Implications of President Obama’s Asian visit to Buddhist Burma
Posted on November 17th, 2012
Shenali WadugeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
When the US declares a country is of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-national interestƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ it should not be hard to guess the reasons why more so when President Obama himself is to arrive in Burma to start an obvious ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-US enters AsiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ drive on 19 November 2012. The US wishlist is also clear ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” it wants Burma to be ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-friendsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ with India implying to distance from China, US wants Burma to close ties with North Korea, it wants greater autonomy for the Rohingyas at the behest of Saudi Arabia which given the militancy attached to the Rohingyas spells clear dangers of what Burma is likely to face no sooner it shakes hands with the US.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There is so much more to lifting sanctions as Burmese find themselves analyzing the situation far more than Burmese leaders and receiving CongressƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s highest award, Aung San Suu Kyi must know the examples of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-democracyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ that has prevailed in other parts of the world to be cautious of exactly what Burma promises the US when entire Asia realizes that the US has shifted its focus from the Middle East towards Asia in an effort to encircle China. Are we to be witness to a clash of civilizations!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The colonial mission was to Christianize Africa and Asia through missionaries, education and media. We know the extent of that success. From the situations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East and Sub-Saharan/Africa it is clear that the US and allies are arming Islamic militant groups in order to reign down on these nations using the UN doctrine of humanitarian intervention and the significance to countries of Asia with Buddhist populations spells dangers for the future of Buddhists and Buddhism. Where the showdown is likely to be between Evangelized Asia and Islamic militants ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” for Buddhist this spells dangers for their compassionate philosophy and the future of the Buddhist people in Asia.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Europe is on its way to being Islamized. The fertility rate in the 31 nations of the EU is just 1.38. However as a result of immigration ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” by 2051 France will be an Islamic republic, by 2030 half of the population in The Netherlands will be Muslim, by 2050 Germany will be a Muslim state. The 52m Muslims in Europe will become 104Muslims in just 20 years.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ US has been molly coddling India to sign various military pacts and training programs, US has increased its military presence in Asia, it has struck various military deals with Australia ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” it is all but gearing for an eventual showdown with China and it is nothing that China is not aware of.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But spectator nations in Asia need to realize the importance of their geopolitical location and must also be concerned about the effects of such a confrontation that may eventually affect their citizens and possibly the future of their nations as well.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Myanmar/Burma is a Buddhist country with a population of 60m people. Myanmar borders 5 countries – China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. The Rakhine (Arakan) area is 36,762 square kilometres with a population of 2,045,891 and 40% of it is inhabited by the Rohingyas. Burma was formerly an entirely Buddhist nation following unadulterated Theravada Buddhism but today Buddhists make up 89%, Christians 4%, Muslims 4% and 3% (Hinduism and Bahai faith). ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rohingyas
There is no historical evidence to show how or when the Rohingyas arrived in the Rakhine (Arakan) area of Burma but we know they arrived from neighboring Bengal (which included Bangladesh) as the Arakan areas were fertile. If the Rohingyas originated from Bangladesh ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” they must return to Bangladesh and not attempt to carve out a state in Burma.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The 1891 census reported Rohingyas in the Arakan area as less than 60,000 but the population had climbed to close to 180,000 by 1911. As of 2012, there are said to 800,000 Rohingyas in Myanmar. The projection of Rohingyas as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-innocent victimsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ gets damped by the formation of the Mujahid Party that supported jihad extremism and further intensifies the need to look at the nature of the objective of these Rohingyas to create a separate Muslim state in the Arakan area. Not much prominence is given to this factor nor is there query as to why Bangladesh consistently opposes providing shelter to Rohingyas if they were as innocent as being internationally projected and we know how international NGOs have been susceptible to funds that make them dilute their credibility by the false statements they issue! ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Burma has been accused of committing human rights abuses by denying citizenship to Rohingyas but little is said of the Rohingyas attempting to carve out a separate state in the Arakan area while the rest of the small numbers of Muslims that live in other areas of Burma live peacefully with the rest of the Buddhists in Myanmar! Moreover the Rohingyas have formed militant movements ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the Arakan Rohingya National Organization, the Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front all setting out to carve out a state in the Rakhine area of Burma. No one is willing to dispel the accusations that the Rohingyas are terrorists being trained and instructed to carry out mayhem in Myanmar in order for the UN to create another Kovoso ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” this is obviously the plan of US for Asia!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was in 1973 that Bangladesh used the Rohingyas to set up a Rohingya state with a proxy Government in MyanmasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Rakhine area. Can the CIA deny that it trained the Rohingyas in the 1980s and 1990s nor can Al Qaeda deny links with the Rohingyas which means plenty of monetary support from Saudi Arabia all in cooperation with the CIA which the UN is well aware of.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When Burma arrested 2 employees of UNHCR and WFP in July 2012 and sentenced them in August 2012 for their complicity in manufacturing the violence between Rohingyas and Burma Buddhists there were no UN panels or investigations launched. It is an open secret that the UNHCR and the WFP are working on behalf of foreign intelligence in Myanmar. The UN is well aware of the Rohingyas being trained as mercenaries ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the question is what is it doing about it?
