longer open to European colonization, and that any effort to extend European political influence into the New World would be considered by the United States "as dangerous to our peace and safety." The United States would not interfere in European wars or internal affairs, and expected Europe to stay out of American affairs."
Have you heard of the Monroe Doctrine?
---------------
"Our Founding Fathers overcame that fear and left to us a legacy of confidence in the citizen that constitutes our greatest political and moral strength. Our foreign policy has been at its best when it drew from that strength and made of our country a great force for good in the world. Now, after hard years of defending democratic values, our original confidence has been renewed.
Ordinary people are truly the heroes of our time. Ordinary people broke through the Berlin Wall. Ordinary people turned out the dictators. Ordinary people voted for democracy in Central America.
As once our Founding Fathers drew upon confidence in the citizens to build a new democratic society, so now our foreign policy must build upon that same confidence to build a newly democratic international society. That is our opportunity and our challenge. With the help of every American, I am sure we will meet it.
Source: American Foreign Policy Current Documents 1990 (1991), 12-17.
The Strangest Creature On Earth
by Nazim Hikmet
You're like a scorpion, my brother,
you live in cowardly darkness
like a scorpion.
You're like a sparrow, my brother,
always in a sparrow's flutter.
You're like a clam, my brother,
closed like a clam, content,
And you're frightening, my brother,
like the mouth of an extinct volcano.
Not one,
not five--
unfortunately, you number millions.
You're like a sheep, my brother:
when the cloaked drover raises his stick,
you quickly join the flock
and run, almost proudly, to the slaughterhouse.
I mean you're strangest creature on earth--
even stranger than the fish
that couldn't see the ocean for the water.
And the oppression in this world
is thanks to you.
And if we're hungry, tired, covered with blood,
and still being crushed like grapes for our wine,
the fault is yours--
I can hardly bring myself to say it,
but most of the fault, my dear brother, is yours.
The United States appeares to be illegally torturing terror suspects contrary to denials by President Bush, House Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday.
Interrogations tactics such as simulated drawning, head slapping and exposure to extreme temperatures all amounted to banned torture.
The perception given to the world that USA respect human rights, civil liberties, etc. etc. is illusion just to serve its own interest and justified its bad record.
For those who condemed China and others on human rights abuses, please look at yourself first.
Arab states boycotted Israel-U.S. boycotts Cuba-U.S. boycotted Iraq-continues to boycott Iran, and on and on it goes. And to what end other than to fuel hatred and hostility. Boycotts are just another means to wage war without the use of weapons and armed attacks. And if you believe it does not involve deaths, just count the number of deaths suffered by Iraq infants during the time America boycotted that most unfortunate country.
And just to go back to the time of the so-called unprovoked attack by the Japanese on Pearl harbour. It came as a retaliation of America's boycott of oil shipments to Japan.
The US could never influence totalitarian regimes which it was not allied with. And when these totalitarian regimes were allied with the US, its influence was still limited. The idea that the US ever had moral leadership is a fallacy. The US held sway during the cold war because it was a choice, the communists or us. We could never change the government in North Korea or North Vietnam even when we had "influence", likewise Cuba or many other despotic regimes simply because they had a greater benefactor, the communists. The same is true in Burma and Sudan. The two silent security council members who use these regimes for there own purpose (Russia and China) have there own agenda. The idea that the US has "lost" something in influence is simply false. We lost nothing except an enemy that we all disliked, i.e
cold war Russia, with cold war Russia gone, the rest of the world seemed to have drifted into there own self interest. Notice the lack of protests around the world regarding Burma or Sudan. They will protest with vigor when a murderer like Sadam falls yet are silent when murderers in Sudan and Burma get stronger. Missing logic ? yes indeed.
It is not the logic that is the (a) problem...what I see (including my own comments) is a lot of sarcasm...and there is no logic in sarcasm...it is what it is: sarcastic.
The problem is not an absence of logic among posters. The problems is the lack of moral stand and political authority to lead or influence other nations to the "right" thing.
