by Michael Dozier,MS

Created on: July 09, 2009

Burma and North Korea, a dangerous liaison?

As a defiant Burma continues to distance itself from the international community, a dangerous alliance is forming with North Korea.

Senior General Than Shwe, leader of the Burmese military government has defiantly disregarded demands by the United Nation and the international community to allow democratic elections and release over 2,000 political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

On 03 July 2009 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon attempted to seek the release of the prisoners and meet with the imprisoned leader, but was denied access. After several other unsuccessful attempts at requesting an open dialogue with General Than Shwe, General Ki-moon expressed his frustration by stating Burma's government failed to take the opportunity to show a new era of political openness. He continued by saying how disappointed he was that the government was unwilling to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible."

Over the years, the UN has received reports about the brutality the Burmese government shows towards its citizens and the questions of crimes against humanity. However the United Nations has not been willing to impose sanctions on them. This may be due to the fact that China, a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, rejects sanctions against Burma.

The United States has played a role in the joining of Burma and North Korea. With North Korea's continuing defiance toward United States and the UN, and their impending development of nuclear arms, Burmas admiration of Kim Jong II's insolence toward the international community especially the United States, give Burma the illusion of someday developing its own nuclear arsenal.

Can the United Nation wait for another hostile nation, to build nuclear capable weapons? It is no secret that North Korea has assisted Burma in creating a survival plan in case of military intervention by the UN security forces. On 01 July 2009 US Navy officials tracked a North Korean cargo ship heading toward Burma. The freight was unknown, however when spotted by the US ship, the cargo ship altered course and returned back to North Korea.

Early Intelligence reports indicated that Burma has sent several officials to North Korea as a result; Burma began constructing massive underground tunnels in its capital city of Naypyidaw. The plans are similar to North Korean construction technique.

It is time for the United States and the UN to realize that diplomacy is not working. The United Nation, need to pressure China into taking a stand and vote for sanctions against Burma. They need to make a move to help the people of Burma and to suppress this dangerous liaison between the two hostile countries.

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