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If a superpower such as the United States of America is showing surprised focus on Burma by arranging President ObamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s first visit to a Buddhist nation and the focus is on the Rohingyas and the Rakhine state it is because this region in the Greater Mekong area is home to natural resources (oil an gas ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” with 2 projects on the pipeline which reduces BangladeshƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s access to both) and is the perfect means of encircling China! Rohingyas and Buddhist Burmese are simply pawns in a game played by superpowers assisted by the UN.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rohingya groups are in many countries like Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UAE, Palestine, Australia and Norway!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Rohingyas finds their roots in Bangladesh a country carved out by India in 1971 though not being a party to the UN Convention of the Refugees, Bangladesh is not obligated to accept Rohingyas though 300,000 of them continue to live amongst 160m BangladeshiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s. Modern Bangladesh though predominately Muslim there are enough of ancient inscriptions to prove Buddhism existed in Bangladesh with many monasteries and over 6000 Buddhist monks coupled with the archaeological excavations to show that Buddhism prevailed in Bangladesh far before it was turned into an Islamic state. Presently there are over 1m Buddhists in Bangladesh with Dhaka having 4 Buddhist temples but the obvious destruction and targeting of Buddhists was made clear when 25,000 Muslims gathered to destroy thousands of year old Buddhist artifacts, Buddhist homes, rare sculptures and monasteries and one wonders whether intelligence outfits are at play to create foul play.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is in examining US inroads into Asia that we cannot escape the role of India of being Asian or pro-US in policy and action. India was a vast stretch of territory that was consolidated and Christened as British India and encompassed Southern Nepal, Assam, State of West Bengal and Eastern Pakistan. Assam too is on its way to becoming a Muslim majority state which spells the need for India to be concentrating on protecting its own borders that are being targeted from all corners in another strategy to balkanize India using the very same divide and rule policy used by the colonialists.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The situation that is taking place is Burma has not had the support of the Buddhist world as Burma deserves and Sri Lanka too is to be faulted for not taking the lead Mrs. Bandaranaike took to ensure Sri Lanka remained a strong Buddhist nation. Buddhism should never be afforded a ceremonial status as is happening even in Sri Lanka to appease voters and donors. It is evident that nations are being infiltrated by Islamic militants sponsored by intelligence agencies to create turmoil and eventually promote Balkanizing of these nations using religion. The versions are being misconstrued and manipulated by media who today are entities paid to tell versions of their sponsors making Buddhist nationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s victims of the media including Sri Lanka.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We must note that Burma is fighting to protect its Buddhist identity and other nations like Sri Lanka may soon face the same fate. Therefore the onus is on the rest of the Buddhist world to come together to protect Buddhism and not allow it to be destroyed any further. Asia equates to mean the power of Buddhism and that is where Sri Lanka must take the lead and that is how Sri Lanka and Asia can remain united.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s diplomacy must be proactive using the soft tools it has before it yet how far diplomacy is usedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ effectivelyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to carve out Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s role in the Indian Ocean by the very person who sang hosannas for the 2002 ceasefire agreement remains a big question mark and answers many questions as to why Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s foreign diplomacy remains in lethargy.
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November 17th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
“We must note that Burma is fighting to protect its Buddhist identity and other nations like Sri Lanka may soon face the same fate.”
I have been saying this for a LONG TIME.
Thailand is another case. Please shed some light on how Islamic terrorists try to convert it to an Islamic republic by killing Buddhists.
In November 2012 alone until yesterday, they have killed 8 Buddhists and wounded 28 in Yala, Pattini and Naradawat.
(thereligionofpeace)
“Therefore the onus is on the rest of the Buddhist world to come together to protect Buddhism and not allow it to be destroyed any further. Asia equates to mean the power of Buddhism and that is where Sri Lanka must take the lead and that is how Sri Lanka and Asia can remain united.”
Fully agree.