The US influence is still much needed in many corners around the world as we chat here. The problem is not the supposed posters' lack of logical arguments...The problem is that the US in this case is not up to do the job as it lost its moral ground in the global political arena, lost its ability to influence and wind hearts and minds. No need to say more. Posters here can, at best, be sarcastic and ironic...but that is all!
Diplomatic pressure from China would be important to ending conflict in Burma. Economic sanctions would be the next space where the international community would require support from China in order to be successful. Realistically the regime wouldn't last all that long without being propped up by trade.
The only reason China wanted the Olympics was to set a strong and positive legacy. It doesn't matter if it is an authoritarian government or a democracy, it will be a real strike against china's leadership if the world boycotts their games.
you guys are so lost, China is an authoritarian regime with a history of subjigating and killing millions of there own people, meanwhile you keep
pointing to western interests as the culprit. Its this kind of thinking that fosters and protects despotic regimes like Sudan,Burma. If Hitler was around , he'd love you guys. Rather then point the finger at a despotic dictatorship like China and hold them accountable or fascist Russia(another security council member), you give them a free pass. Kim il Jung loves this kind of logic.
You mentioned that country like China which is not a so called democratic country dont support freedom and poses problem to human rights, civil liberties, freedom of press and internet.
How about USA. That country is a so called democratic country but had invaded Iraq and killed thousands of innocent children, women and men in that course and still continuing, descrimating its own citizen especially those Red-Indian, blacks and other minority, profiling and spying its own citizen via monitoring their movement, phone tapping and intercepting mails not to mention maintaining Guantanamo Prison, supporting dictators in the Midele East etc.
This proposition (from this question)doesn't stand the most simplistic critique or analysis. It simply doesn't. Full stop. It begs belief that such a question was posed to readers in the first place (well, there have been some others in this same note).
Good core argument. Unbeatable.
PS: as for whoever proposed boycott to Brazil on the grounds of discrimination against black people, etc...just for curiosity it would be nice to know if this person is Brazilian, has lived or lives in Brazil, or if this person has lived in US being s/he considered black by that society....I was curiously guessing where in this world there is no discrimination of any kind? Is there a place? Please, tell me because I am black according to USA pattern of race and I will soon be black in Brazil (I feel that I have no choice)! My freedom to determine who I am, my identity is being transferred to others gradually also in Brazil Help! In the, I would have this freedom granted anyhow? If so, I am packing now!
The call by Western Administrations for more sanctions against the regime in Myanmar and encouraging China and India to go along is the height of hypocrisy. The chairman of Total (France) just recently said the company wasn't going to cease operations in Myanmar. Chevron (USA) likewise said the same. Both companies are actually extracting and selling oil from Myanmar at this stage and providing the Myanmar government with much needed revenue. They will be reluctant to pull out unless their respective governments enact legislation to force them to do so. Will that happen when there is so much oil, money and larger geopolitical issues involved? Place your bets...
It is true that pressuring China will not work, especially if the source of Pressure is the USA/UK cabal, the greatest abusers of international law in the last 5 years [Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, et al].
It is curious that the moderators did not mention any of the other major international players in Burma, such as UAS [Chevron], France {total], India [Majpr trade], Singapore [Major trade] Rice importers from Burma, et al. Perhaps sanctions should be applied to them all????
Who is left to apply the sanction Russia??? The answer to this question indicates the absurdity of the proposition of sanction applications.
Notwithstanding the fairy tale that internatinal will is against the actions of Burma, the international cabal is made up of the USA [we will protect Chevron's right to income], her proxies, France, UK, Israel NATO et al, we are all for globalization [a.k.a. labour arbitage, and trade to our own benefit alone]. Now the USA "protectorate" aka Opec, Israel, Egypt et all, does not want any nonsense on human rights, for they are all abusers, with the leader, the self proclaimed SOLE SUPERPOWER, being the worst of the lot. Thus Huiman rights as an intyernational point of discussion is bereft of meaning [UNFORTUNATELY].
You are right miss.
the question should eb very clear to china that wht sort of cooperation we want from china.
other hand putting too much pressure on china will lead the crisis in the eastern world.china is not fast emrging economic power but also a military power and pressing china like Hitler and mussulini style will lead detriotion of relation of relation of west with china.And what right now west achieving by using friendly approach with china will be very difficult.
so do not pressurise but keep friendly approach.
