In East Asia, bordering India and China, is the small Kachin State inside the country of Myanmar. It is split in half with one side controlled by the Kachin Independence Army and the other by the Burmese Army. The Kachin want to continue to be controlled by their own regime, but the Burmese want full control of the territory and will wipe out any Kachin in the way if necessary; or so it seems.
In the Kachin State, there are many valuable resources that are used specifically by the Chinese such as, jade, gold, and timber. Not to mention that it is also an area where China tests out a lot of their hydro powered facilities and with their ties to China, one would think that the Chinese are stepping in to help out the small, under developed state. China is not doing a whole lot to stop the war or get involved, but it has opening its borders, allowing thousands of villagers to seek refuge there. However, China is concerned about stability along the border and wants the problem to be settled.
In relation to the US, Myanmar has recently improved its ties with the US when their current President, Thein Sein released 651 political prisoners last week. The massive release, according to the US, was a massive "step towards democracy." Which of course the US loved because we love anyone who is willing to take the steps toward democracy... right?
Political standpoints aside, what is really important is the fact that the Kachin people are being forcibly chased from their homeland. Fleeing to China and living in poor conditions. The Burmese army is trying very hard to take over the land of the Kachin. They have burned and looted homes, planted mines, used force to recruit people, and tortured many of those recruited. Also, the Burmese Army has raped, tortured, and executed many civilians.
When is comes to issues of Ethnic Division, it is always interesting to figure out what is at the heart of the problem. In my opinion, the reason why it is so interesting is because the main reason behind the issue has nothing to do with the people, but to do with political power. The fight here seems to be for resources and relations with super power, China. In the article it states that, "some Chinese officials may welcome the Burmese military control, because they prefer to negotiate with them."
This fight for resources is not the only one. The US in fighting in the Middle East for the same reasons. The War on Terror is also the quest for oil. In Myanmar it is the fight for valuable resources that could bring the country a lot of money. The issue is that the Kachin people seem to be content being their own seperate state in Myanmar and the Burmese want control of their assets. Clearly, they are willing to go whatever lengths they can to achieve this control, but they are even willing to displace and/or wipe out a whole ethnic group to get what they want. It is a shame how the greed that comes with power can fog the mind to what is morally right and to the value of the human life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/world/asia/ethnic-war-with-kachin-intensifies-in-myanmar-jeopardizing-united-states-ties.html
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