November 17th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Portuguese, Dutch, English, US and French invaders could NOT convert Buddhist countries into any thing else.
e.g. SL, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, etc.
ONLY Saudi invaders could do that!!!
e.g. Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Indonesia, Afghanistan
November 17th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Buddhist Temples and other structures should be protected through the armed forces & police, whichever country. Predominantly Buddhist countries should also make sure that there are multi-ethnic communities all over their countries, if their countries are already multi-ethnic, and not allow large tracts of land to be mono ethnic minorities.
As for protecting the principles of Buddhism, and reaping the results of peace & happiness, that is up to the people who are Buddhists. Buddhism can be preserved only through practice of the Teachings of the Buddha, at least the Core Teachings.
Buddhist countries ought to make more effort toward promoting Entrepreneurship & Inventiveness, using local materials and labor wherever possible.
November 18th, 2012 at 5:39 am
I think but Iam not sure.
Rohigiyas are originally from Bengal like the Hindu Tamils in Sri Lanka who came under the cover of British guns.
Did you know at one time under the British Indians owned three quarters of the cultivated land in Burma. Remember the “Milchard hall’ that is rice milled in mills with a Brtish Charter was imported to Sri lanka to feed the people in Ceylon at dumping prices that destroyed Ceylonese rice farmers. Burmese rice was sent to all British colonies to feed the Indian colonial parasites.
SWRD got killed when he at the refused accept Budhdharakkitas tender for shipping rice from Burma. SWRD was directed by Third Eye and Colombo Indian (include Tamils) merchants to refuse Budhdhrakkitas tender.
India wants to get Burmas riches back as they did under the British and US may get some crumbs like a base for attacking China.
November 18th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
“The president (Obama) lavished praise on his host country, saying Thailand’s 180-year relationship with the United States makes it “our oldest ally” in Asia.
“I always believe in prayer,” Obama said during his news conference, after a reporter mentioned the joke during a question. “If a Buddhist monk is wishing me well, I’m going to take whatever good vibes he can give me to try to deal with some challenges back home. I’m confident that we can get our fiscal situation dealt with.””
– washingtonpost
November 18th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Christie,
I think USA is trying to BYPASS India.
Burma is also rewarded by USA for getting rid of Al Qaeda elements, violently which USA loves.
China is the happiest country when USA recognizes its friend – Burma and its Chinese appointed rulers.
USA is trying hard to come back to Asia WITHOUT dirty Indian support. That way they are scrw up India as well which is good for everyone.
November 18th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Caaling for Buddhists to be agressive in wrong and brings no benifit to Buddhists.
November 19th, 2012 at 5:08 am
Third Eye and filthy rich Indians (include so called tamils from sri Lanka) provide massive funds to political parties in the Western countries.
Their main aim is to milead the West so as to preserve and continue the Indian Empire.
For example the US State Department has lbelled the Mau Mau movement as a terrorist group.
Indians control the economy of Kenya.
President Obamas father comes from Kenya.
November 19th, 2012 at 6:11 am
Here is a write up (summary) from the internet on the Rohingayas. They are a group of Sunni Muslim people who have roots in Sufi practices. Sufism is the mystical order of Islam. Rohingayas appear to be a generally peaceful people, but they appear to have been maligned wherever they went ….
Backgrounder: the Rohingya of Myanmar
Zak Rose – Sep 19, 12
The Rohingya practice a unique form of Sunni Islam with elements of Sufi mysticism. Their style of worship is fairly rigid, with men attending religious houses to pray while women pray at home. Those who seek education typically pursue religious studies in their communities, though this is mostly due to the limited opportunities afforded to them elsewhere. They also have their own language and alphabet. Most Burmese Rohingya are farmers, and their labour accounts for a considerable amount of the agricultural output of Rakhine.
Modern History
Rohingya interactions with foreign and local governments have historically been violent. During World War II, the Japanese invaded Myanmar, seizing the country and chasing off British forces. In the ensuing chaos, the Rohingya were brutally targeted by both the Japanese forces and by other Burmese and Rakhine-native ethnic groups, causing a significant number to flee. Following the war, there was a fairly strong movement in Rakhine for Rohingya sovereignty until it was suppressed by a campaign carried out by the military government of the 1960s and 1970s.
The Myanmar government then continued to oppress the Rohingya as part of a wider divide-and-rule strategy that kept ethnic minorities ostracized and excluded from mainstream politics. To an extent, this practice continues today. The Rohingya, with their claimed Arabic heritage, distinct language, and Islamic faith were obvious targets for the government to seize on and incite zealous nationalism, all in order to distract from its own autocratic policies. In the 1980s, the government passed legislation classifying the Rohingya as a stateless people, legally denying them recognition as citizens of Myanmar.
