What is Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence as a means of coercion. The destruction of lives and property is not the primary objective of terrorists, such is but a means to an end; the primary objective is to create an atmosphere of fear and shock that will eventually undermine authority, hence, gain audience where the main cause will be made known to all. The media plays a pivotal role in the art of terrorism—without the media, the primary objective of terrorists will not be actualized. Terrorism is a demon that reduces men to zombies— he is a dark spirit— when he possesses a being he doesn’t loose his grip until he extinguishes the lamp of his host and that of the innocent with its poisonous extremism.

History

It was during the French Revolution of 1789-1799 that the word terrorism was first used; it was used to describe the newly adopted system of government—the regime de la terreur, which means Reign of Terror. The impetus behind its use was to purify the state by ridding her of the revolution’s enemies and to encourage democracy. However, violence and oppression of even the innocent made terreur (terrorism) a feared instrument of the state. From then on, the word terrorism became a hair-raiser as it connotes death and destruction.

Adopted by a group of Russian revolutionaries in the late 19th century, the word terrorism would gain wider popularity. It would be used to describe the group’s violent struggle against Tsarist rule; hence, it would assume its familiar antigovernment associations known to all today.

Today, to say that terrorism is a thorn in the flesh of both the government and the governed of all nations of the world would be an understatement—terrorism is rottenness is the bone of human existence!

Causes 

Everyone, every people that accepts the cold embrace of terrorism have an excuse for doing so—there is always an excuse for every wrong , even those that involves the killing of innocent women and children. Man will always have an excuse for every sin he commits and hence, even try to justify his actions. Some terrorist will tell the world that they kill (even the innocent) because their race or religion is under threat. There is always an excuse for robbing families of their peace…plunge a nation deep into the bowels of anguish and sorrow; man will always have an excuse to do even the unthinkable. Other reasons can be political, psychological, economical and historical—or a combination of any of these.

Preys of Terrorism

Who is a terrorist? He is one who terrorizes the weak—his preys are often the innocent poor of the society. Fear is the ultimate weapon of terrorists, this they use with the intention of changing human behavior and institutions, or to alter public policies.

Terrorism is systematic, premeditated and well calculated. The targets of terrorist are often the innocent poor of the society—people who have no connection with the terrorists—men, women and little children; men who scratch the soil each day to feed their families, woman who sweat under the scotching sun just to put a hot plate on the table before their children, innocent little ones with aspirations and dreams bigger than their school bus—these ones would be brutally murdered just to gain the attention of the authority. For the fact that the innocent poor of the society could be brutally slain in such a staggering proportion is what causes terror to the living—this is indicative of the level of insecurity (especially) for the common majority of our society—anybody can be a victim of terrorist attack!

March 17, 1992, Buenos Aires, Argentina, a car bomb destroyed the Israeli Embassy killing 29 people and injured 242 people.  August 26, 1992, a bomb exploded at Algerian International airport in Algiers claiming 12 lives and injured about 123 people.

It takes more than the spirit of man to robe oneself in dynamites and stroll down to a place where the majority are the innocent poor of the society; a place where the majority are those who scratch the soil each day for their daily bread; this terrorist would stroll into a place like this and innocent children—even toddlers are ripped open by merciless dynamites—women and honest men are sent to their early graves.

It is true what they say: “The hatred in a man will one day consume him.” Small wonder these ones would kill even themselves to kill even the innocent.

A suicide bomber blew up a bus on February 25, 1996. Religious extremist are believed to be responsible. Dearth toll: 26. Injured:  80 people. June 25, 1996, a fuel truck carrying a bomb exploded outside a U.S military base housing facility killing 19 people and injured 515.

On February 26, 1993, a group of religious extremist exploded a massive bomb bellow the world trade Centre killing 6 people and injured about 1,000 people. March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinkiko carried six packages aboard Tokyo subway trains—deadly sarin gas was released –12 people lost their lives and 5,000 people were injured

A mother told her crying child “wipe your tears, I will be back soon.” She kissed her child on the cheek and off she went to the bus stop to board a bus to the market so she could cook dinner for her family. Little did she know that she would break her promise to her child—he would wait endlessly for her return because the bus she boarded (a bus that conveys everyday people to their different places of business) in it was planted a greedy bomb– twenty lives were devoured that day including three school children and a toddler, adding another lurid tale to the anthology of human history!