PostGlobal is an interactive conversation on global issues moderated by Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria and David Ignatius of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com, as is On Faith, a conversation on religion. Please send your comments, questions and suggestions for PostGlobal to Lauren Keane, its editor and producer.
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Here we go again with American Observer putting words into my mouth again.
Taking things out of context, American Observer wrote: "As usual, Patrick, your comments make no sense at all. If the United Nations puts sanctions on 'Myanmar,' not only will China and India have to obey the sanctions, but so will 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA).' Thus, Western firms as well as Third-World firms will be shut out of the market. Where is the hypocrisy in that?"
What he did not mention is that I had said that in relation to Total (France) and Chevron (USA): "They will be reluctant to pull out unless their respective governments enact legislation to force them to do so. Will that happen when there is so much oil, money and larger geopolitical issues involved?"
From my statement you can see I understand the wider implications of sanctions on Myanmar. What I was critiquing was the hypocrisy of the various Western governments in attacking China's, and to a lesser extent India's, involvement in Myanmar. If you are going to take the high moral ground then you had better make sure it's not built on loose sand. To allow the Chairman of Total to thumb his nose at the new French Government and for the US State Official to meekly say that Chevron's exemption from sanctions in Burma was grand-fathered in makes a mockery of their respective governments positions on Myanmar.
October 15, 2007 7:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 15, 2007 19:54
Miriam Leitao:
"Let’s think about the Chinese methods of pressure. Will China use diplomatic or economic methods to pressure Burma? Or will it use force and violence, the conventional methods of an authoritarian regime? If China decides to invade Burma as a form of “pressure”, are we supposed to applaud it?"
American Observer replies:
Your arguments are dishonest to the extreme, Miriam. No one has suggested that China should invade Burma, and your implication that they have is simply a lie. Instead, supporters of freedom have suggested that the world should threaten to withdraw from the Olympics if China does not stop sending money and aid to keep the SLORC regime in power. That is as far from violence as night is from day.
October 15, 2007 11:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 15, 2007 11:13
Patrick From NYC says:
" Patrick from NYC:
The call by Western Administrations for more sanctions against the regime in Myanmar and encouraging China and India to go along is the height of hypocrisy. The chairman of Total (France) just recently said the company wasn't going to cease operations in Myanmar. Chevron (USA) likewise said the same. "
American Observer replies:
As usual, Patrick, your comments make no sense at all. If the United Nations puts sanctions on 'Myanmar,' not only will China and India have to obey the sanctions, but so will 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA).' Thus, Western firms as well as Third-World firms will be shut out of the market. Where is the hypocrisy in that?
Or, perhaps you would rather handle things a different way. Perhaps 'Total(France)' and 'Chevron(USA)' should withdraw from 'Myanmar' immediately, and allow firms from China and India to take up their role in the economy. That way Western firms could lose money, and the Third-World firms could make money, and the SLORC regime in 'Myanmar' would still have all of the financial backing it needs to go on shooting monks. Is that what you want? Judging from your previous messages, I think the answer is yes.
October 15, 2007 11:08 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 15, 2007 11:08
if anyone were to boycott the beijing olympics, it should be because of china itself, and not necessarily myanmar. the policies of the chinese where issues of human rights and freedom of religion alone should be sufficient enough to justify a boycott. the myanmar issue can be linked to many countries in southest asia and the crisis there should be dealt with within the sphere of influence by myanmar's closest surrounding neighbors such as malaysia, indonesia, thailand, as well as china. any attempt to hang the burden of the myanmar question solely upon the shouders if the chinese amounts to nothing more than foreign policy utopianism. or the deeps thoughts of america's first lady.
October 14, 2007 3:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 14, 2007 15:41
Alex wrote: >>
Are you trying to imply that the United States doesn't have a history of killing millions of Native Indians? or that one million Americans didn't die as a result of a war of brutal suppression against people of the Southern states during the 1860s? or that the US didn't take the its western states from Mexico by force? or maybe it never enslaved millions of blacks for over a century? or that unequal, systematic racial segregation didn't exist in the US for almost another century after blacks were "emancipated".
