by Bran Herbert

Created on: September 28, 2007

Ever since protests began in August over the abrupt rise in fuel prices, Myanmar (previously known as Burma) has gathered worldwide attention. Now with the monks taking part in the protests and news reports of the government violently cracking down on protestors, the Myanmar government faces even more harsh criticism both from within and without.

Myanmar will likely follow its pattern of attempting to quiet the unrest in the country while pretending to the world that it isn't happening - or, at least, that it isn't a big deal. Change will come slowly, but as more and more nations begin to put pressure, and more diplomats attempt to negotiate the situation between the government and its people, I think that a compromise will soon be forthcoming.

First, the government will have to reduce fuel prices. Ever since they nearly doubled it overnight, many of Myanmar's poorest have been hit the hardest. Their harsh crackdown on protesters only exacerbates the situation and brings more attention to it, which means that the assault and, sometimes, murder of those trying to get the government to listen must stop.

This is another example of how important it is for a government to listen to its people. If they are pushed far enough, eventually, the people will push back.

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