Comments on: Why can’t we just invade Myanmar?

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

As Burma is resource rich I imagine that any intervention would be jumped on by the two most powerful players in the game. America and China. Contrary to popular opinion, neither country would have a qualm about killing off another couple of hundred thousand Burmese. Wouldn’t the idea be to try to save their lives rather than risk them further?

By: steve martin

steve martin — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Apart from setting a precedent,I would have thought that forcible intervention would be counter productive. You might find that the Junta would resist and instead of getting on with the relief you find yourself at war or near war, which would render any attempt at relief lost on the battlefield. The junta in any case has some covert support from India , China and Singapore by way of trade.

By: David

David — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Interesting point about ASEAN getting its act together. My question is, why should they have to be pressured? Why are they not acting as a unified pressure body on the Burmese General without the rest of the world asking them. It appears the only Asian country doing much is Thailand, yet even that Govt is going softly softly. Indonesia are pathetic as usual, their record on human rights is as bad as any country in the region, Burma excepted. Singapore should be making very loud noises as should Malaysia. I agree the major powers should forget pushing for a marchin, but the regional Governments must show some leadership and tell the Generals to act or they will. China doesnt want to get involved in a conflict of any kind, there assistance so far seems to be negligible. Their Olympic Games success is all they are worried about, time their bluff was called. There is a monumental example of genocide being committed against the Burmese people one way or another the illegal regime must pay

By: Connor Moran

Connor Moran — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Why is Crikey (or it’s correspondents) participating in allowing BURMA to be called Myanmar? Even Google seems to be doing it but has put a bracketed “Burma” in their appeal request recently.

By: klaas woldring

klaas woldring — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with the French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner that the time has come to intervene, that is by or on behalf of the UN, not by an individual state or group of powerful states. The 2006 “responsibility to protect” notion provides the opportunity. This would be a step forward for the UN which certainly is, as well all know, in need of reform and in need of given more muscle by the international community, certainly for humanitarian reasons or on ecological grounds. Here is a clear case of irresponsible behaviour and lack of protection which could easily result in an ever greater catastrophe than is already a fact. These incompetent military rulers need to be retired compulsorily by the international community as soon as possible. Their behaviour can only result in further unnecessary loss of life and, very likely civil war, and regional conflict. In my view the UN has a duty to intervene and no time should be wasted about reservations. Action is essential here.