January 31, 1996, Ethnic terrorists groups ram a truck laden with explosives into a bank in Colombo, Sri, Lanka killing 90 and injured over 1,400 people.

September 11, 2001, members of the al-quada network crashed two passenger plans into the world trade centre. All the victims were innocent—people who had nothing whatsoever to do with the terrorist’s avowed cause.

Do you know that as you read this article, somewhere in this world a child has been selected by a terrorist group and presently undergoing orientation to prepare him spiritually, psychologically and emotionally towards the destruction of innocent lives and property? This child will think nothing of the idea of clothing himself with dynamites and walk into a place bubbling with activities—a place of the innocent poor of the society.

A woman is been being terrorized by her spouse or vis-à-vis, and the lot of an innocent child or children is muffled wince.

Terrorism in Uniform

It is indeed disheartening to know that some law enforcement agents are terrorists—Police Officers who abuse the uniform they wear; though they would not admit to this as they were employed by the government and trained to maintain peace and order, however, their true nature would betray them. This I choose to call “Terrorism in Uniform” 

They would mount illegal checkpoints and extort money from public transporters and even private car owners—this rapacious specie of men. They would level all sort of false and unfounded allegations on the innocent all for the sake of making extra money. All terrorist groups have their excuse for being the subhuman that they are. For this rapacious specie of men their excuse is, the government is nonchalant in regards to the welfare of those whom they employed to maintain peace and order in the society. Hence, these terrorists in uniform would unleash terror in the society which they swore by oath to protect. These terrorists in uniform would go about brandishing their weapons of destruction in public places—often times the breath of an innocent pedestrian they would seize, and when questioned, they would blame it on accidental discharge. Majestically they would leave the scene of crime with their hands dripping of innocent blood, leaving behind pain, tears and deep sorrow—the bereaved terror-stricken and hollow.

These terrorists in uniform would make illegal arrests and detentions.  A suspect would be detained for up to SEVEN YEARS without trial when the law dictates that no one should be detained in their custody for more than twenty four hours without trial. Money and material gains  compose the matter of interest for these terrorists, the wellbeing of the citizens whom they swore by oath to protect is trivial; that is why this category of terrorist would gun down the innocent for a mare twenty naira note if refused to be given to them at their “check points”. They call themselves our “friend”, yet fear they sow in our land as they terrorize both the innocent and guilty.  On January 7, 2011, there was a publication in the Punch Newspaper with the headline: “Police Trains 2,000 Men on Anti-Terrorism Techniques”  The bible makes me to understand that demons can never cast out demons, therefore, these boys in black cannot combat terrorism and succeed until they themselves are delivered from the spirit of terrorism.

It is indeed very sad to know that these terrorists are leaving behind prints of their bloody paws on the sand for tomorrow’s leaders to follow—our lives are a mirror at which children look to shape theirs.

In one of our local primary schools here in Lagos, Nigeria, some children where asked by a visitor what they would like to be when they grow up. Some kids said this, some said that; but there was a boy who said “I would like to be a Police Officer!” and when asked why, “because I will carry a big gun and people will be afraid of me! And also, I will make lots of money at the bus stops!” came his artless reply. This is indeed very sad for the future of a nation

In 1976 the South African government mandated the use of the Afrikaans language in schools, a language considered by blacks as, the language of the white-ruled nation’s dominant Boers, a symbol of white oppression. This sparked student protests, and were violently countered by police—23 persons were killed and 220 were injured.

“Domestic Terrorism”

Domestic violence, this is violence between intimate partners: man and wife, violent act caused by member(s) of a given family against member(s) of same family. This is another form of terrorism as violence is used as a means of coercion hence; the victim(s) lives in fear of their oppressor.

If bathing ones spouse or partner with acid for whatever reason is not an act of terrorism, then, nothing else under heaven is; but if it is, then the offender is a terrorist.  Domestic terrorism may not be politically motivated, but the victims feel same pain and a deep sense of loss like those who suffer in the hands of those terrorist whose course are either inspired by religion, politics or ethnic differences.

The case where the father of the house makes a punching bag of his wife at daytime and a sex slave at night time—he fills the days of his spouse with terror; even his children lives in fear of him—they find no peace. It is often said that home is not a house but a feeling” this is true, when the warmth of home is replaced by the chilling cold of terror and sorrow; such is no longer home but a hell hole. Further, children of such families are terror-stricken hence, have low self esteem and self worth.

