Friday, October 12

China joins in strong statement to Burma - YIPPPEE!!

We go into the weekend on a hopeful note. From Reuters, October 12, 2007:
UNITED NATIONS -- China joined Western powers for the first time to deplore Myanmar's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations and call for political dialogue in a statement issued Thursday by the U.N. Security Council.

The statement urged the military regime, which has ruled Myanmar for 45 years, to free all political prisoners and protesters soon and prepare for a "genuine dialogue" with main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The policy statement is not legally binding, but because it required the consent of all 15 Security Council members, it left the Myanmar government isolated, Western diplomats said.

It was the first time the Security Council had taken official action on Myanmar and marked a shift for China, a neighbor and key trading partner that had previously used its veto to prevent criticism of the country's authorities.

The United Nations said special envoy Ibrahim Gambari would leave over the weekend for an Asian tour that would include his second visit to Myanmar since the regime suppressed the demonstrations led by Buddhist monks last month. [...]
Yes! Now Delhi and certain ASEAN governments might screw up their courage!

Reuters also quoted U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad as saying about Burma, "We will not relent. We will persist." Yes!

As for the UN envoy, he wasn't supposed to return to Burma until November. He is showing great tenacity. Godspeed Ibrahim Gambari!

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