Burmese live in climate of fear (Updated)

The Bush Administration today published laws restricting assets of some members of the Myanmar government;

In response to the Government of Burma’s continued repression
of the democratic opposition in Burma, and consistent with Executive
Order 13310 of July 28, 2003 and Executive Order 13448 of October 18,
2007, this final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations
(EAR) to move Burma into more restrictive country groupings and impose
a license requirement for exports, reexports or transfers of most items
subject to the EAR to persons listed in or designated pursuant to
Executive Orders 13310 and 13448.

And the Australian government is “fleshing out” it’s own program of restrictions according to the Australian press;

Last month, Prime Minister John Howard announced the moves in an effort to convince the military rulers to tone down their hard line against pro-democracy demonstrations.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the measures would be directed against 418 individuals, made up of members of the Burmese regime, their associates and supporters.

Those on the list include members of the State Peace and Development Council, their spouses and children, as well as regional commanders and their immediate family.

Also on the list are deputy regional commanders, government ministers, deputy ministers and their immediate families.Â

But the Washington Post reports that it’ll probably do little in the short term, since Burmese people live in fear of the Myanmar government;

But they talk about it only in whispers, looking over their shoulders to see who might be listening. The government has blocked access to several Internet chat and e-mail sites, and people assume their phone conversations are not private, given that the government controls all the country’s telecommunications.

“The people, we all feel so cramped up inside,” said a 66-year-old man in Rangoon. “We cannot talk. We cannot do anything. This government, they are killers. They have guns, but the people have nothing.” He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have anyone to talk to about these things.”

Sounds like a commercial for the Second Amendment.

Global protests are being planned, specifically targeting Chinese Embassies;

Demonstrations will take place in 12 cities around the world against Burma’s continuing detention of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

Protests are being planned at Chinese embassies, as campaigners say Beijing holds the key to Suu Kyi’s release.

UPDATE: AP writes that China and Russia have blocked UN sanctions against the Myanmar government;

China and Russia urged Myanmar’s military rulers to talk with the country’s opposition but said Wednesday that they opposed any U.N. sanctions against the junta.
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The two veto-wielding countries on the U.N. Security Council say Myanmar’s crushing of pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks was an internal issue, a position that has prevented discussions of sanctions.

Foreign Ministers Yang Jiechi of China and Sergey Lavrov of Russia said at a meeting with India’s Pranab Mukherjee that, instead of punishment, they support efforts by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to open talks between the opposition and the ruling generals.

Category: Foreign Policy, Politics