This blogger copied the following excerpts from Wikepedia for those who are not familiar with 1988 uprising of Burma. Estimated 3000 people were shot dead by Burmese Army during the uprising.
(The 8888 Uprising was a national revolution in Burma (Myanmar) demanding democracy in 1988. The uprising began on August 8, 1988, and from this date (8-8-88), it is known as the “8888 Uprising. “
University students began demonstrations in Yangon (Rangoon), which spread throughout the country. The uprising ended on September 18, after a bloody military coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Thousands, mostly Buddhist monkscivilians (primarily students) were killed by the and Tatmadaw (armed forces).source Wikepedia
Few months after Burmese revolution Chinese people followed with famous Tiananmen Square Protest. Beijing Government finally crackdown the revolt as follows.
(The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre (天安門事件 in Traditional Chinese, and called the June Fourth Incident六四事件) in China to avoid confusion with the two other Tiananmen Square protests, were a series of demonstrations led by labor activists, students, and intellectuals in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) between April 15 and June 4, 1989. While the protests lacked a unified cause or leadership, participants were generally against the authoritarianism and economic policies of the ruling Chinese Communist Party and voiced calls for democratic reform within the structure of the government. The demonstrations centered on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, but large-scale protests also occurred in cities throughout China, including Shanghai, which stayed peaceful throughout the protests. In Beijing, the resulting military crackdown on the protesters by the PRC government left many civilians dead or injured. The toll ranges from 200–300 (PRC government figures), to 400–800 ( (The New York Times), and to 2,000–3,000 (Chinese student associations and Chinese Red Cross))
Blogger’s thought
After almost 20 years, the wheel of history turn one round again. During the recent August –September 2007 Burmese Saffron revolution,it was initially led by students and activist. However once these leaders were arrested Buddhist Monks took over the leadership.
Burmese Military Junta brutally suppressed again, but this time, the whole world got a chance to watch in disbelief, how Burmese Army has shot the innocent people led by Monks. A Japanese photojournalist was shot at point blank by a slipper wearing Burmese soldier. This video footage, which was repeatedly broadcast together with beating and arrest of Monks and activists, revealed the chilling reality and nature of Military Dictators of Burma.
Aftermath of Saffron revolution was a political deadlock. Military Junta refused UN intervention. Junta, unilaterally decided to continue with the road map that will legitimize Junta’s drafted constitution.
1988 uprising was unknown to most people of free world, as Junta had promptly shut down the all communication with outside world. World’s attention shifted quickly to Tiananmen Square Protest. Eventually, Burmese revolution has been forgotten by ordinary people of the free world.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was the only unexpected gift to Burma’s 1988 uprising.
She became well known international figure, as she was awarded, Nobel peace prize . She was famous not only as General Aung San’s daughter, but also for her courage and determination that was demonstrated by not bowing to Junta’s demand, even though most of her time in Burma was under house arrest.
Now Tibet people led by Buddhist Monks have revolted the Chinese Government again. For China, 2008 is very important as a host country of Olympic game. World focus is hundred percent again on Tibet Revolution.
Tibet Spiritual leader Dalai Lama denied his involvement in Tibet uprising. Tibet Revolution will hijack Burmese Saffron revolution or it will be snowballing into bigger threat to both rulers of China and Burma is still unclear.
Dalai Lama has said “Stay together with Chinese peacefully, and stop revolution” or he will resign .
Chinese economy and standard of living jumped from underdeveloped poor country into emerging superpower during last two decades. At least Chinese people could enjoy the economic prosperity under Communist leadership.
But Burmese Economy has prospered only for a group of people, that is Junta and it’s cronies. The rest of Burmese people are in extreme poverty. All the economic indicators were touching red, and in bottom. Burma became one of the least developed countries, as well as most corrupt and lawless society.
To be fair to Chinese Communist regime, they were working hard for their own people prosperity, while Burmese Generals were busy selling oil, gas, gem stones, timber to gold with below market price to countries like China, Russia, and India for their survival and benefit.
Eventually we will see the outcome. To this blogger the light has been seen at the end of the tunnel.
Sit Mone
Sit Mone's Mosaic Thoughts 