Comments on: ASEAN mission on reports of massacre of thousands of monks and protestors by military junta last week http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/ for Malaysia Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:41:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Loyal Malaysian http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50289 Loyal Malaysian Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:14:29 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50289 "What I am saying is that, no matter the regime's physical power, in the end they can't stop the people; they can't stop freedom. We shall have our time." -extract of a conversation between John Pilger and Suu Yi about 10 years ago I can only hope the sufferings of the Burmese people and monks at the hands of this ruthless regime will end soon. Not much else seems to be happening other than calls & exhortations for the army to cease and decease. “What I am saying is that, no matter the regime’s physical power, in the end they can’t stop the people; they can’t stop freedom. We shall have our time.”
-extract of a conversation between John Pilger and Suu Yi about 10 years ago
I can only hope the sufferings of the Burmese people and monks at the hands of this ruthless regime will end soon. Not much else seems to be happening other than calls & exhortations for the army to cease and decease.

]]> By: undergrad2 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50105 undergrad2 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:46:37 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50105 "The stick would be to take military action, if they fail to give up power. Increasingly, this looks to be the only recourse. And it is better that ASEAN do it, rather than anyone else." Yes, I can just imagine our Armed Forces with obsolete military hardware like 20 year old Belgium and French armored personnel carriers, Russian supplied second hand malfunctioning AK47s and second hand US supplied M16s, cannons and obsolete and malfunctioning aircraft purchased from Pakistan Air Force and ill trained soldiers and pilots and half-completed French submarines making their way to Myanmar - only to be stopped by a defying monk lying prostrate in their path! It would be cheaper to unleash the 'little red dragons' to the generals. That should keep them occupied for a while. “The stick would be to take military action, if they fail to give up power. Increasingly, this looks to be the only recourse. And it is better that ASEAN do it, rather than anyone else.”

Yes, I can just imagine our Armed Forces with obsolete military hardware like 20 year old Belgium and French armored personnel carriers, Russian supplied second hand malfunctioning AK47s and second hand US supplied M16s, cannons and obsolete and malfunctioning aircraft purchased from Pakistan Air Force and ill trained soldiers and pilots and half-completed French submarines making their way to Myanmar - only to be stopped by a defying monk lying prostrate in their path!

It would be cheaper to unleash the ‘little red dragons’ to the generals. That should keep them occupied for a while.

]]> By: undergrad2 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50102 undergrad2 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:32:41 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50102 Why should China want to interfere? Myanmar is a large market for Chinese military hardware and technology - which has run into the billions of US dollars. Why should China want to interfere? Myanmar is a large market for Chinese military hardware and technology - which has run into the billions of US dollars.

]]> By: ablastine http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50094 ablastine Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:00:31 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50094 I do not know whether Megaman is horrified because what I wrote reverberate the truth or that he is horrified because I painted too gory and extreme a picture for public consumption. Naturally the part about Islamic militant suicide bombers and Osama and gang coming to the rescue are just crap. The military government in Pakistan is as dominant as ever despite the country being Islamic with her fair share of suicide bombers. It was just made out to suggest that the Buddhist faith does not prepare its disciples to go to war or revolution because they are really teachings to live life. The Islamic faith has more militancy in it and as such will be in a better position to protect themselves against reckless force. As I can see, there is no particular reason why the Generals will want to make any concessions on the country. They are firmly in charge and know full well that external pressure are at most perfunctory and just irirtating. They are in the most previlege position and nobody can do anything about it. Those who can will not although those who can't want to. Nobody is going to fight the war for a democratic Burma except the Burmist themselves. Having a government in exile preparing for an overpowering army with the assistance of the world with the latest and best hardware in warfare is the only way out. The Generals will have no alternative but to stand down when surrounded by hundreds of thousands of well trained troops from the army in exile. Power comes from the barrel of the gun. Overwhelming superiority is the only option that can avoid bloodshed because to resist is to be annihilated. When the Gangsters Generals get the idea they will again shit their guts out begging for mercy and return the country to Ang SSY. I do not know whether Megaman is horrified because what I wrote reverberate the truth or that he is horrified because I painted too gory and extreme a picture for public consumption. Naturally the part about Islamic militant suicide bombers and Osama and gang coming to the rescue are just crap. The military government in Pakistan is as dominant as ever despite the country being Islamic with her fair share of suicide bombers. It was just made out to suggest that the Buddhist faith does not prepare its disciples to go to war or revolution because they are really teachings to live life. The Islamic faith has more militancy in it and as such will be in a better position to protect themselves against reckless force.