Victims suffer both physical and psychological injuries. Physical injuries can range from bruises, cuts, fractures and burns to broken bones, stab wounds, miscarriages (in women), and death. Also, victims experience depression and other psychological distress, and they are more likely than other people to contemplate or attempt suicide. Children who witness/experience domestic terrorism may experience depression and psychological distress, moreover, they are more likely than other children to be physically violent—terrorize others—including their own children if they eventually get married and their marriage is consummated.

It is shameful to know that in some parts of Asia and Africa, wife abusers have the backings of customs and tradition, and even that of religion. A religion, customs and tradition that relegate women to the background, stripping them nude of fundamental human rights are fuel for domestic terrorism. We should call for the abrogation of such customs that subjects women to emotional and physical torture—laws that wreaked terror on the feminine gender. These customs make mutes out of women—they have no say in matters that borders even on their own existence—their voices are caged like fowls, and if they try to flutter and fly, they are slaughtered.

Terrorism is an act of hatred, and hatred is a predator by instinct, sooner or later it will turn against its host: the hater will one day destroy himself.

Terrorists are predicators who pre on the peace of a people. They are armed robbers who would rob even a child of her dreams and ambitions. Terrorism is a constrictor—he would coil his cold self around a nation at peace crushing bones of stability, and swallows her whole—all are plunged deep into the slimy murky sea of sorrow and despair of his bowels

Campus Terrorism

Further, secrete cults have turned our institutions of higher learning into battlefields and places of torment, terror and death. Students have long lost their freedom of movement and speech, because all who speak out against a cultist or group may never leave to see the light of day. A lot of students have lost their lives just by trying to rid their school of cultism. It is indeed very sad to know that some student are forced or tricked into being members of secrete cults—if they refuse to be initiated, they are killed. Girls are forced into having a relationship with cultists—some are rapped. If a girl is approached and she refuses them, her life on campus would be made a living hell. Our institutions of higher learning have become places of death and terror; and the terrorists are members of secrete cults; if apprehended, they should be treated like the terrorist that they are.

Armed Robbers

Armed robbers are notorious for their acts of greed, violence and sheer wickedness. These terrorist would subjugate homes, workplaces and even worship grounds demanding money and materials things—sometimes, even when their victims comply, because they have an insatiable appetite for violence, these terrorists would rob their victims of their lives.

These terrorists are known for their acts of extreme wickedness—they would rape mothers and daughters before the frightened eyes of fathers and sons.

In their attempt to reap where they did not sow, these terrorist would hold people hostage in their homes or workplaces making their lives a living hell. And if apprehended and asked why they took to armed robbery, one could easily guess the answer, because; most of them would conveniently blame it on poverty.

Government by Terrorists

Any government that is not of the people by the people and for the people is a government of dictators hence, a terrorist government. Such is what I call “Junta-terrorism” Fundamental human right is incapacitated and incarcerated—all are expected to do as the Junta pleases—long jail term, torment and death awaits the intrepid. The majority are terror-stricken when news of mysterious disappearances and deaths escape into town.

Rtd General Ibrahin Babngida, a one time president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of such terrorists. The day was Sunday October 19, 1986, and the place was 25 Talabi Street, Ikeja. Sumonu Oladele Giwa, styled named Dele Giwa, was having a late breakfast with a colleague, Kayode Soyinka when a post man brought a parcel addressed to him. The parcel was delivered to Dele Giwa’s first son Billy who was then 19 years old. Billy handed the parcel to his father; after Dele Giwa looked the parcel over he said:  “this must be from the President.” because it bore the seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; little did he know that the parcel concealed a ticket to the great beyond—alas, it was a letter bomb, and when he attempted to open the parcel, the whole world exploded in his face! He was rushed to the hospital where he gave up the ghost not before he said “The have got me.” At the time of his death, Dele Giwa was the Editor of Newswatch Magazine. His death sent a shockwave throughout the country—some press men had to flee the country for dear lives, those who could not afford to leave the country, terror-stricken, they adopted the life of a mole rat afraid to show their faces in the light of day. Under the ruler-ship of the Tyrant, the people had no voice—speaking your mind or demanding justice meant serving jail terms if lucky—if not, untimely death.

