Does the U.S. need to invade Myanmar to save it?
Mari asked me this morning if the U.S. needed to invade Myanmar in order to save it.
"The solution probably has something to do with oil," was my (cynical?) response. Your diarist is just a newbie Kossack with an internet connection. But a quick search on "Myanmar oil" found a reference that Myanmar (then Burma) exported its first barrel of oil back in 1853. The search also brought me to an article posted on ABC News Blotter titled and dated
Amid Deaths, Censorship, Oil Companies Continue Myanmar Operations
October 03, 2007 3:01 PM
Here is the full link:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/...
The article begins
Avni Patel Reports:
Despite a bloody government crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Myanmar, Chevron and other oil giants continue to operate in the country, paying billions in taxes and fees that support Myanmar's repressive regime.
Myanmarese dissident groups say the government has killed hundreds and detained thousands of monks and citizens in camps as part of its recent efforts to violently quash a pro-democracy movement that threatens their rule.
Oh my, perhaps there is a connection.
The oil companies, who have argued their business in Myanmar helps its citizens, have expressed concern over the crackdown -- and kept their operations going.
Why is that not surprising?
Chevron, Total and other oil companies have poured billions in Myanmar's booming natural gas industry in recent years. Natural gas projects generated $2.16 billion in revenue for Myanmar's military regime in 2006, according to Human Rights Watch. Human rights groups say the revenue from taxes and fees on the gas pipelines have become the largest source of cash for Myanmar's generals and have helped to prop them up.
"Whenever you have billions of dollars in revenue that flow directly to a government that does not express any interest in looking out for the benefit for its people, it certainly helps them stay in power," said Ganesan.
snip-
Other companies that have invested in Myanmar's natural gas industry include Nippon Oil of Japan, Thailand's state-controlled oil company PTTEP and Malaysia's state-owned oil company Petronas. Indian, South Korean and Chinese firms are also involved in natural gas exploration off Myanmar's shores, and are currently vying for multi-billion-dollar projects.
Representatives from Chevron will be appearing next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and before the House Judiciary Committee in Thursday with other oil companies ostensibly to discuss high prices of gasoline amidst an era of record oil company profits. Here’s one Kossack that would like somebody to ask some questions about the cozy relationship between oil companies and human rights issues in places like Myanmar.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/...
This is to shed some light on this issue and to welcome response, and comments.