It is interestng to dissect this written analysis now that myanmar is at the cutting edge--


China has long been the Myanmar government's most loyal and lucrative friend, enabling the impoverished Southeast Asian nation's military to grow increasingly powerful and its elite to fatten their own wallets, they said.


India,
Thailand
and Singapore

are other nations to have provided a lifeline to the junta,

and they appear certain to continue placing trade ahead of human rights abuses when determining their priorities in dealing with Myanmar.


<br><br>Post edited by: linsi, at: 2007/09/26 18:24

the International Crisis Group's Asia director, Robert Templer, said



&quot;It's unlikely that there will be any dramatic change in that position. I can't see any shift in (Asian governments' policies) of economic engagement.&quot;



Highlighting this stance, India this week ignored the anti-government protests that have engulfed Myanmar and signed a deal in which it pledged to invest 150 million dollars for gas exploration there.

Meanwhile trade between China and Myanmar has climbed nearly 50 percent in the first eight months of this year to be worth 1.08 billion dollars, according to official Chinese data.

However bilateral trade is widely assumed to be far higher, as undeclared timber, gems and other goods from Myanmar stream across the border into China's southern Yunnan province.


Thailandhas also in recent years sought to compete with the bigger regional powers in securing Myanmar's rich gas reserves and other natural resources.

Bilateral trade between Myanmar and Thailand reached 117.5 billion baht (3.7 billion dollars) in 2006, up 17.5 per cent year-on-year, according to the Thai commerce ministry, with more than half of that in natural gas deals.




&quot;This money is going straight to the generals, that's why they have been able to survive,&quot; said Aung Thu Nyein,

a Thai-based senior associate at Vahu Institute, a private think tank specialising in Myanmar issues.

Templer also described the Asian trade as of tremendous importance to the junta.

&quot;It has sustained the budget for what is quite a large military and provided the opportunity for the elite to enrich themselves,&quot; he said.

Templer said even if all trade with Myanmar stopped, the generals would continue to cling on to power

The Burmese military would sacrifice economic gain in order to remain in power,&quot; he said, referring to Myanmar by its former name.

&quot;That's been a consistent pattern. It's not a government that focuses on development.&quot;



Equally, Asian nations will undoubtedly continue to focus on Myanmar's energy reserves and other natural resources, regardless of political events there, according to Bangkok University vice president Supong Limtanakool.

&quot;If Thai companies ignored Myanmar, we would lose our business opportunities to China, India and Singapore,&quot; he said.



What is ASEAN for? It seems the world could not survive
without the clutches of business and politics and could never rely on respective politicians,and governments-?
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/%20Foreign_Trade/ Asian_trade_a_lifeline_for_Myanmars_generals/articleshow/2403591.cms

Dear Linsi,

To sum up what you've wrote it will not be wrong to suggest that we, Asians, have less compassion compared to others. I know it's a generalisation but what we have witnessed so far we can't be proud of ourselves.

For the sake of getting resources you need for a group of people who have no considerations for neither the country's future nor the people (or common man) but their pockets and their families, countries like China, India, Singapore, Thailand and others as 'criminals in partners'. They are all guilty by association in the 'rape of Burma'.

I'm not the only one who criticise on Asians' lack of compassion when compared to others. Did China or India, with their ever growing double digit economies, stepped in to relieved the pain and sufferring of people who were hit by tsunami? NO! It's countries like Australia and others who shown their generosity.

Even though I'm now living in Australia I can't changed from being an Asian but to be frank, I still have a long way to go when it comes to being from just a 'nominal Buddhist' to 'engaged Buddhist' - be more compassionate towards fellow human beings.

In my opinion, if China and India (together with others countries in the Asia Pacific region) failed to recognise that 'as humans' their stance towards the military regime in Burma and their 'business as usual' attitude, is failing their basic duty towards their fellow human beings.

In propping up the military regime and giving them life support they are akin to watering a poisonous plant from which they will be the victims of that poison. &quot;You'll reap what you sow&quot;, isn't it?

warazein wrote:

QUOTE:
Dear Linsi,

To sum up what you've wrote it will not be wrong to suggest that we, Asians, have less compassion compared to others. I know it's a generalisation but what we have witnessed so far we can't be proud of ourselves.

hi warazein

i know how it feels, i am not an analyst in this matter but i wanted to share some of my thoughts-

i think that we are a product of colonialism, we are the results of years of being under foreign rulers so much so that we were never given a strong sense of leading ourselves-

other asian countries are proud of their races take japan and china- but history tells us that they were more of conquerors rather than being conquered. and i just think this is one of the many factors shaping us into what we are.

correct me if i am wrong-

warazein wrote:

QUOTE:
Dear Linsi,



For the sake of getting resources you need for a group of people who have no considerations for neither the country's future nor the people (or common man) but their pockets and their families, countries like China, India, Singapore, Thailand and others as 'criminals in partners'. They are all guilty by association in the 'rape of Burma'.

i think that Burma like the Philippines have many natural resources, it is the weak government which rob us off these natural resources and offer to others without hesitations.

i think that the key to success is a very efficient government body. as you stated, china, india, thailand and singapore could never put their hands on burma ( like ours too) IF AND ONLY IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN EFFICIENT-

again correct me if i am wrong-

warazein wrote:

QUOTE:
Dear Linsi,


I'm not the only one who criticise on Asians' lack of compassion when compared to others. Did China or India, with their ever growing double digit economies, stepped in to relieved the pain and sufferring of people who were hit by tsunami? NO! It's countries like Australia and others who shown their generosity.

Nevertheless i think we have to develop our own strength to survive when the world goes greedy.In developing our own will to improve life, then counries like australia could be more inspired to support people who strive more isn't it?