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09/01/2007: "Nagalim God's gift, says UNC Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network"


Nagalim God's gift, says UNC Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, August 31: "Nagalim is not the gift of any Maharajah nor of any colonial power, but God's gift to the Nagas.

Land and people to the Nagas is inseperable.

We have every right to descend them at all cost. The wish of the Nagas to be under one administrative roof is the legitimate birth right and no power on earth will stop it.

We do not oppose the historical aspirations of all communities if and when they desire to rule themselves and express themselves through decision for any of their communities living in any part of the world," declared the United Naga Council (UNC) while reacting to the measures taken up by various political parties based in Manipur in the wake of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC)'s decision to urge upon the Government of India for the integration of all contiguous Naga areas.

UNC Information and publicity secretary, S Milan appealed to all citizens to reason together on the "uniqueness of Nagalim that the present Naga areas which is seperated by artificial boundaries are all contaguous, share common traditional laws, customs, and only the Nagas live in Nagalim except for recent development".

The UNC asserted that no one will lose anything by Naga unification "because we do not claim an inch of land that belongs to others.

Nagas are one and therefore one should not wonder for any development towards Naga unification." The Naga body suggested that it is the right time to support one another in the process of building history on land and the people saying that the Nagas will honour the history of all communities big or small but not to man-made artificials, done without the knowledge and concerns of the Nagas.

The UNC hailed the annual general session of the NPCC held at the Congress Bhavan, Kohima for adopting a "bold resolution to urge the Govt of India on Naga integration which had remained illusive and unfulfilled for the last 47 years." The UNC cautioned all not to hamper the "nation building process of united Nagalim".

"Parties and leaders may come and go but Naga history will never perish.The Nagas will fight till the cherished dream is achieved," commented the United Naga Council.
Zeliangrongs demand justice without delay The Morung Express
Dimapur, September 1 (MExN): Sharp censure continues from the Zeliangrong community against the razing of Jalukie Zangdi by NSCN-IM cadres and subsequent justification offered by the underground faction. A hurt Zeliangrong community today lamented that the NSCN-IM’s ‘inimical attitude’ will now raise eyebrows every time they talk about integration. The ‘intolerable and shameful’ action perpetrated by the outfit’s ‘unscrupulous functionaries’ is censured by the Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Union and Zeliang People Organization, among others. The Baudi has even cautioned of “outspoken steps and action” till justice is delivered.
A Zeliangrong Baudi statement strongly criticized the ‘distorted statement’ made by “a self-oriented person/ leader” of the NSCN-IM. Stating that the “eviction” of the village is not justified, the Baudi informed that both the contending villages and land belong to Zeme of Zeliangrong, which falls under Peren district. The matter is a village-dispute that should be referred to the land owner for settlement and if at all the NSCN-IM was sought for settlement, it should have taken consent and direction of the Zeliangrong people’s apex body, the Hoho reminded.
It also lamented that the action was taken as per the representation submitted to the outfit by Manglumukh village without considering the facts and reality produced by the Zeliangrong Baudi in its representation submitted to the same authority on August 14, 2007. This proves the biased attitude of the NSCN-IM and is intentionally ignoring the voice and right of the landowner, it stated.
“For justice sake and to safeguard the prestige of our Naga nation, the matter must without delay be resolved. Failing to do so as par the truth, we shall resort to take outspoken steps and action till justice is duly done to our people and to Naga nation before the world” the Baudi warned.
The Zeliangrong Union also flayed the NSCN-IM action as shameful and intolerable. Expressing anguish at the attitude of the outfit to the community, a note from the union stated it is “ever ready to give away the Zeliangrong land to Mias (Bangladeshis).” The union queried if this is the ploy the NSC-IM is using to segregate the community from the Naga cause. “What are we to do with sovereignty if our land is given to other” the union stated through its president K Mark Guing, in the note.
The Zeliang People Organization ridiculed the NSCN-IM for taking up arms against own brethren and this ‘cuts a sorry picture.’ The recent arson will go down in Nagas’ history as a blot and eyebrows would be raise when the NSCN-IM talks of integration and sovereignty, a note from the organizations stated. It also advised not to “make us comprehend that the objectivity of the Naga movement is just confined to burning villages, collecting taxes etc.” The organization also flayed the state government for yet again failing to ensure protection of its people when it was need the most. The government is asked to provide immediate relief to the affected families and bring the culprits to book. The NSCN-I is also asked to terminate the erring cadres.
Jamir backs 1984 deal for border settlement The Morung Express
Testupila (Mokokchung), September 1 (MExN): Former Chief Minister of Nagaland and present Goa Governor Dr SC Jamir today said that the border issue between the states of Assam and Nagaland should be, and can best be, settled by the people themselves and called for peaceful co-existence among the different communities living in the disputed areas.
Interacting with a six-member delegation of Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) led by its president BP Bora at Tetsupila Check Gate this morning while enroute to Mokokchung, Jamir pointed out that harmony and peace have prevailed among the Assamese and Nagas for centuries and urged the leaders to maintain this cordial relationship.
“Our forefathers have lived together in peace like brothers, so we Nagas and Assamese should also live like brothers,” the Governor opined. He said the 1984 Saikia-Jamir Agreement was a humane and more practical agreement between the two peoples which took into consideration the ground realities since both of them, Saikia and Jamir, were very closely related with the peoples of the areas and knew what their aspirations were.