Further, it was still this same tyrant that annulled the 1993 general elections that would have ushered the late Chief Mushood Abiola into Aso Rock as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—unfortunately, Chief Abiola who had an auspicious start had a tragic end. The annulment caused a cascade of Armageddon—the arrest and incarceration of Chief Abiola, the murder of Kudirat Abiola, and the eventual murder of Chief Abiola in captivity. Further, the annulment would pave the way for another Tyrant who would seize power from the interim government sworn in by General Ibrahim Babamgida. This tyrant (terrorist) would be the one to hunt and brutally murder Kudirat Abiola with the aid of his well trained and well paid assassins namely: Major Al-Mustafa, Sergeant Rogers and others. This same terrorist would attempt the assassination of prominent citizens of this Nation—this terrorist is no other than the late General Sani Abasha.

 Odi, a peaceful settlement in Bayelsa state, Nigeria, was subjugated by heavily armed soldiers who pumped bullets into homes and everything that moved—Odi was massacred. This barbaric and devilish act was ordered by no other than the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Olusegun Obasonjo. Terror-stricken survivors fled their homes—up till date, their lives are in flakes. Olusegun Obasonjo the Ex President of the Federal republic of Nigeria is a terrorist for attempting to annihilate the people of Odi.

A  President that desires to rule forever, hence, uses violence and tricks to remain in power is a terrorist— a government like that of Maummar al-Qaddafi of Libya is a terrorist government. Another example is the one headed by Hosni Mubarack of Egypt. There are many more of such governments scattered around the world especially in Africa.

The violation of human right is an act of terrorism—a country where one is arrested for speaking his mind—brutalized by the police for needing positive change, such is country ruled by terrorists. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is a terrorist. Charles Taylor, a one time president and warlord of Liberia who forced children into taking arms and fight for what they know nothing about is a terrorist. The Revolutionary United Front (R.U.F) was led by terrorists. Every warlord of this great continent called Africa who so abused children—who chopped off the hands and legs of innocent civilians are all terrorists. Ne Win, leader of the Military Revolutionary Council of Myanma Republic of Southeast-Asia is one of such terrorists other terrorists. In his attempt to build an effective totalitarian government between the 1960’s and 1970’s the Military Revolutionary council abolished independent political parties and independent papers that would have opposed them by published the truth, this was replaced by a single paper, The Working People’s Daily. Moreover, the military leaders formed the “Burmese Way of Socialism.” Students who opposed this took to the streets in protest—they were shot with machine guns like mere armed robbers. The Yangon University Student Union building where Thakin movement had been launched decades before was blown up with dynamites.

Other terrorists are: Adolph Hitler of Western Germany, Mussolini of Italy, Idiamin of Uganada, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and Roman Emperor Nero amongst others.

Any government that chops off the hands of its citizens merely because they stole a cup of rice or a tuba of yam to keep from dying of starvation, is a government headed by terrorists—alas, Sharia breeds terrorism; it undermines the teachings of the Holy Qur’an that teaches peace and forgiveness.

The Church is a place of refuge for the weak, especially homeless children, but not so the Catholic Church in Ireland. According to The Irish Times children are abused –“beating children whose crime it was that lice had infested their head.” Even sexual abuse has blemished the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland. And what is the government doing about this? NOTHING because of its misguided loyalty to the absolute authority of the Catholic Church.! These children live in terror of the church that is should be a sanctuary. The doctrine of this church undermines the teachings of the Holy bible. The Catholic Church in Ireland (and any other part of the world where such is practiced) is headed by terrorist.

Politicians in Terrorism

The Nigerian Presidential elections of April 2011 was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere in most state around the federation, however, the reveres was the case in Bauchi and Kanduna state—after the results were announced, a wave of violence swept through these two states—the hands of men mete out violence—the victims were members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)who were employed by the Federal Government to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Poling Officials.  Coppers were brutally murdered by political thugs who were not pleased with the final result; they believed that members of the NYSC who worked with INEC were loyal to the ruling party (PDP), hence, rigged the election to its favour. Youth Coppers were hunted down like dogs and murdered in cold blood—the fate of all Youth Coppers in these states was that of a cockroach. Suffice to say that Politicians with rabid lost for power are nothing but terrorists. 

