Burmese Language
US senator fires warning shot at Obama
A prominent US senator has warned that Burma risks becoming “a province of China” if the US fails to strengthen ties with the country’s isolated military regime.
Senator Jim Webb, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia Subcommittee, said internal divisions had hampered the Obama administration’s policy of increasing engagement with the junta.
“There was a big division in the State Department over whether to do that or not,” Reuters quoted Webb as saying. “I think Secretary [of State Hillary] Clinton was inclined to a certain point to want to try. But there was an awful lot of pressure on the other side.”
Webb has proved an outspoken proponent of engaging with the Burmese regime. In August, he visited Burma, becoming the most senior US official in several years to meet with junta leaders. He also held a private meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at her home in Rangoon.
Webb’s latest comments come as the Obama administration reportedly considers increasing sanctions on the regime. A Congressional Research Service report published earlier this month said this was in part because of the manner in which the Burmese government was conducting this year’s elections, taking place on 7 November.
“Under current federal law, President Obama has the authority to impose certain types of financial sanctions without seeking approval from Congress. However, he must inform Congress if and when he imposes new sanctions,” the report noted.
In September, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell “confirmed that the Obama administration would continue its current policy of diplomatic engagement with the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council], but reiterated that sanctions could be added or removed, depending on the actions of the ruling military junta,” the report said.
“The tighter financial sanctions will most likely be targeted at the leadership of the SPDC and the Burmese military, to avoid harm to the people of Burma. No time-frame was given for when the Obama administration would impose the new sanctions,” it added.
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Obama have one Ace of clubs card in the sleeved.
The way Mr Web seems to see Burma, or any other country for that matter, is to wrestle it out from Chinese grip for itself, not necessarily for the Burmese people.
For what he would do amounts to keeping Burma in the Junta’s hand forever. The junta won’t let Mr Web in just as soon as it sees Mr Web as part of the greater plan of democratization of Burma. Democracy is the junta’s enemy. The US too, as a representative of democracy, is its enemy.
Mr Web would understand these things if he has lived in Burma long enough.
Dear Mr. President,
I believe US Government does not want to be enemy of Burmese peoples either. Mr. President should understand peoples power will always prevailed in the end even though Burmese peoples were oppressing by military Junta for half of century. No citizen should be deserved like what Burmese peoples are suffering today. US Government should support moral encouragement and financial assistant to Burma opposition groups inside and outside Burma. US does not need to be directly military engagement with Burmese military but I’m strongly advice financial and military assistant for Burmese opposition is only solution for limiting of Communist Chinese involvement in Burmese politic. Burmese army is morally corrupted and the trust between high rank and lower rank officers is nearly collapse. We hope Mr. President will not be listening Senator Jim Webb’s advice on dealing with Burmese military Junta. I have some doubt about Senator Jim Webb credibility related to his advice on Burma because Burmese junta is famous for bribing overseas Diplomats and Government official with gift precious Gem stones and Jewelries. Only one thing can stop Burma becoming part of Communist Chinese Empire if Burma was freedom from military Junta. Current Junta and future Burmese Government is not democratically elected by peoples of Burma. US does not broken any UN and International Law because Snr Gen Than Shwe lead Burmese Government is not legitimate Government of Burma. Supporting money and military assistant to opposition army will not be broken any International Law. Burmese peoples do not deserve to discard by any US Government.
Thank you very much for your kindness.
Yours Sincerely,
Sai Lin
Webb is concerned that Burma will end up becoming a province of China, what about the many human rights abuses things like rape torture slavery etc and etc. I think the only ties that should be strengthened with this illegal regime headed by the criminal Thitsaphout Than Shwe is a military invasion to free Burma from this nightmare. We the free world must act against this regime and stop the ongoing human rights abuses. The mere fact that there are Burmese people living in camps in Thailand and then seeking resettlement in other countries around the world is a strong indication that a military Invasion is needed, and not just empty dialogue with this illegal regime who has been thumbing their collective noses at the world for decades. The thought of democracy and freedom for the Burmese people keeps Thitsaphout awake at nights.
TIME
I DON’T THINK THAN SHEW IS DOING WRONG FOR BURMA AND BURMESE.BUT COMPARE HITLER THAN SHEW,HE IS EVEN WORST BECOUSE HITLER SAVE THE GERMANY AND IT’S NATION ARE STILL REMAIN.DURING UNDER THAN OR REGIME’S GENARATION COUNTRY’S ,NATION AND EVEN HIS OWN (THAN SHEW’S FMALIY OR HIS CHILD)DON’T TALK ABOUT THE RESPECT IN TWO THREE DECADES THE SIGN OF BURMA’ IT’S NATION WILL NOT REMAIN.IF THAN SHEW IS ITELLIGENT AND CLAVER PERSON HOW COULD HE PUT BURMESE AND BURMA TO DANGER.WHERE IS THE PLACE FOR HIS OWN CHILD AFTER HIM??????????????
US Govt. should PRESENT a good 5000 tons 0f bomb…onto the Than Shew’s Naypyidaw home.
But they can run into China before that. We need to know the thing…this gay has $50 million dollars home in China ..accodind to the NEWS…he bought..when he had visited China.