Goa Governor Dr SC Jamir with the President of the BPCC BP Bora this morning at the Rest House, Tetsupila Check Gate, Mokokchung.
He said that if this 1984 agreement were to be implemented, there would have been a clear cut boundary right from the tri-junction of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland border where there could have been some give-and-take for both the parties, but which would have satisfied all the people in the entire border belt.
He however regretted that due to powers-that-be who did not know the ground situation and who had never even visited the areas, the agreement could not be implemented. He appealed to the delegation not to blow up issues out of proportion saying that such news create bad impression and spoil relations between peoples.
“Why should there be border disputes between us? Whether the land is there in Assam or here in Nagaland, we are all part of the same country and there is no reason why fellow-countrymen should fight over land,” he reasoned. “Moreover, we people of the northeast should realize that our collective interests can be fulfilled most only when we start to consider the entire region as a single political, social and economic unit.”
BP Bora, president of the committee was of the opinion that the Supreme Court’s setting up of a Boundary Commission to settle the issue may not be very practical since the members may not know the ground realities and psyche of the people living in the affected areas.
The Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam Nagaland) was formed on August 19, 2005 after a “historic” meeting of NGOs, village elders, Police and administration officials from both the states at Saring, Assam, and the Committee continues to work for “protection of peace and tranquility” in the border areas.
Call for ‘humane approach’ to resolve land conflict NPMHR, NMA makes on-the-spot investigation The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): A team of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Mothers Association (NMA) made a spot investigation at the conflict that has arisen between Manglumukh village and Jalukie Zangdi village to ascertain the recent gutting of a score of houses on August 28. While witnessing the claims and counter claims of both parties involved, the joint team was of the opinion that “a peaceful and humane approach should be applied to study and resolve the contention through dialogue and mutual cooperation”.
NPMHR sources informed that the damage was as reported in the media. 30 houses razed. Of the number, 19 were ‘inhabited’ while the rest were basically storages or appendages and hutments. Interactions were also had with the affected villagers, the source informed.
“NPMHR appeal to all concerned to refrain from issuing any communally charged statements or things that will further inflame the situation. Statements issued to the media often by arm-chair activists without proper investigation into the events tends to create more tension instead of applying balm to the conflict to resolve the critical issue”, stated Atoho Kiho Convener, Nagaland NPMHR in a press note received here.
Pointing out that when Nagas are in the midst of dialogues with the neighboring communities to restore traditional ties and to slowly resolve traditional boundary issues, it was “expected of every conscious Naga from different communities to approach issues with sensitivity and avoid all unrealistic and emotional overtones”. “We appeal all to approach the issue without prejudice and through impartiality with a shared vision that all Nagas including other struggling communities can expect shared freedom and genuine justice through the establishment of mutual respect and understanding”, the NPMHR stated.
NPMHR also stated that conflict of this nature, despite unwanted, had “become inevitable in an age of globalization with the various interplay of vested forces to exploit resources and alienate land which traditionally belongs to the Nagas, including the other ethnic minority communities of the state”. In order to establish a just and humane society the NPMHR called on the concern authorities to intervene to engage both the parties in conflict through proper processes without causing further destruction to properties or exacerbation of the tensions.
“NPMHR is of the opinion that with the gradual opening of foreign actors into the traditional homeland for exploitation of resources, more conflict is likely to be generated over the share of resources, amongst communities and between state and community”, it stated and therefore called for “urgent need to identify already existing mechanism or establish new mechanism to resolve conflict without which peaceful resolution of conflict and establishment of a humane society will be a far cry”.
Naga political dairy in brief and solution through confession of "sins" thereof Nagaland Post
At times like this, when the people are in confusion for our political solution and confronting the ideas for what to do? And when the collective leadership declared in their press statement, saying, "Solution delayed by Sumis" it is the moral duty of all the Naga senior citizens to give comment on the question of "where is the solution?" and "how to have the solution?" as such, I being one of the senior citizen give my comment and suggestions as follows.
The Naga nationalists felt that, the Naga political solution would be found through memorandum, discussion, plebiscites, wars and dialogues thereby searched for it. But they could not find any solution any where, now we have located in the court of God. Now the Nagas must confess our sins to God for our political solution. See Matthew 6:33 "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you".