October 13, 2007 1:30 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 13, 2007 01:30
quote:
China cares SOMEWHAT about saving face, and the Olympics are a pressure point we can use. We can't get everything we would want from China over Sudan and Burma, but we can get something, and the trick is to figure out how hard we can press them.
---
China had been humiliated for over a 2 centuries, do you think that China care about saving? now they care about prosperity with 10% + economic growth. If you think Olympics can be used as political tool, than you destroy all the hope of those athletists and the spirit of Olympics because every nation can use it to boycott other whenever they're not happy.
Westerners are adepts off using the peacefull purpose tools such Nobel peace award, democracy
and now Olympics for political ends. If you wonder why so many countries won't buy western democracy is because Western countries have abused so much of the peaceful and civilize
ideolology: when a dictator did what Western want, he will be exempt from western democracy bashing, other will face regime change if western is not happy. A double standard policy of western world not only destroy democracy ideology but discredit themself from saying any valuable words for humankind...one day western countries especially U.S will find itself isolated from this world
October 12, 2007 6:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 18:35
Horsham writes:"If you want a friendly and democratic China, supporting the Beijing Olympics is one thing you can do."
yeah, just substitute "Germany" and "Berlin 1936"
for "China" and "Beijing" and you'd see the fallacy.You probably would have given Czech and Poland to Hitler. For a country with a history of killing 5-10 million of its own people and Tiananmen square, you sure are optimistic.
Very sad indeed for the people of Burma. Leftists are useless, always touting freedom and people's rights , yet when tragedies in Burma occur, the only one talking a hard line is Bush. I think the world sees how hypocritical Americans are, both red and blue. No mass protests anywhere regarding Chinese oppression, can anyone say "free pass" ?
October 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 18:30
Or will it use force and violence, the conventional methods of an authoritarian regime?
========================
U mean like America did in Iraq and Vietnam?
October 12, 2007 8:06 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 08:06
Just what pressure can be applied to China? China is now a grown up dragon with all that that brings. It is no longer something middling
but rather a mover and shaker which has to regarded as a world power that will push back when pushed . To think the world will subordinate its core interests on behalf of Burma is a pipe dream. From what I have seen the world does not act on principle but always is parsing the gradations of interests.
October 12, 2007 3:50 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 03:50
Americans are way too willing to overlook the crimes committed by their own government. Only if they apply the same standards on their own government as they do others, they'll all die of starvation naked on the street because they have to boycott everything they buy and own.
Anyway, for those who are shouting boycott, make sure you don't buy anything made in China, even things that contain Chinese made components. Otherwise, you are no better than a chicken eating Vegetarian, a pork eating Muslim, a beef eating Hindu ...hahaha.
October 12, 2007 1:31 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 01:31
"Citizen groups calling for boycotts are the very useful "bad cops" so Western governments can say to China, "we're under enormous domestic pressure over this, can you please get Burma to stop killing those barefoot monks.""
But this game can last only so long. Pretty soon, you will feel silly and stupid.
China's hosting the Olympics is a positive and progressive behavior that is supported by the pride of 1.3 billion people. If you want a friendly and democratic China, supporting the Beijing Olympics is one thing you can do. Then again, some of you couldn't help but drowning in your anxiety and hostility towards a rising China. Shame on those who think the world is not messed up enough and keep politicizing everything.
October 11, 2007 11:15 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 23:15
I am allready boycotting the games. I don't appreciate you characterizing this as naive, as my decision is not. I have worked on prior games, and will not work on this one, watch it, or buy associated products.
What I do find frightfully naive is your apologies for their bad behavior. It's like you're saying 'ok so we all know they're bad, but they have junk we want to buy so as long as we can ignore it we should keep buying'. And so you finance terror with big Wal-Mart smiles.
Your stance strikes me as gutless and greedy, and I condemn it for that.
October 11, 2007 10:27 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 22:27
In the end, it's all about who has got the bigger gun. Americans are just as brainwashed as Chinese or everyone else on earth.
