Saturday, September 29

BBC Reports Saturday PM

"Information is patchy as mobile phones and internet access have been interrupted. But the BBC has learnt that there have also been at least three protests elsewhere in Burma, in Mandalay, Sittwe and Pakoku. "

US Looking For More Persuasive Approaches

"The administration seems to regard the violent crackdown on Burmese monks as a long-hoped-for opportunity to get other Southeast Asian nations to rethink their insistence that they should not interfere with the internal politics of their neighbors. The hope is that American pressure might force the Burmese leaders into a political process that would drive them from power, if not from the country.

"Voice of America and Radio Free Asia doubled their broadcasting into the country in Burmese to five hours a day."

Meanwhile, as Christians we believe we have immediate recourse to Providence. We should not simply "let events follow their own course," but understand that God directs all things to his glory. So, for our part, Christians should be asking God to spare the innocent and overthrow the oppressor, (Psalm 72:4) "He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor" and "Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place" (Jeremiah 22:3).

I have been to Myanmar ten times since 2000. It is a land of beauty, peace, and wealth if it were not for the oppressors who have lost all moral authority as the right government of that land. The people of Myanmar voted overwhelmingly to oust Ne Win and his cronies in 1990. The dictator has changed, but the SPDC continues its oppressive ways.

The government of the US should be demanding the immediate release of Suu Kyi together with all the monks and others who have been arrested for nothing more than expressing their opinions.

What can we do in addition to prayers? We can work with the NGOs that will pledge to work with the Myanmar people without enriching the generals or their families. We can put pressure on China, which is the major trading partner of the illegitimate junta that is presently ruling without moral authority.

When the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, then president Carter cancelled US participation in the Moscow summer olympics. President Bush should consider such an action against Beijing if they continue unwilling to pressure the generals.

RB

4 comments:

Bordon Jules said...

You ask "What can we do in addition to prayers?" I would suggest "copy the monks". Large demonstrations in the street by church clerck, christian monks and priests would be noticed by the whole world.

Anonymous said...

Exactly I agree with your point on US should consider similar steps against China as what it did to the then USSR on Mascow Olympics for its invasion of Afghanistan. China's unrelenting support to the brutal generals had made them butchers of their own people. China should stop treating Burmese people as if their own prisoners. I was in Myanmar for extended years and I admired simplicity and honesty of these underprivileged people. Prayers only have to give them ray of hope.

Outspoken said...

Firstly, I would like to point out that it is not only Christians who support peace. You do not have a monopoly on sympathy.
That being said, people of the world, regardless of their spiritual beliefs must all understand the need to oppose oppression of fellow human beings.

Tomorrow is the international day of action in support of the Burmese people and we will be marching in the centre of London.

We should do whatever we can to persuade our governements to take a more direct stance against oppression throughlout the world.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the person above (even though this is an old post). If every Christian turned to God and expected Him to spare the innocent, it would do absolutely nothing. It is important that people understand that real action needs to be taken.

It is, indeed, an excellent idea to boycott Beijing, but I doubt this will happen. Oh, well...there must still be another hope.

Spreading awareness is definitely a plus, seeing as most of the people in America are more concerned with Uganda and African affairs, completely oblivious that conditions in Myanmar as just as severe.