Our ancestors had thought of getting our solution from the British India and submitted the Memorandum to Simon Commission in 1929 that visited Kohima. But, no solution out of that "Leave us alone" Memorandum. The Britishers did not spell a word for the Nagas during the departure from India, except encourage the formation of NNC in 1946, which cause the Blood Bath for more than six decades. Secondly, our ancestors had in mind to solve our solution with Indians through mutual discussions. Accordingly, under the banner of the NNC, lead by than NNC President Mr. Imti Aliba Ao that visited Delhi with the Naga delegation in August 1947 and met with Mahatma Gandhi , the Father of the India National and conveyed the wishes of the Naga People, that says "the Nagas are the independent people and not the Indians" in response, Mahatma Gandhi said "if the Nagas says you are not Indians, than the matter ends there" the outcome of the positive response from Mahatma Gandhi was the declaration of 14th August as the Naga Independence Day and celebrated. But, that was not the end of our problem, as the India republic did not honour the promise given to the Nagas by Mahatma Gandhi. Hence, NNC initiated the Naga Plebiscite and conducted the same on the 16th May 1951 that won 99.9% mandate from the Nagas.
Since the Indian Parliament did not honour the 16th may 1951 Naga plebiscite and declared war on Naga innocent public, the NNC had no other option than to form the Federal Government of Nagaland in 1956, to fight back on the strength of the Government repulsed the Indian invasion on Naga Hills in a befitting manner, that fought for ten years war with India, from 1954 to 1964. But, no solution could be found out of war with India, the outcome of that few years' war with India was the ceasefire that emerged and the peace talk was resumed with India. Effecting from 6th September 1964 to 1967, till the peace talk had ended in "Dead lock".
Again, war broke out with effect from the date of dead lock of peace talk in 1967, and that continued for 20 years, which lasted from 1967 to 6th July 1997, till the declaration of the cease fire for second time on the 7th July 1997. Again, Peace talk had resumed for the second time with the GOI and peace dialogue is now going on, between the GOI and the NSCN. Yet there is uncertainty atmosphere on the way to the Naga Political solution, which, every Naga must be aware and think it twice. At least, we should turn to God for our solution, which is the only way to our solution.
India is a democratic country of "No solution" with any issue followed "delaying-tactics" policy, on all issues. The reason of this " No-Solution" out of "delaying-tactics" is that, no political party in India can take the risk on "issue" for the national interest, as they are all for Political party interest to remain in power. In a country like USA, Party interest is next to national interest. As such in USA the party in power shall solve any solution at the cost of their party position, if it is the National interest of the Nation.
Now, let us come to the point of "delaying-tactics" and "no-solution" in a democracy like India there can never win the consensus opinion in the parliament, on any issues, except in the case of the national security like, when the situation is threatening the country's sovereign then only consensus shall arrive in the parliament and declare war, if necessary. in the case of the creation of many new states in India, after her independence, consensus opinion was not sought for the re demarcation of states borders nor new states were created without touching and inch of a state, out of which new states were created. Knowing all these past history very well, when the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid his maiden visit to Kohima, he said, "consensus opinion required to change the state borders," which was hailed by the Imphal valley people and some Politicians in Nagaland. This was seconded by the declaration of the national Congress I Party president Sonia Gandhi during her election campaign in Manipur state, as she said, "Not an inch of the state borders shall be altered," and the sentence bailed out the Congress I party in the Manipur state General Assembly election and for which her party is in power such a statement in the open air by the Indian leaders shall surely encourage the neighboring states people to raise against the integration issue and that shall prolong the solution indefinitely. Such are the delaying tactics languages uttered by the Indian leaders for their party interest, is what we can rightly located. Hence, if the Nagas feels that, the "Nagas integration is must,' than the solution to it is no other way that through God" and through God means we must stop killing among the Nagas as this is the commandment of God to the Nagas. In continuation to our Obedience to God we reconcile among ourselves and come together in unification. Thereby, our solution shall arise at any moment. The God of Israelites that rescued Israelites from the Egypt and the same God that dismantled the communist country USSR into 16 kingdoms can do any thing against India at any moment, thereby, Nagalim shall become one of its fractions, is what we must hope.
Let us come to the point of how we all should confess our sins to God. This "Naga sins" must be owned by all of us. No one of us can say "I have no sin". Since, the time when we gave our mandate to the Naga National Leaders and Naga National Workers in the form plebiscite in 1951 and in the form of resolution in2006, at Hebron. What ever good or bad committed by our national leaders and national workers in any factions and organizations for the causes of the Naga sovereignty every Naga have the share in it. Therefore, our confession of sins shall have to be in the manner of "Ninevites confession," during "Jonah's day," Let us not confess others sins, but our sins. As the others also have to confess their old sins if they are Nagas. If any of the tribes have more sins than the other, that tribe must have more contributions to the Naga cause. Lets us not disappoint our selves when other says we have more sins, but , lets us see at the other side of the coin, there we find we have more sacrifices and contributions to the nation than others.
Let all the Naga Leaders irrespective of Factions and organizations where the sackcloth, as the king of "Nineveh" and go on fast, for the solution followed by all the Nagas. This is possible after when the Naga reconciliation and the Naga unification is achieved. Now, choose either "God" or nor "No -Solution". Decision is ours. K u k n a l i m
I. Vitokhe Assumi, Naga Senior Citizen.