Recently, there has been an increase of ethnic conflict in Rakhine, and it is being called the “2012 Rakhine State Riots.” The conflict is between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and the Rakhine Rohingya. It began in early June 2012, when Rakhine Buddhists killed several Rohingya in apparent retaliation for the rape and murder of a Rakhine Buddhist woman. Though reports are unreliable, at least hundreds of Rohingya have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced. The Myanmar government has enacted emergency measures and allowed the military to temporarily govern the region in an attempt to restore order, but they too have been accused of perpetrating violence against the Rohingya. Amidst this conflict, the government has announced its intention to expel the Rohingya from Rakhine and from the country as a whole.
Current Politics
The 2012 riots and recent UN investigations which dubbed the Rohingya one of the most oppressed people on earth have drawn international media attention towards this hitherto obscure ethnic conflict. Though the Burmese government was mostly successful in eliminating the Rohingya sovereignty movement of the 1970s, some militants are still active in Rakhine. Moreover, international advocacy groups and associations that represent the political and human rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar maintain a commitment to pursue at least some form of Muslim autonomy in the Burmese state.
These factors, combined with explicit government declarations on the removal of the Rohingya from Myanmar and its disavowal of responsibility for them as citizens could very well lead to a revival of the sovereignty movement. Given their exclusion from Burmese society, it is unlikely that the state possesses sufficient instruments to locate and forcibly expel the Rohingya. It remains to be seen if the government’s desire to have the Rohingya gone- reinforced by pressure from the Buddhist population- is strong enough that leaders would permit separation of the Rohingya areas of Rakhine or some form of semi-autonomous self-governance.
The plight of the Rohingya may also have regional repercussions. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its fledgling Human Rights Council might find itself having to take an interest in the situation if media attention continues to illuminate the violence. Should ASEAN leaders fail to do so, it could be diminish the credibility of their already-dubious record on human security, creating a good deal of political embarrassment in the process.
Time-line of the Rakhine Rohingya
700-800: earliest Muslim settlements in present-day Rakhine and the surrounding area
1890s: Burma is a colony of the British Empire. British colonial government began to encourage Arab, Indian, and Bengali immigration to present-day Rakhine to increase agricultural output.
1942: The Japanese conquer Burma, British rulers are forced to retreat.
1942-1945: Systematic violence is carried out against the Rohingya, by ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and by Japanese occupiers. Tens of thousands of Rohingya flee to neighbouring countries as refugees.
1962: The Burmese government begins a campaign of violence against Rohingya militants fighting for self-determination.
1978: The Burmese government, labelling the Rohingya as illegal settlers from Bangladesh, conduct “Operation King Dragon” to expel them. International pressure eventually forces Burmese leaders to halt the operation.
1982: Rohingya are officially classified as non-citizens of Burma by a new piece of legislation.
1991: “Operation King Dragon” begins anew. Due to disapproval of the authoritarian State Law and Order Council (SLORC), international pressure comes more swiftly, and the Burmese leadership quickly halts the operation again.
2012: Rohingya in Rakhine rape and murder an ethnic Rakhine Buddhist woman. In retaliation, Rakhine Buddhists kill ten Rohingyas. The 2012 Rakhine State Riots begin. Burmese leaders enact emergency military measures in Rakhine. Thousands of Rohingyas disappear, are killed, or flee the country. Buddhist monks, with long-standing ties to the military, hold anti-Rohingya demonstrations. In response, the government announces its intention to expel the Rohingya from the country.
November 19th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
please add “Thevoiceoftruth” form your facebook profile to get update on buddhist news and activities.
November 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Violence from both sides must stop.
Rohingyas fighting for SELF (DE)TERMINATION is not doing any good.
UNFORTUNATELY this is what guides religious Rohingya.
“Allah is an enemy to unbelievers. – Sura 2:98
On unbelievers is the curse of Allah. – Sura 2:161
Slay them wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. – 2:191
Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it. – 2:216”
Do they have choice?
Obama balances the 2 groups.
““For too long, the people of this state, including ethnic Rakhine, have faced crushing poverty and persecution. But there’s no excuse for violence against innocent people,” Obama said.
“The Rohingya … hold within themselves the same dignity as you do, and I do. National reconciliation will take time, but for the sake of our common humanity, and for the sake of this country’s future, it’s necessary to stop incitement and to stop violence.””
– tehrantimes