As I can see, there is no particular reason why the Generals will want to make any concessions on the country. They are firmly in charge and know full well that external pressure are at most perfunctory and just irirtating. They are in the most previlege position and nobody can do anything about it. Those who can will not although those who can’t want to. Nobody is going to fight the war for a democratic Burma except the Burmist themselves.

Having a government in exile preparing for an overpowering army with the assistance of the world with the latest and best hardware in warfare is the only way out. The Generals will have no alternative but to stand down when surrounded by hundreds of thousands of well trained troops from the army in exile. Power comes from the barrel of the gun. Overwhelming superiority is the only option that can avoid bloodshed because to resist is to be annihilated. When the Gangsters Generals get the idea they will again shit their guts out begging for mercy and return the country to Ang SSY.

]]> By: Bigfoot http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50027 Bigfoot Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:34:16 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50027 It looks like ASEAN is a weak paper tiger when it comes to dealing with Burma. It's policy of constructive engagement has clearly failed. To make matters worse, many ASEAN nations have vested interests in Burma. And it is clearly not using whatever leverage it has on Burma. One thing ASEAN can do, is to take a carrot & stick approach. The carrot would be to offer safe haven for the Burmese military dictatorship (in otherwords, a life of exile), if they were to step down, and let a civilan government take over in its place. This may be palatable to ASEAN, given that they are so reluctant to act otherwise. The stick would be to take military action, if they fail to give up power. Increasingly, this looks to be the only recourse. And it is better that ASEAN do it, rather than anyone else. It looks like ASEAN is a weak paper tiger when it comes to dealing with Burma. It’s policy of constructive engagement has clearly failed. To make matters worse, many ASEAN nations have vested interests in Burma. And it is clearly not using whatever leverage it has on Burma.

One thing ASEAN can do, is to take a carrot & stick approach.

The carrot would be to offer safe haven for the Burmese military dictatorship (in otherwords, a life of exile), if they were to step down, and let a civilan government take over in its place. This may be palatable to ASEAN, given that they are so reluctant to act otherwise.

The stick would be to take military action, if they fail to give up power. Increasingly, this looks to be the only recourse. And it is better that ASEAN do it, rather than anyone else.

]]> By: megaman http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50021 megaman Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:21:40 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50021 First of all, I am horrified by ablastine's posts. I hope you are not serious. Secondly, let's forget about KJ and the other BN goons. It is so obvious that he's just in it for the cheap publicity. Sickens me to the bone so less mentions of him would do my health a lot more. Thirdly, let's forget about ASEAN or any external countries making any impact on Myanmar. Not even superpower USA or neighboring China. Changes have to come from the local population themselves. You may say that the military junta has arms and weapons but how many can you kill before the ordinary soldiers themselves revolt against the generals ? I am sorry but there may need to be a lot more bloodbath before the military junta can toppled by people power in Myanmar. They should have done earlier before the military junta managed to create such a stranglehold on the country. Now, the only possible way out would a path similar to how the Cambodians removed the Khmer Rouge regime. Sad but this is how I foresee things will happen. I pray I would be proven wrong. First of all, I am horrified by ablastine’s posts. I hope you are not serious.

Secondly, let’s forget about KJ and the other BN goons. It is so obvious that he’s just in it for the cheap publicity. Sickens me to the bone so less mentions of him would do my health a lot more.

Thirdly, let’s forget about ASEAN or any external countries making any impact on Myanmar. Not even superpower USA or neighboring China. Changes have to come from the local population themselves. You may say that the military junta has arms and weapons but how many can you kill before the ordinary soldiers themselves revolt against the generals ? I am sorry but there may need to be a lot more bloodbath before the military junta can toppled by people power in Myanmar. They should have done earlier before the military junta managed to create such a stranglehold on the country. Now, the only possible way out would a path similar to how the Cambodians removed the Khmer Rouge regime.