October 11, 2007 4:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 16:03
I'll just point out that anyone like this author who thinks that "China invading Burma" is anywhere near the range of possibility, or even something sought by anyone involved in pressuring China, is so ignorant of Asia reality as to not be taken seriously in any of her comments.
China cares SOMEWHAT about saving face, and the Olympics are a pressure point we can use. We can't get everything we would want from China over Sudan and Burma, but we can get something, and the trick is to figure out how hard we can press them. Citizen groups calling for boycotts are the very useful "bad cops" so Western governments can say to China, "we're under enormous domestic pressure over this, can you please get Burma to stop killing those barefoot monks."
Miriam Leitao's writing is the opposite of useful in this regard.
October 11, 2007 2:13 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 14:13
Kenvon, I totolly agree with you, and it's really sad that alot of Chinese-bashers with zeor IQ; the best they can come with is copy and past the western propaganda, the famous keys words are:
dictator, human right, authoritarian regime, murder...
it's typical pattern of those chinese bashers, they can only spin aroung these few words, dont expect any intelligent form of debat
...and to those Chinese bashers, I want to encourage you to bash even more China, Why? because this is the only way to encourage talents, well educated chinese people in U.S to side & serve China..and encourage them return China to build a better China
On behalf of Chinese gourvernment, Many thanks to China-bashers because China don't have to spend a dime for propaganda, China-Bashers are doing the job right now.
Sun Tzu: Win a war without firing single shot is wise, win chinese people heart and mind with the help of chinese-basher is even wiser...hahaha
October 10, 2007 5:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 17:35
China is a country that has its own problems with human rights like Burma. Sure, China has enough impact on Burma economically and politically. However, China is no where close to correct Burma's recent military crack down on protests. Also, Boycotting China with Olympics contradicts Olympics spirits. Olympics should be separated away from economics and politics although it seems impossible. UN should take a step forward woking close with Burma's neighboring countries and have superpowers such as Britan, France, Russia, China and US involved as opposed to China alone. From a point of view, we can talk about this issue maybe a few more days. At the end of the day, we will all forget about Burma Military Crackdown. WSY?
October 10, 2007 2:43 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 14:43
While I agree on your Burma point, I think we should still boycott the Olympics, but for another reason: Darfur. China, desperate for that country's oil, protects it in the UN and prevents any real actions from being taken to help the refugees.
October 10, 2007 12:14 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 12:14
Its sad that many people living in USA still very naive about what is happening inside/outside their own country. Most still very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a devil and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly analyze things indepth. Its an easy way out. Go ask any US citizen, most likely they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really can express their hatred on Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades even until now!.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? Anyway just to mention as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
As you can see, I am comparing what is good on China against what is bad on USA. I had ignored those positive contributions by USA. Well if such a comparison fair ? of course not. Well, that is the onus I am trying to express here ie. if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses and compared, not only its not fair, it does not give one a balance picture. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at ownself. Like what I had mentioned earlier, when you point your fingure on others, the remaining figures of yours pointed back at yourself.
October 9, 2007 11:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 23:46
Its sad many people living in USA are still very naive about what is happening outside and even inside their own country. Most of them are very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a demon and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly uses their brain to analyze indepth. Its an easy way out. Ask any US citizen, most like they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really hates Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? But to mentioned as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
Sigh ...how to compare ? there are so many ....especially if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at yourself.
October 9, 2007 11:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 23:31
Its sad many people living in USA are still very naive about what is happening outside and even inside their own country. Most of them are very much depending on their so called 'free press and media' to tell them - who to support, who to vote, who to hates, who to like, who is a demon and who is a saint etc etc. They hardly uses their brain to analyze indepth. Its an easy way out. Ask any US citizen, most like they dont even know where is Cuba located but they do really hates Castro as this is what they have been told to do so over and over for decades.
To compare USA and China ? How to compare ? But to mentioned as few:
China has no soldiers stationed in other country other than those on UN's assignments as peacekeeper whereas USA have military bases all over the world.
China did not imposed sanctions and invaded other countries. USA invaded Iraq, among others, hence killing innocent children, women and men all of which classified as collateral damages.