The Gubernatorial elections was conducted nationwide on the 25th of April, but was postponed till the 28th in Bauchi and Kaduna States due to the wide spread of violence that robbed these states of valuable lives and property after the results of the presidential elections were released. On the 28th of April, the election was conducted  in an atmosphere like that of a graveyard—most people were terrified hence, stayed away from polling station—many rather be disenfranchised than to loose dear lives. Like one man said, “I rather stay at home than to go out and fraught with death.” Politicians with rabid lost for power are nothing but terrorists. 

Supper Powers in Terrorism

Any country in possession of weapon of mass destruction is a country governed by terrorists. What makes it wrong for one country to be in possession of weapons of mass destruction but right for another to be in possession of same? This is part of the injustice rooted in insanity that our world is fast and sadly drowning in— feces is feces whether in the face of a king or a fool. Any country in possession of these weapons wants the rest of the world to live in fear of them—they keep these weapons only to use them to terrorize the world in some future time. Therefore, all weapons of mass destruction should be made to meet with extinction.

The Way forward

The earlier we learn to respect life, the earlier we will rid our world of terrorism. The way forward is love and respect, respect for the life of every individual, every race, religion and tribe.

Hatred, prejudice, selfishness and greed, these are responsible for terrorism; until we free our world from the clutches of these four, terrorism will remain a scourge.

Evil begets evil: bad leadership breeds terrorism. When the right of a people is trampled upon— they are pushed to the wall—having no where to turn but to lash back at their oppressors; when this is done they are tagged terrorists. No doubt they are terrorists but these breed of terrorists are but the offspring of the “mother-terrorists” which happens to be bad government—the womb of bad governance fashions terrorism.

No man, no race, no tribe or gender is too small to be acknowledged—“every one is somebody no matter how small.”  Therefore the right of all should be respected.

Religious leaders should cease to instigate their flock against members of other religions—let God be the judge—He alone knows who is serving him right.

Police officers should bear in mind that the uniform on their backs does not make beasts out of them, rather, civilized law enforcers; hence, they should cease to abuse the uniform by respecting the rights of every individual whom the law dictates that they should protect.

Osama Bin Ladin, leader of the al-Qaeda network was pronounced dead by the US government after he and some members of the al-Qaeda network were engaged in a gun battle with a team of US Naval SEAL. However, skeptics are of the view that Bin Ladin is still alive, incarcerated somewhere by the US government for questioning. Osama Bin Laden could be buried somewhere dead—Osama bin Ladin could be musing somewhere incarcerated. Whatever state he may be, incarcerated or dead, peace lovers of this world should be thankful that now lay silenced a peace foe we all for a decade dread.

The face of Terrorism has changed over the years since that dark egg was laid and ached in 1789 by the French Revolutionists. The constrictor has evolved—he bears multiple names: “Bioterorism” when he uses biological weapons against the peace of men, “Cyberterrorism” when personal information and that which bothers on national security is accessed by hackers, or harmful computer viruses are used to hinder the progress of the economy. “Ecoterrorism” when facilities, public buildings or infrastructures are either blown up or vandalized by those who claim to be protectors of nature. Still on the payroll of this serpent called terrorism are Dictators, Military Juntas, Corrupt Police officers, spouse and child abusers, countries in possession of weapons of mass destruction, Politicians with rabid lost for power and Secrete cultists in our institutions of higher learning. However, whichever way terrorism seek to further torment the living,  he will only succeed if hate, greed, selfishness and prejudice still occupy their cozy room in our hearts; because in the absence of these dark tenants of  human heart, terrorism does not exits.

When Pinochet had joined the army he would not have predicted that he would hold political office without becoming a civilian politician first. Until the early 1970s the Chilean military unlike many of its Latin American counterparts kept out of national politics. However political divisions within the country intensified after the Marxist Salvador Allende was elected in 1970. At that point Pinochet and his superior Rene Schneider did not launch a coup.

Pinochet himself had been in the Chilean Army for 35 years at the start of the doomed Allende presidency . Schneider’s assassination in September 1972 (as an aside on the same day I was born) eventually led to Pinochet been made Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army in August 1973. He was quickly convinced of the need for a coup by his counterparts in the Air Force and the Navy as well as the CIA.

The brutality with which the coup of September 1973 was carried out by the Chilean military was a domestic shock and was internationally poorly received outside of the United States. Pinochet was made President within days and under him the army crushed left – wing opponents with draconian measures, summary executions, mass detentions without trial, disappearances, and even assassinations abroad.

