Now that the world media is highlighted by the Beijing Olympics and the conflict in Georgia, and as a teacher of the history of Imperialism may I take this opportunity to highlight some of the facts and figures of the Georgia crisis especially to the pro ethno democratic forces and draw lessons as we can no longer afford the trial and error method. A country living under the shadow of the evil Chinese empire must be able to see things clearly and visualise all the trappings for the future of Union of Burma.

US President George W Bush, who has never been to Burma, has at least learnt to pronounce the name of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi correctly for which the Burmese activist dumped him, as well informed has delivered a major policy speech in Thailand and liaise with Burmese dissidents, while the first lady Laura Bush had visited Mae La, the biggest Burmese refugee camps (60,000 souls unofficial figure) to see things for herself.

Advancement of new media and communication has substantially impacted on the social and political movements of the Burmese democratic activists. The political activists from inside and outside Burma are using new media and communications as a tool to struggle for democracy and Human Rights in Burma.

Minister of Propaganda, Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan held one of his infamous press conferences on 26 April 2006, following the burning of a large quantity of narcotics and amphetamine tablets seized over the last few months. The minister took the opportunity to issue a mad tirade against the Shan State Army and the National League for Democracy.

Corruption is a worldwide issue and hits the poorest countries hardest. Burma gets to be near the bottom in poor poverty and corruption. Transparency International (TI – see footnote) have over the last few years prepared annual reports that indicate a comparative score called the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Their report for 2005 indicates that Burma is fourth from bottom in a league table of 159 countries (Ref 1), with a CPI of 1.8 out of 10 – indicating a severe corruption problem.