Nagaland plans all-faith talks - Church to tackle AIDS OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Aug. 31: Determined to eradicate AIDS from Nagaland, Naga Church leaders and NGOs are holding talks on a roadmap for an integrated approach to proper care of HIV/AIDS-affected people. Churches will also hold inter-faith dialogue to carry out a follow-up programme. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland is 1.63 per cent.
The Development Association of Nagaland of the Catholic Church and the Nagaland Development Organisation of the Baptist Church have decided to initiate dialogue with members of other faiths. According to them, AIDS claims more lives than any other disease in the world and a concerted effort is needed to save the people of Nagaland from the incurable disease.
The Church, being the dominant organisation in Nagaland, could play a major role in helping HIV-affected people live with dignity.
The chairman of the Joint Christian Forum, Rev. L. Bizo, said the Church had remained silent for long on issues like militancy and spread of HIV/AIDS that block the state’s development.
He called for more inter-church involvement to spread awareness.
Quoting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Fr James Poonthurithil said: “The best vaccine against HIV/AIDS is knowledge and awareness. Nearly 6,000 AIDS patients die everyday, of which 30 per cent are in the age group of 15 to 30.” Rev. Saji K. advocated the need for cooperation between the government, churches, NGOs, civil society, all Christian denominations and other faiths. Deputy state representative of Catholic Relief Services Guwahati, Rollan Lotha, said religious leaders should be provided training on anti-AIDS programmes.
It should highlight issues like poverty and gender bias and include people living with HIV/AIDS, he said.
Vincent Belho, a senior official of the Nagaland branch of Family Association of India, said many NGOs operate to get funds while most of the HIV/AIDS counselling and information centres remain defunct in districts other than Kohima.
He alleged lack of transparency and accountability in utilisation of funds sanctioned for anti-AIDS programmes and did not rule out embezzlement of funds.
The state government has set up a joint inquiry committee, headed by Congress MLA Takamasa Ao, to probe into alleged misuse of funds. The report will be tabled in the Assembly.
NPMHR on 28th August incident at Jalukie Zangdi and Manglumukh Villages


