Rupert raised a question by MCO

Gather round boys and girls; if I'm going to answer the question Rupert raised as to why the television no longer talks about the poor people of Myanmar, that have been killed by Cyclone Nargis…then I'm going to have to take you back in time…

For almost 100 years the great western imperialists 'Britain', controlled a beautiful Southeast Asian country known as Burma. In 1948 Burma became an independent nation, with an awkward looking Sao Shwe Thaik appointed as President; and an oddly named U Nu as its first prime minister. Yes Peter that was funny…you did know didn't you.

Where was I? Yes…for a little over a decade the Burmese people prospered under relative democracy. They were great times for the Burmese…no Michelle, not cats. Burma had stepped from the shadows of relative obscurity, onto the world stage. Their representative at the United Nations; U Thant, became the first non-westerner to take on the role of Secretary General…which for those of you who did not do your homework on the future direction of 'UN support programs for developing nations'; will be unaware that the Secretary General is the pre-eminent post within the International body.

In 1962 an angry general decided he wanted to run the country. So one pleasant afternoon, he rolled up to the offices of parliament with a bunch of tanks and some really nasty looking soldiers, and said “I'm an arrogant fuckhead; and I'm sick of this freedom of choice bullshit you're pushing out to the masses…” and led a military coup d'etat.

Sorry, what was that Alison? Just tell your mother it was a quote…yes you can swear when you are quoting someone. Now General Ne Win, or as the people of Burma called him; General Arrogant Fuckhead…again, yes Alison that was also a quote…now please be quiet and let me continue. Ne Win ruled for almost 26 years; passing off what was to become known as the Burmese way to Socialism. There were many uprisings over that period of time; most were by university students...but all not only failedbut resulted in the torture or deaths of almost all that participated. Throughout, there was little if any international coverage of any of the atrocities.

Okay, William I'll move along as I can see you are getting a little bored. In 1988 unrest resulted in mass protests that led to the deaths of more than 3000 civilian demonstrators. The protests became known as the '8888 Uprising'. Rupert, no I don't know why they added two extra eights; but maybe you can research that question and let us know in show and tell tomorrow. Regardless of why they called it that; it led to another coup d'etat, this time with General Saw Maung as the leader. In 1989 Burma became Myanmar; and the countries first free elections in almost 30 years were held the six months later.

Those elections were won by the daughter of an independence hero assassinated in 1947; her name was Aung San Suu Kyi…Kyi is pronounced as 'chi', Felicity…'chi'. Even though Aung San was democratically elected by the majority of the Burmese people; the military were kind of enjoying the power they had, and wanted to keep it…so they placed her under house arrest. She has spent 12 of the last 18 years of her life stuck in her own home. Imagine that Marshal; no trips to the 7/11 to buy lollies. International media have sporadically covered her virtual imprisonment, but never with enough endurance to focus global attention.

In 1992 Than Shwe became the leader of the military junta and has held power to this day. In his 16 years he has renamed and subsequently moved the capital of Burma from Yangon; the old Rangoon, to a site 200 miles inland; naming it Naypyidaw…mainly because that's where each of the junta generals have palatial mansions; it's easier to get to work. He culled several pro-democracy demonstrations; the largest only a year ago…killing many monks. Yes Dora, killing monks is bad karma; let's hope the junta come back as crackhead prison bitches at a maximum security jail for inmates with exceptionally large central legs. Dora, get your mum to explain it; I haven't got the time.

That brings us to why, regardless of the largest natural disaster in the region since the tsunami that hit a few years back, Burma will retain its status as a military state. Cyclone Nargis may have claimed an estimated 300'000 lives throughout the Southern Irrawaddy Delta region; but international camera's turned their attention to other disasters and newsworthy features within three weeks. Unless those cameras stay focussed on Burma, little will change; Aung San will stay under house arrest, protests will continue to be culled with brutal authority, and the junta will continue to add extensions onto their already massive mansions.

Okay kids, it's time for playlunch…MCO