Satellite Images Used to Monitor Burmese Junta

BurmesePython writes "Human rights groups are using high-resolution satellites images to reveal the activities of Burma's junta as it gets tough with pro-democracy protesters. Apparently 'it should be easy to spot groups of monks because of their distinctive maroon robes'. Like previous efforts to use satellites to monitor the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the hope is it will prod the UN and other international actors into putting pressure on the Burmese rulers."

Comments

Re:Because it's a substitute for actual action?

[rcw-home]

why don't the member nations just act and cut out the UN "middleman"? This is, after all, historically the way international action has been carried out. European governments trying to cope with Napoleon, the Kaiser, Hitler or (going further back) the Mongol or Ottoman invaders didn't feel a need to create a standing bureaucracy to validate by inscribing (in five official languages) on parchment what they'd already collectively decided to do. They just acted, forming governing councils and agreements as and where they were needed -- and not otherwise.

The rationale goes back to preventing another World War I. At the turn of the century, most nations in Europe made alliances with each other that if one of them were attacked, their ally would step in to defend them. They grouped themselves into the Entente Powers and the Central Powers. Now, if governments were the only actors, and if these alliances were public knowledge, this might have resulted in a tense, but stable environment. What actually happened was a terrorist group from Serbia (the Black Hand Society) assassinated the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. Both sides reacted disproportionately, Austria-Hungary declared war, most of Europe honored their treaty obligations, and millions died.

The League of Nations, the predecessor to the UN (and ineffective even in comparison to the UN) was the response to the perceived causes of World War I.

Re:Real help still illegal!

[corbettw]

If there's one thing bad 70's TV taught me, it's that a pissed off Buddhist monk is NOT to be trifled with. The Burmese military doesn't know what it's in for.