The physical brutality of the Pinochet regime was matched by the harshness of its economic policies of the Chicago Boys. Their Neo – liberalism witnessed unemployment being used as a means of further weakening trade union influence alongside stringent anti – union legislation that allowed the army to shoot strikers. Chile was hit particularly hard by the global recession of the early 1980s as well as the Third World debt crisis. It had started to recover in the last years of the junta.

Despite international complaints of human rights abuses Pinochet had a secure grip upon power in Chile. His position was confirmed by the Constitution of 1980. In the previous year Chile had almost gone to war with Argentina over Easter Island. In 1982 Pinochet gained the gratitude of Mrs Thatcher by assisting Britain in the Falklands War. Pinochet’s hopes of remaining in power were ended in 1988 when he lost a plebiscite and gave up office after Patricio Aylwin was elected President. Despite numerous efforts to punish him for his human rights abuses he remained free until his death in 2006.

Bibliography

Hobsbawm, E Age of Extremes the Short Twentieth Century 1914-1991, (1994) Penguin Books Ltd, Middlesex

James H, (2003) Europe Reborn – A History, 1914 – 2000, Pearson Longman, Harlow

Palmowski J, (2008) Oxford Dictionary of Contemporary World History, Oxford

Woodruff W, A Concise History of the Modern World, (2005) Abacus, London

North Korea

North Korea is a country that has been described by journalists as being an information black hole. Also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (or DPRK), the country was formed in the aftermath of World War II, when the north was held under Soviet occupation and the south under the occupation of other allied countries. As a result of this occupation, North Korea has deceloped into a Soviet-style socialist regime contrasting with the Western-style republic of South Korea. Ben Anderson, a reporter for the BBC, said the country was strange to the point of being surreal and described it as a “Stalinist theme park”. The country’s political system is extreme and has been described as a ‘personality cult’ of the Eternal president: Kim Il-sung, who founded the country, and who continues to be president despite his death in 1994. The country is a dictatorship run by the president’s son Kim Jong Il. Every aspect of the media is controlled, propaganda is rife, and even history is portrayed differently within the borders of North Korea. According to a report from the committee to protect journalists, “North Korea has no independent journalists, and all radio and television receivers sold in the country are locked to government-specified frequencies. “

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries in continental Africa. Its President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been in power since 1979. The 1982 constitution of Equatorial Guinea gave Obiang extensive powers, which he uses to maintain tight hold on the country. The country is oil rich, and of the country’s £370 million revenue a large portion is confiscated by the president. Meanwhile most of the 500,000 subjects are living below the poverty line, often less than a dollar a day. The media is subject to heavy self-censorship, and there are laws in place banning criticism of public figures. The state-owned media and radio stations are controlled by the president’s son.

Burma

Burma, officially known as the Union of Myanmar, is governed by a strict military dictatorship (a military junta) headed by Senior General Than Shwe, who holds the not only the post of “Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council” but also “Commander in Chief of the Defense Services” and Minister of Defence. In 1989 the junta passed the “Adaptation of Expressions Law” that officially changed the English version of the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar, though many do not recognize the authority of the dictatorship to effect changes upon the country’s name.

The ‘Campaign for Human Rights and Democracy in Burma’, (the only national organisation in the UK dedicated to campaigning for human rights and democracy in Burma.) describes the country as being, “ruled by one of the most brutal military dictatorships in the world; a dictatorship charged by the United Nations with a ‘crime against humanity’ for its systematic abuses of human rights, and condemned internationally for refusing to transfer power to the legally elected Government of the country – the party led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.”

According to the committee to protect journalists, “The junta owns all daily newspapers and radio, along with the country’s three television channels. Media dare not hint at, let alone report on, antigovernment sentiments.”

Less than two weeks ago, the price of natural gas and oil in Myanmar rose between one hundred and five hundred percent, depending upon the source. Spurred on by the extreme rises in price, Buddhist monks and regular civilians began protesting against the government, in response, the military junta currently in power brought on a full scale crackdown against the rioting, which has now incurred the attention of the international community.

