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| Southeast Asia |
| Russia, Burma sign oil-for-arms deal |
| 2006-04-12 |
| ISN SECURITY WATCH (Wednesday, 12 April 2006: 14.24 CET) – Burma (Myanmar) has agreed to allow Russia to exploit its oil fields in return for weapons in a deal that is expected to spark much international controversy in light of the poor human rights record of Burma’s military junta. Russia’s Kommersant daily newspaper reported that the agreement was signed between Burmese General Maung Aye - the junta’s second in command - and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on 3 April. The Russian daily said the two sides were now involved in discussion about the delivery of Russian arms and Burma’s request for assistance in developing an anti-aircraft system. The newspaper harshly criticized the deal, saying: “The rapprochement between Moscow and Myanmar, a pariah on the international scene because of its serious restriction of freedoms, is explained not only by economic factors”. Burma is one of the world’s poorest countries but has one of the world's largest armies. Since the 1960s, Burma has been under military rule - with the exception of a brief pause in the 1970s before the country returned to military rule in 1988 amid nationwide anti-military protests. The Southeast Asian nation has had no constitution since its 1974 charter was suspended that same year. The international community has accused the military regime of human rights abuses. The country has no independent judiciary and political opposition is not tolerated. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 Curious. Last I knew, the Chinese were handling the oil exploration. Burma's buffoons are playing both sides. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2006-04-12 12:02 |