IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

By Ethan Bourne (Political Analyst)

CNN reported as soldiers reportedly fired into crowds and beat Buddhist monks last week during a brutal crackdown by Burma’s military regime on anti-government demonstrations in Rangoon. A Burmese citizen made a risky phone call to CNN from the heart of the protests, describing a deteriorating scene in the streets. The person asked not to be named for security reasons. “People are shot and they are running. The soldiers shoot the people … some people are walking on the street and shouting,” she said, adding she witnessed government troops shooting a man, she said over a bad connection.”No one can help us. We have no weapons. The military junta has weapons and they are doing what they want. We have no rights.” She appealed to the international community for help. “We don’t want that kind of government. Who can help us? Who can help us? I want (United Nations) or many nations to help us,” she said before the line cut out.

It was a woman putting her life on the line asking for help from the United Nations and the whole international community. What she was asking for is what 50 million people of Burma want today, not tomorrow. US President George W. Bush on Tuesday unveiled new sanctions on Burma’s military rulers and urged global pressure for democratic reforms to end the junta’s decades-old reign of fear. US should do more to influence the Burmese situation. US should push UN to send in peace-keeping forces if US cannot afford to send in its own forces because Burma does not have the resources US wants. What Burma needs today is the United Nations to send in peace-keeping troops.

The United Nations’ Security Council has urged Burma’s military government to exercise restraint towards peaceful protesters. Will the Burmese generals listen? The answer is “Hell, No!” The council expressed concern at the government’s violent response to demonstrations in Rangoon, Burma. Expressing a concern will not stop the Burmese army from shooting the unarmed monks on the streets of Rangoon. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the military junta to exercise “utmost restraint” and announced that Mr. Gambari was heading to the region immediately to press the UN’s offer to help promote national reconciliation through dialogue. UN is wasting time and energy for the most undiplomatic regime in the world. The regime in Burma is immune to diplomatic rebukes or sanctions. Mr. Gambari briefed the emergency meeting of the council behind closed doors on the latest developments and was then leaving for the region. How many times did Mr. Gambari brief the UN on Burma? The council urged Burmese authorities to give him a visa so he could enter the country. Sending a UN representative will make no difference. Sending in peace-keeping forces will save Burmese lives and make a difference for the long run.

Holding meetings for what to do about Burma will not deter the Burmese army from shooting its own people. Stop issuing statements! Stop holding meetings! Start acting now! It is not just politics on the table. It is Burmese lives put on the line. UK, US and ASEAN should push UN to send in peace-keeping forces to Burma as soon as possible. It is time to cut the red tape and send in peace-keeping forces. The Burmese regime has shown its true face again by shooting unarmed monks protesting peacefully in the streets of Rangoon. How many more lost lives does the UN want to see on the streets of Rangoon? How much more blood does Burma have to shed?