China did not operates illegal prison offshore like the one in Guantamano (yet there are people is USA still think that those prisoners are being treated nicely despite the exposures of those torturing photos).
Chinese population is 1.30 billion whereas USA has about 300 million but when compared with the population in each country's prisons, USA is way outpace China.
China is a creditor to USA whereas the latter is a debtor to the world yet USA is classified as a developed country whereas China is still a 3rd world country.
The present Chinese government alleviated over 400 millions of its citizen from poverty whereas USA causes millions of Iraqi into poverty and broken family
Sigh ...how to compare ? there are so many ....especially if you just want to pick on other's weaknesses. Every countries have its strengths and weaknesses. So dont just pick on other weaknesses and make a fuss out of it without looking at yourself.
October 9, 2007 11:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 23:31
I don't think anyone would believe that China will help in any way to enlighten Burma's democracy movement as China herself is an authoritarian regime.The international appeal to boycotting the Beijing Olympics is more a political gesture than an actual pressure to China that the world is becoming less tolerable to China's so called "no interference to other nation's internal affair" policy that encourage dictatorship and brutality worldwide.
October 9, 2007 11:27 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 23:27
Kenvon, you need to be able to distinguish the diff's between countries. China has a deadly history of killing millions of there own people. They are a totalitarian regime who answers only to themselves. If you think China is anything close to a comparison with the American system, then you really have no idea of what is actually going on in China. Do you think you could even print two lines in a major newspaper in China criticizing the gov ? its amazing you would even attempt the comparison. Americans can point the finger at fcist like regimes in China, Russia and North Korea and Burma etc, we are way better then there systems. If you cant see that then yr not making an intellectually honest assessment.
October 9, 2007 9:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 21:49
To Alex:
My message is-none of those governments exist on this Earth today are CLEAN-they are all dirty in some what or other, some even tainted with blood. In my opinion, no matter how serious a problem is, it cannot be justified by resolving it by bloodshed especially by invading another country and the killing of innocent children, women and men just because you dont like their president or its policies. So dont just pick on China alone. When we accused other governments of human rights and civil liberties abuses, you got to be aware-is your own government which you voted into office (for those so called democratic country),- CLEAN of those alledged abuses ?
Always remember, when you point your fingure on others, the remaining fingures pointed back at yourself. Dont be a hypocrite.
October 9, 2007 9:26 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 21:26
kenvon writes:For those who condemned China and others on human rights abuses, please look at yourself first
Kenvon, you have no clue what the Chinese do to there prisoners. If all they did was slap there heads, tens of thousands of political prisoners would still be alive. Even the obvious nightmares such as forced sterilization and the selling of prisoner organs is common knowledge. Dont defend the Chinese, stop them.I'll take Guantanamo any day of what happens in Chinese prisons, you really have no clue.
October 9, 2007 6:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 9, 2007 18:47
"Essentially, the United States was informing the powers of the Old World that the American continents were no longer open to European colonization, and that any effort to extend European political influence into the New World would be considered by the United States "as dangerous to our peace and safety." The United States would not interfere in European wars or internal affairs, and expected Europe to stay out of American affairs."
Have you heard of the Monroe Doctrine?
---------------
"Our Founding Fathers overcame that fear and left to us a legacy of confidence in the citizen that constitutes our greatest political and moral strength. Our foreign policy has been at its best when it drew from that strength and made of our country a great force for good in the world. Now, after hard years of defending democratic values, our original confidence has been renewed.
Ordinary people are truly the heroes of our time. Ordinary people broke through the Berlin Wall. Ordinary people turned out the dictators. Ordinary people voted for democracy in Central America.
As once our Founding Fathers drew upon confidence in the citizens to build a new democratic society, so now our foreign policy must build upon that same confidence to build a newly democratic international society. That is our opportunity and our challenge. With the help of every American, I am sure we will meet it.
Source: American Foreign Policy Current Documents 1990 (1991), 12-17.
October 8, 2007 8:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 20:28
The Strangest Creature On Earth
by Nazim Hikmet
You're like a scorpion, my brother,
you live in cowardly darkness
like a scorpion.
