Some issues for you to think off.. =)

The blood of Buddhist monks beaten by soldiers loyal to Yangon ran red yesterday at the Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery. Protestors assembled there were mowed down by troops in the city, killing several on the spot.

Yet amid the chaos and the carnage, an old man dared to face down the army, shouting: "You eat food given to you by the people. Yet you kill people and you kill the monks." He spoke for a nation of 50 million who are feeling desperately poor. People feel that they have enough and they have little left to lose, after an era of military rule that dates back to 1962. Isnt this time for civilian to hold the reins of government afer nearly 40 years of military government?

General Than Shwe's incompetent junta triggered the saffron revolution led by monks that the army is now trying to crush. The junta has raised prices last month on items of basic necessities such as fuel, gas, chicken, eggs and cooking oil. This makes people who earn less than US$1 a day driven to desperation in a country blessed with oil, gas, minerals and timber. Where then has the national revenue gone too? The pockets of the ruling military generals of course!According to some Myanmar's officials, during the wedding of General Than Shwe's daughter recently. it was a lavishly affair possibly costing US$ 50 million.

Myanmar's revered Buddhist monks are aminously aware of the citizens suffering. Saffron and red robed monks have been leading crowds of up to 100,000 people in the largest protests since 1988.

What do people want? Freedom for Myanmar's democratic icon Novel Peace Laurette Aung San Suu Kyi, who won a 1990 election only to be declared invalid by the ruling junta. She was then cast aside and was practically held under house arrest.

The people of Myanmar wanted democracy. However Myanmar's democrats can expect little support locally since the ruling junta continues to hold a tight rein around the country. Internationally, little was done except economic sanctions and ocassional public dressdown. The United Nations Security Council has urged "restraint." The United States has imposed and stiffened economic sanctions. Canada, which shuns the junta, has denounced the army's brutal violence. But countries with real sway over Myanmar's junta which is China, India and Russia are doing business as usual.

China is believed to have a great influence over Myanmar, a fact that was denied by China. Undeniably, both countries have been cosy in bilateral, trade and military relations since they both shared communist ideologies. India is Myanmar's western neighbour and both countries have excellent ties. Myanmar has cooperated and acceded to India's request to help them solve their insurgent problems who seeks refuge in Myanmar's jungle, a favour that was much appreciated by India. Another heavyweight is Russia, who has given much support to the military regime.

China and Russia who are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council has effectively blocked US and European efforts to have the Security Council condemn and sanction the junta. China and Russia instead urged restraint on all sides. India prefers national reconciliation, a hope that is very obscure unless the junta is willing to give up its hold on power .

Ultimately, the Myanmar people, armed only with begging bowls for alms and sheer relentless courage, will prevail over this darkness that plagues the clouds of Yangon. This defiance of the junta shames the 3 quartets who have been supporting Myanmar namely, India who claims to be the world's largest democracy. Russia who continues to cast a blind eye on the violence and injustice. And it no doubt gives Myanmar's unelected master's aka China nightmares.

Dian_Farzanna loves Hubby Haz..