Sad but this is how I foresee things will happen. I pray I would be proven wrong.

]]> By: RealWorld http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50018 RealWorld Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:17:07 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50018 "KJ is committed to himself and little to anything else - a yuppie in the new millenium when we should have god rid of them after the 1980s.." - Bigjoe There is indiscriminate killings in Burma and here you are ranting about KJ. It was a public protest, cant the lad go and show his support to the Burmese people?? It is very sad to see gimps taking advantage of the Burma's situation to attack certain political leaders they are not affiliated with. “KJ is committed to himself and little to anything else - a yuppie in the new millenium when we should have god rid of them after the 1980s..” - Bigjoe

There is indiscriminate killings in Burma and here you are ranting about KJ. It was a public protest, cant the lad go and show his support to the Burmese people??

It is very sad to see gimps taking advantage of the Burma’s situation to attack certain political leaders they are not affiliated with.

]]> By: Jimm http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50016 Jimm Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:05:27 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50016 We cannot do anything for Myanmar as this country is among one of those poorer in ASEAN. The fact that they would have certain form of backups from rich countries or individuals over their JUNTA. There is sign of PEACE movement that will shock this region and the world. The raising of this movement to bring about democratic reform will also bring about new generation of political environment changes. It's going to be a rapid spread among ASEAN and ASIA region too. It's the beginning of the end of an old democratic practices which lasted a few centuries. We have to prepare ourselves to the coming of the new era. We cannot do anything for Myanmar as this country is among one of those poorer in ASEAN. The fact that they would have certain form of backups from rich countries or individuals over their JUNTA.
There is sign of PEACE movement that will shock this region and the world. The raising of this movement to bring about democratic reform will also bring about new generation of political environment changes.
It’s going to be a rapid spread among ASEAN and ASIA region too.
It’s the beginning of the end of an old democratic practices which lasted a few centuries.
We have to prepare ourselves to the coming of the new era.

]]> By: Bigjoe http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50007 Bigjoe Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:58:38 +0000 http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/10/02/asean-mission-on-reports-of-massacre-of-thousands-of-monks-and-protestors-by-military-junta-last-week/#comment-50007 KJ is committed to himself and little to anything else - a yuppie in the new millenium when we should have god rid of them after the 1980s.. What is most sad and pathetic about ASEAN countries is their inability to see what an opportunity a pro-active solution in Myanmar as being suggested by Sdr. Lim here can be. If the Junta is not forced into democractic changes this time, they are likely not to change for decades to come and worst is yet to come. This is the best opportunity to force changes in a long time in Myanmar. ASEAN refusal to intervene is founded on one thing - their own fear of democractic movement in their own countries. Their reliance and need for autocratic rule. If ASEAN countries proactive take action, it will provide a basis for criticism of their own undemocratic practises. But what these ASEAN existing ruling party don't see is that if they fail to act and if the monks, with help from other parties, succeed in making democratic changes in Myanmar, they themselves lose legitimacy in the eye of their own citizens. For that, all Malaysians and Asian should do whatever it can to help the Myanmar people. I am all for Sdr. Lim leading an ASEAN delegation, make up of any group, political, ngos to convey ASEAN people demand that junta implement democratic reform. KJ is committed to himself and little to anything else - a yuppie in the new millenium when we should have god rid of them after the 1980s..

What is most sad and pathetic about ASEAN countries is their inability to see what an opportunity a pro-active solution in Myanmar as being suggested by Sdr. Lim here can be. If the Junta is not forced into democractic changes this time, they are likely not to change for decades to come and worst is yet to come. This is the best opportunity to force changes in a long time in Myanmar.

ASEAN refusal to intervene is founded on one thing - their own fear of democractic movement in their own countries. Their reliance and need for autocratic rule. If ASEAN countries proactive take action, it will provide a basis for criticism of their own undemocratic practises.

But what these ASEAN existing ruling party don’t see is that if they fail to act and if the monks, with help from other parties, succeed in making democratic changes in Myanmar, they themselves lose legitimacy in the eye of their own citizens.

For that, all Malaysians and Asian should do whatever it can to help the Myanmar people. I am all for Sdr. Lim leading an ASEAN delegation, make up of any group, political, ngos to convey ASEAN people demand that junta implement democratic reform.

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