You're like a sparrow, my brother,
always in a sparrow's flutter.
You're like a clam, my brother,
closed like a clam, content,
And you're frightening, my brother,
like the mouth of an extinct volcano.
Not one,
not five--
unfortunately, you number millions.
You're like a sheep, my brother:
when the cloaked drover raises his stick,
you quickly join the flock
and run, almost proudly, to the slaughterhouse.
I mean you're strangest creature on earth--
even stranger than the fish
that couldn't see the ocean for the water.
And the oppression in this world
is thanks to you.
And if we're hungry, tired, covered with blood,
and still being crushed like grapes for our wine,
the fault is yours--
I can hardly bring myself to say it,
but most of the fault, my dear brother, is yours.
October 8, 2007 7:54 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 19:54
This article is in the World News:
The United States appeares to be illegally torturing terror suspects contrary to denials by President Bush, House Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday.
Interrogations tactics such as simulated drawning, head slapping and exposure to extreme temperatures all amounted to banned torture.
The perception given to the world that USA respect human rights, civil liberties, etc. etc. is illusion just to serve its own interest and justified its bad record.
For those who condemed China and others on human rights abuses, please look at yourself first.
October 8, 2007 7:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 19:44
Arab states boycotted Israel-U.S. boycotts Cuba-U.S. boycotted Iraq-continues to boycott Iran, and on and on it goes. And to what end other than to fuel hatred and hostility. Boycotts are just another means to wage war without the use of weapons and armed attacks. And if you believe it does not involve deaths, just count the number of deaths suffered by Iraq infants during the time America boycotted that most unfortunate country.
And just to go back to the time of the so-called unprovoked attack by the Japanese on Pearl harbour. It came as a retaliation of America's boycott of oil shipments to Japan.
Boycotts do not come without a price
October 8, 2007 11:33 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 11:33
The US could never influence totalitarian regimes which it was not allied with. And when these totalitarian regimes were allied with the US, its influence was still limited. The idea that the US ever had moral leadership is a fallacy. The US held sway during the cold war because it was a choice, the communists or us. We could never change the government in North Korea or North Vietnam even when we had "influence", likewise Cuba or many other despotic regimes simply because they had a greater benefactor, the communists. The same is true in Burma and Sudan. The two silent security council members who use these regimes for there own purpose (Russia and China) have there own agenda. The idea that the US has "lost" something in influence is simply false. We lost nothing except an enemy that we all disliked, i.e
cold war Russia, with cold war Russia gone, the rest of the world seemed to have drifted into there own self interest. Notice the lack of protests around the world regarding Burma or Sudan. They will protest with vigor when a murderer like Sadam falls yet are silent when murderers in Sudan and Burma get stronger. Missing logic ? yes indeed.
October 8, 2007 10:45 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 10:45
It is not the logic that is the (a) problem...what I see (including my own comments) is a lot of sarcasm...and there is no logic in sarcasm...it is what it is: sarcastic.
The problem is not an absence of logic among posters. The problems is the lack of moral stand and political authority to lead or influence other nations to the "right" thing.
The US influence is still much needed in many corners around the world as we chat here. The problem is not the supposed posters' lack of logical arguments...The problem is that the US in this case is not up to do the job as it lost its moral ground in the global political arena, lost its ability to influence and wind hearts and minds. No need to say more. Posters here can, at best, be sarcastic and ironic...but that is all!
October 8, 2007 12:23 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 8, 2007 00:23
Diplomatic pressure from China would be important to ending conflict in Burma. Economic sanctions would be the next space where the international community would require support from China in order to be successful. Realistically the regime wouldn't last all that long without being propped up by trade.
The only reason China wanted the Olympics was to set a strong and positive legacy. It doesn't matter if it is an authoritarian government or a democracy, it will be a real strike against china's leadership if the world boycotts their games.
October 7, 2007 11:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 7, 2007 23:46
you guys are so lost, China is an authoritarian regime with a history of subjigating and killing millions of there own people, meanwhile you keep
pointing to western interests as the culprit. Its this kind of thinking that fosters and protects despotic regimes like Sudan,Burma. If Hitler was around , he'd love you guys. Rather then point the finger at a despotic dictatorship like China and hold them accountable or fascist Russia(another security council member), you give them a free pass. Kim il Jung loves this kind of logic.
