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Letter to the editor

Spike in fuel prices sparks wide protest

By Times Wires
Published September 27, 2007

Here's some background on the prodemocracy demonstrations in Myanmar, the largest in the secretive nation in 19 years.

What type of government does Myanmar have?

The country is ruled by a military junta, which suppresses almost all dissent and wields absolute power. The generals and the army have been accused of human rights abuses. The opposition National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in 1990 in the first multi-party elections in 30 years, but has not been allowed to govern.

How did protests begin?

They began Aug. 19 after the government sharply raised fuel prices in what is one of Asia's poorest countries. Led by the prodemocracy opposition, the protest in Yangon, the capital, drew 400 people. The authorities moved swiftly, arresting dozens of activists. Nonetheless, protests continued around the country.

Why have Buddhist monks become the standard-bearers?

The monks have assumed a role they played in previous battles against British colonialism and military dictators. Monks command respect because 80 percent to 90 percent of Burmese are Buddhist, and even those who do not choose to become a "career monk" usually enter the orders for short periods, giving the monasteries a prominent role in society. Monks give religious guidance and perform important duties at weddings and funerals. Monasteries also provide a cheap way of gaining an education. There are 400,000 to 500,000 professional monks in the country, but only a small percentage are involved in the current protests.

What's next?

On Monday, the demonstrations in the capital, Yangon, drew 100,000 people, the largest since a prodemocracy uprising in August 1988. The government brutally repressed those '88 protests. Soldiers shot into crowds of peaceful demonstrators, killing several thousand and terrorizing the country. The government has been handling the monks gingerly. But the crackdown Wednesday may be an indication of a change in tactics.

What about developments in Myanmar is important to the United States?

Myanmar's importance to the West faded with the lessening of Cold War rivalries between the West and China but it remains important regionally. The country's growing relationships with China and India, and its large army are of particular interest to Myanmar's neighbors, as are its oil and gas reserves. China and Thailand remain its largest trading partners. As the West has withdrawn from relations with nations like Myanmar and North Korea, China has increased its influence in the region.

What has been the international reaction?

On Tuesday, President Bush announced sanctions against key members of the junta and those who provide them financial aid. The United States already restricts imports, exports and financial transactions and has imposed an arms embargo. But Myanmar's military junta has resisted Western economic sanctions and appeals from Southeast Asian neighbors and the United Nations for years. More important, it's believed China has privately urged its military rulers to ease the strife. For a country that has been Myanmar's staunchest diplomatic protector, largest trading partner and a leading investor, the shift is crucial.

Sources: BBC News, Times wires.

[Last modified September 27, 2007, 00:41:10]