Especially interesting is the involvement of the Russian Federation, which is working in concert with the People’s Republic of China, in order to attain its interests. For Russia, Myanmar holds a special business interest. Over the past few years, the Russian Federation has entered into business dealings with Myanmar. For example, in May, nuclear equipment export monopoly Atomstroyexport signed an agreement to build a nuclear research center in Myanmar. Zarubezhneft, Russia’s leading foreign trade company in oil and gas sector, natural gas producer Itera, and Silver Wave Sputnik Petroleum, are currently producing Myanmar’s offshore oil deposits alongside the Chinese company PetroChina, after having had connected with the south Russian republic of Kalmykia. Also, Myanmar bought 15 Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters for about $150 million in 2001, and is now negotiating with Russia’s state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport the establishment of an air defense system comprising Tor-M1 and Buk-M1-2 missile systems. These business dealings, with a special influence on the energy related deals are especially important to the Russian Federation.

Russia, who is currently one of the leading exporters of natural gas, is on the path to achieving a monopoly on energy throughout Europe (see “Economic Brief: The Implications of a Russian-led Gas Cartel.”), is most likely utilizing Myanmar and the Burmese oil and natural gas deposits (which it has gained access to after having negotiating the placement of the aforementioned air defense systems) to further its goals of monopolizing Europe and possibly expanding its economic and political interest into the East. It is also important to note the establishment of state-controlled air defense systems in Myanmar, in order to gain access Burmese oil. It is possible that these air defense systems will serve other purposes, such as; establishing bases to counter growing Chinese power or American influence, much like the United States has done in Belarus after establishing military bases, and continues to do in Taiwan.

Oddly, very little in the way of evidence is offered up by the Russian government through rhetoric, only after careful analysis is a possible position discovered. Recently, the Russian foreign ministry released a statement that said, ”Urgent steps must be taken to prevent the escalation of tensions’ in Myanmar. At face value this is a contradiction to what President Vladimir Putin has been quoted by a Russian news agency as saying that it would be “premature” to speak of international sanctions, involving Myanmar. After a more careful analysis of the two statements, what had once seemed contradictory is now revealed to be complimentary to one another and the possible strategy that the Russian Federation will pursue.

Analysis of the quotes will show that, Russia does indeed support an urgent response to stop the escalation of hostilities, that is, to end the demonstrations and reestablish a measure of stability in Myanmar; also, they do not support the implication of sanctions against Myanmar. So in essence, Russia holds interests in the stabilization and continued unsanctioned existence of Myanmar’s junta government, so that they may continue with the acquisition of Burmese oil, and a stable ally in the region.

Opposition to this has come from several sources, one being the United States, who has called for immediate action and sanctions against the military junta in Myanmar. The possible interests of the United States are a little more difficult to decipher than those of the Russian Federation. The United States is most likely interested in Myanmar because of Russia’s interests. Because Russia is a rising power, and the current junta in Myanmar is friendly with Russia, the United States is interested in order to possibly undermine the Russian Federation. If the current regime in Myanmar is disposed, it will be possible that a democratic government will come to power. Historically, democracies are much friendlier to one another. The democracy that could come to fruition would also be much more predisposed to be friendly towards the United States than to the Russian Federation, mainly because the Russian Federation has supported the current junta, and aligned itself alongside of China, who has used its veto power in the UN Security Council in order to allow Myanmar’s many human right’s violations to be overlooked. This possibility of a democratic government, and it’s possible disposition towards friendly relations with the United States, is also an important driving force between the Russian Federation and China’s actions in Myanmar.

Another source of opposition has come from India. The reason for India’s involvement is the veritable backstab by Myanmar concerning the removal of India from the status of “preferential buyer” in regards to the offshore oilfields off the coast of Myanmar. After being removing India from preferential buyer status, the junta entered into negotiations with Russian and Chinese oil companies as was previously mentioned. The possible Indian interests are limited at best, after being pushed aside by China (See “Pipeline Politics: India and Myanmar”), it is most likely that the Indian government opposes Russia and China in an attempt to maintain some form of business relations with the tiny Asian nation.

Currently, with the lack of harsh or committed rhetoric, it is difficult to tell what actions and strategies the Russian Federation will adopt when taking action around Myanmar, whether or not that strategy will be and active intervention or a more passive campaign of rhetoric is yet to be seen. It is also difficult to tell as to whether the involvement of India and the United States will play much a role in situation at hand. However, it is an assured statement to say that the Russian Federation does have extended economic interests, which will definitely be considered to be vital to the interests of the Russian Federation.