A team of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Mothers Association (NMA) made a spot investigation at the conflict that has arisen between Manglumukh Village and Jalukie Zangdi Village to ascertain the recent gutting of a score of houses on 28th August 2007. While witnessing the claims and counter claims of both parties involve, the team is of the opinion that a peaceful and humane approach should be applied to study and resolve the contention through dialogue and mutual cooperation.

NPMHR appeal to all concerned to refrain from issuing any communally charged statements or things that will further inflame the situation. Statements issued to the media often by arm-chair activists without proper investigation into the events tends to create more tension instead of applying balm to the conflict to resolve the critical issue.

When Nagas are in the midst of dialogues with the neighboring communities to restore traditional ties and to slowly resolve our traditional boundaries, it is expected of every conscious Naga from different communities to approach issues with sensitivity and avoid all unrealistic and emotional overtones. We appeal all to approach the issue without prejudice and through impartiality with a shared vision that all Nagas including other struggling communities can expect shared freedom and genuine justice through the establishment of mutual respect and understanding.

NPMHR considers that conflict of this nature, despite unwanted, has become inevitable in an age of globalization with the various interplay of vested forces to exploit resources and alienate land which traditionally belongs to the Nagas including the other ethnic minority communities of the state. In order to establish a just and humane society the concerned authorities should intervene to engage both the parties in conflict through proper processes without causing further destruction to properties or exacerbation of the tensions.

NPMHR is of the opinion that with the gradual opening of foreign actors into the traditional homeland for exploitation of resources, more conflict is likely to be generated over the share of resources, amongst communities and between state and community. It is therefore of urgent need to identify already existing mechanism or establish new mechanism to resolve conflict without which peaceful resolution of conflict and establishment of a humane society will be a far cry.

Atoho Kiho Convener, Nagaland NPMHR
Peace talks in Manipur Nagaland Post
IMPHAL, SEPT 1 (EPNS): Manipur government is all set to hold peace dialogues with Kuki and Zomi militant groups after getting final clearance to the draft ground rules for talks with unlawful organizations, official sources informed here today.
Sources indicated that militant groups maintaining suspension of operations with army and Assam Rifles were likely to sign the agreement with the state government.
Currently, the Assam Rifles is maintaining suspension of operation with Kuki militant groups including Kuki National Army and others working with them while the Army has some agreement with Kuki militant groups working under the United People Front like Zomi Revolutionary Army, Hmar People Convention and Kuki Liberation Front.
However, these agreements were not recognized by the Manipur government.
Manipur government had earlier drawn up a set of ground rules for peace talks with militants and submitted the draft to the Union Home ministry for clearance in the first week of August this year.
The Home Ministry returned the draft suggesting some changes, which were suitably amended and approved by the state cabinet Friday evening.
The state government is optimistic that the amended draft would be cleared very soon to pave a way for holding talks with these militant groups, said an official of the state home department on Saturday.
The ground rules prepared by the state administrative department made it clear that during the peace process, the militants should stay in designated camps.
While expenditure for running the camps would be borne by the government, those staying in the camps should not engage in any kind of extortion, kidnapping or create law and order problem.
Subsequent talks might either be at the official or ministerial level depending on the response of the the militant groups, sources added.
As per the ground rules, a joint monitoring cell would be opened with representatives from the militant group and the state government.
The Centre would also send an official of the MHA not below the rank of the joint secretary as member of the joint monitoring cell.
One dead in Guwahati blast, ULFA hand suspected By IBNlive.com
Guwahati (Assam): A bomb blast on Friday at the Bamunimoidam Railway Colony of Guwahati left one person dead and 12 injured.

The type of the explosive used was not immediately known and it could be either a programmable time device or an improvised explosive device (IED), police said. The police say the blast could be the handiwork of ULFA. The bomb was concealed in an auto-van by suspected ULFA militants and when it went off, three cooking gas cylinders in nearby roadside shops at Bamunimaidan also caught fire and exploded simultaneously. Many shops caught fire and glass windows shattered with the impact.

"One person died and 12 were injured in the explosion in the auto van which was reduced to smithereens at the Railway Colony Market at around 11.45 am," city senior Superintendent of Police Surinder Kumar was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

