Burmese Days
September 29th, 2007Writing this entry is proving to be difficult, bearing in mind that my two children are celebrating their fifth birthday today and my eight month old Godson is beating hell out of the piano as I write. There will be a party later, with much cake and e numbers.
I am glad to see that the BBC is referring to the self-proclaimed republic of Myanmar as Burma, which means that Rangoon is not Yangon, and that Mandalay is still Mandalay, and is not referred to by some other name that sounds rather unsettling. The dramatic effect of the monks’ intervention has been to remind the world that the Burmese military regime remains one of the most repressive and unpleasant governments in the entire world. It looks to me as if the Army will continue to prevail, although I gather that some soldiers are refusing to fire upon the monks.
The faceless regime has responded by confining the monks to their monasteries and disrupting the internet and mobile phone network. They cannot be faulted for their attention to detail. The problem for them is that we have already seen the results of their “policing”. Even now, protestors are bravely challenging the army on the streets. Am I right to be pessimistic about the prospects of change? Probably. It is difficult for us to understand the degree of fear that has been created amongst the population by the Burmese regime and which emerges from the BBC reports.
I have had a great desire to visit Burma for many years, having been attracted by its winding rivers and dense jungle. Getting near to the Burmese/Thai frontier some years ago via the “Death Railway” from Katchanaburi was some compensation. My visit will not happen, however, as long as dictatorship prevails. The world must do more to ostracise this foul regime which in its varying manifestations has repressed the people of Burma for over forty years. The British have an historic imperial connection with Burma; the onus on us to take the lead here is very great.
In the midst of early election speculation here in the UK, we should pause and consider our good fortune.