October 7, 2007 11:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 7, 2007 23:31
You mentioned that country like China which is not a so called democratic country dont support freedom and poses problem to human rights, civil liberties, freedom of press and internet.
How about USA. That country is a so called democratic country but had invaded Iraq and killed thousands of innocent children, women and men in that course and still continuing, descrimating its own citizen especially those Red-Indian, blacks and other minority, profiling and spying its own citizen via monitoring their movement, phone tapping and intercepting mails not to mention maintaining Guantanamo Prison, supporting dictators in the Midele East etc.
Come on you hypocrite !
October 7, 2007 11:24 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 7, 2007 23:24
You have a point and you've made it.
This proposition (from this question)doesn't stand the most simplistic critique or analysis. It simply doesn't. Full stop. It begs belief that such a question was posed to readers in the first place (well, there have been some others in this same note).
Good core argument. Unbeatable.
PS: as for whoever proposed boycott to Brazil on the grounds of discrimination against black people, etc...just for curiosity it would be nice to know if this person is Brazilian, has lived or lives in Brazil, or if this person has lived in US being s/he considered black by that society....I was curiously guessing where in this world there is no discrimination of any kind? Is there a place? Please, tell me because I am black according to USA pattern of race and I will soon be black in Brazil (I feel that I have no choice)! My freedom to determine who I am, my identity is being transferred to others gradually also in Brazil Help! In the, I would have this freedom granted anyhow? If so, I am packing now!
October 7, 2007 10:34 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 7, 2007 22:34
The call by Western Administrations for more sanctions against the regime in Myanmar and encouraging China and India to go along is the height of hypocrisy. The chairman of Total (France) just recently said the company wasn't going to cease operations in Myanmar. Chevron (USA) likewise said the same. Both companies are actually extracting and selling oil from Myanmar at this stage and providing the Myanmar government with much needed revenue. They will be reluctant to pull out unless their respective governments enact legislation to force them to do so. Will that happen when there is so much oil, money and larger geopolitical issues involved? Place your bets...
October 7, 2007 1:47 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 7, 2007 01:47
It is true that pressuring China will not work, especially if the source of Pressure is the USA/UK cabal, the greatest abusers of international law in the last 5 years [Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, et al].
It is curious that the moderators did not mention any of the other major international players in Burma, such as UAS [Chevron], France {total], India [Majpr trade], Singapore [Major trade] Rice importers from Burma, et al. Perhaps sanctions should be applied to them all????
Who is left to apply the sanction Russia??? The answer to this question indicates the absurdity of the proposition of sanction applications.
Notwithstanding the fairy tale that internatinal will is against the actions of Burma, the international cabal is made up of the USA [we will protect Chevron's right to income], her proxies, France, UK, Israel NATO et al, we are all for globalization [a.k.a. labour arbitage, and trade to our own benefit alone]. Now the USA "protectorate" aka Opec, Israel, Egypt et all, does not want any nonsense on human rights, for they are all abusers, with the leader, the self proclaimed SOLE SUPERPOWER, being the worst of the lot. Thus Huiman rights as an intyernational point of discussion is bereft of meaning [UNFORTUNATELY].
October 6, 2007 10:09 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 6, 2007 10:09
You are right miss.
the question should eb very clear to china that wht sort of cooperation we want from china.
other hand putting too much pressure on china will lead the crisis in the eastern world.china is not fast emrging economic power but also a military power and pressing china like Hitler and mussulini style will lead detriotion of relation of relation of west with china.And what right now west achieving by using friendly approach with china will be very difficult.
so do not pressurise but keep friendly approach.
October 6, 2007 3:35 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 6, 2007 03:35
Boycott Brazil for human rights violation and abuse against Blacks in Brazil. Colonial whites in Brazil discriminate against Blacks in Brazil.
Boycott Brazil until it change its policy toward blacks in Brazil.
October 5, 2007 7:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 5, 2007 19:31