China, India, Russia Refuse Sanctions on Burma
Created: 2007-10-25 11:51 EST
Category: World > Asia Pacific
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CHAN:
In a meeting held in China's Harbin City, the foreign ministers of China, India, and Russia decided they will not impose sanctions to curb Burma's military junta. Unlike America and many European democratic countries, China, India, and Russia say they will rely on dialogue alone to call for an end to the crackdown on Burma's democracy protesters.
STORY:
As the India-Russia-China troika meeting concludes in China's northeastern province of Harbin on Wednesday, the three nations appeared united on the principal issue of Burma. The countries' leaders came out in favor of what they call "reconciliation and political dialogue" with the military junta.
India's Foreign Minister says international dialogue could solve the problems in Burma. But India may have an interest in allowing the military junta to remain in power. In recent years, India has sold weapons to the junta. And the same week that Burma's protests began last months, India signed a major oil exploration deal with the regime.
China, the most ardent backer of the military junta in Burma, says the international community should adopt a more reconciliatory approach on the turmoil in Burma. On the other hand, China, whose oil imports are increasing every year, has more economic interests in Burma than perhaps any other nation.
Russia also claims that sanctions will only aggravate the problems in the region. Yet last year, Russia offered weapons and military planes to Burma in exchange for access to its natural resources. In addition, the current unstable situation in Burma keeps international oil markets nervous, allowing Russia's own oil export prices to remain at record highs.
Burmese soldiers opened fire on the streets of the capital last month as thousands of Buddhist monks and civilians demanded democracy in the biggest protests in the country in 20 years. The Democratic Voice of Burma reports that police have killed over 130 civilians, including monks.
In a meeting held in China's Harbin City, the foreign ministers of China, India, and Russia decided they will not impose sanctions to curb Burma's military junta. Unlike America and many European democratic countries, China, India, and Russia say they will rely on dialogue alone to call for an end to the crackdown on Burma's democracy protesters.
STORY:
As the India-Russia-China troika meeting concludes in China's northeastern province of Harbin on Wednesday, the three nations appeared united on the principal issue of Burma. The countries' leaders came out in favor of what they call "reconciliation and political dialogue" with the military junta.
India's Foreign Minister says international dialogue could solve the problems in Burma. But India may have an interest in allowing the military junta to remain in power. In recent years, India has sold weapons to the junta. And the same week that Burma's protests began last months, India signed a major oil exploration deal with the regime.
China, the most ardent backer of the military junta in Burma, says the international community should adopt a more reconciliatory approach on the turmoil in Burma. On the other hand, China, whose oil imports are increasing every year, has more economic interests in Burma than perhaps any other nation.
Russia also claims that sanctions will only aggravate the problems in the region. Yet last year, Russia offered weapons and military planes to Burma in exchange for access to its natural resources. In addition, the current unstable situation in Burma keeps international oil markets nervous, allowing Russia's own oil export prices to remain at record highs.
Burmese soldiers opened fire on the streets of the capital last month as thousands of Buddhist monks and civilians demanded democracy in the biggest protests in the country in 20 years. The Democratic Voice of Burma reports that police have killed over 130 civilians, including monks.