The area was cordoned off and the injured were immediately rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
India, China's silence over Burma protests not so mystifying Mungpi Mizzima News
September 1, 2007 - Ironically at a time when the international community, including the United Nations Chief Ban Ki-moon and US president George Bush have publicly condemned the Burmese military junta for its high handedness in dealing with demonstrations and called for the immediate release of the arrested, China and India, the two giant neighbours, have been conspicuous by their silence.
Several key activists and prominent former student leaders, including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, have been arrested in a crack down by the junta to quell the spreading demonstrations.
While some critics view India's silence to be part of its 'Look East' economic policy, other analysts said India is making a terrible mistake by keeping quiet because wooing the Burmese generals will not serve India's economic and national interest in the long run.
In 1988, when university student-led protests in Rangoon turned into a nationwide pro-democracy movement, India was the first to voice its concern and supported students and activists even to the extent of allowing some student activists to flee to India to escape the rampant crackdown by the junta.
However, in the early 1990s, with the launch of the "Look East policy' India did a 'U' turn in its policy towards Burma and embarked on the so-called 'constructive engagement' with the generals.
Dr. Sean Turnell, senior lecturer of the Economics Department of Australia's Macquarie University said India's silence over the ongoing protests in Burma is directly related to India's economic policy.
"I can only imagine it must be a part of the 'Look East' commercial policy," said Dr Turnell
However, he added that India's silence does not mean that it has lost hopes regarding Burma's democratic movement. "I think this is really about commercial hopes, and probably a policy of the bureaucracy rather than the politicians."
In contrast to Dr. Turnell's view, BBC's eastern India correspondent Subir Bhaumik said India is making a 'serious mistake' by distancing itself from the Burmese democratic movement.
"[Indo-Burmese relationship] is a one way traffic… the Burmese military junta has not obliged India with a single thing that it wants," Bhaumik said.
India's demand that the Burmese generals flush out Indian insurgents from Burmese soil has not been fulfilled and India's hopes to import gas from off-shore Arakan gas fields has come unstuck with the Burmese generals awarding China the right to buy gas, he added.
"India, for some very illustrious reason is living in its own make believe world and is abandoning its democratic ideals," Bhaumik added.
Bhaumik, who has closely followed Indo-Burma relations, said for the Burmese military junta to take India seriously, India needs to open up options of supporting the Burmese democratic movement.
"Otherwise the Burmese junta will take India for granted," Bhaumik said.
He condemned the Indian embassy in Rangoon for failing to send even a representative to the birthday celebration of Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on July 19, and said the Indian embassy in Rangoon should do more to support the current spate of protests in Burma. India, however, in supporting democratic changes in Burma needs to engage the generals and maintain an influence over them, said Brahma Chellaney, Professor of Strategic Studies at New Delhi based Centre for Policy Research.
"India is playing a very active role in telling Burma that it needs to have reconciliation with the democratic forces and therefore making a public statement decreases the leverage," Chellaney told Mizzima in an interview.
Chellaney said India's silence over the ongoing protests in Rangoon and parts of Burma does not mean its support for democratic changes in Burma has decreased.
"Sometimes, 'quiet diplomacy' is more effective then making statements for the sake of doing so… India believes it can play a better role by engaging in quiet diplomacy rather then public condemnation," he added. Chellaney reiterated that unlike China, India has always been a supporter of democratic forces in Burma and seeks to play a constructive role. Meanwhile, China, a veto wielding country which has influence on Burma, has also remained silent on the current wave of protests in Rangoon and other parts of Burma.
Analysts said China, which shielded the Burmese military junta along with Russia at the United Nations Security Council earlier this year, is undeterred with the ongoing protests in Burma and does not view it as a threat. The China based Burma Communist Party (BCP) spokesperson comrade Phoe Than Gyaung said, "China's silence over the current protest is because China does not see any threat."
"But, definitely it is monitoring the situation in Rangoon and Burma," he added.
The current spate of protests that began in August 19 was sparked by a sudden rise in fuel prices – a 100 percent rise in petrol and diesel prices and 500 percent increase in compressed natural gas which is used by buses - impacting the increase in bus fares and other essential commodities.
The increase in bus fares and commodity prices has severely affected the common people, who could no longer afford to travel by bus to their work places.
The sporadic protests, which are the largest in a decade, was cheered by hundreds of onlookers, but failed to attract them to join in to give it a semblance of the 1988 uprising.
The authorities allowed the 88 generation student leaders to begin the protest undisturbed on August 19, but later responded by arresting and detaining several key leaders using its puppet civilian organizations – Union Solidarity and Development Association and Swan Arrshin.
Analysts, however, said the current wave of protests, which is being staged sporadically, has failed to resemble the 1988 uprising, where thousands of students, monks and civilians took to the streets and hundreds of protesters were mercilessly gunned down by the military.
"China does not see the ongoing protests as a threat, but it wants a stable government to deal with… it is concerned about the stability of the regime and does not want conflicts along the Sino-Burmese border," Phoe Than Gyaung added.
A Sino-Burmese border based analyst U Mya Maung, said China is driven by economic considerations and wants a stable neighbour.
"We can see that China is stepping up measures to pressure the ceasefire [ethnic armed] groups because it wants stability along its border and wants to do business in Burma," said Mya Maung. However, Dr Turnell said, "They [China] would be worried, for they fear instability in Burma above all. They would also be uncomfortable with the emergence of democracy in Burma, lest such an outcome give its own citizens ideas."
"I see China's role as wholly negative, immoral and the biggest single obstacle to the emergence of a good outcome generally in Burma," he added.




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