Czechoslovakia had the original Velvet Revolution, then Georgia had the Rose Revolution, Ukraine the Orange Revolution, Kyrgyzstan the Tulip Revolution, and Lebanon the Cedar Revolution. Now Burma's protest against the ruling military junta has been given its own colorful name: the "Saffron Revolution," after the color of the robes worn by the Buddhist monks who have provided the backbone of the protests.
Below, the London Telegraph provides an overview of the protests, what they are about, how they started, and why the involvement of the monks is so important. Most particularly, note the odd role of China. This report (and others I have seen) notes: "Diplomats say that China does not want to see massacres carried out by its friends in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics next year, and is urging restraint." That's a funny attitude for the butchers of Tiananmen Square to take.
But there are rumors that the Burmese junta may ignore China's words and follow its example, initiating a violent crackdown against the protests.
"Burma Protests: Q&A," Sebastien Berger, London Telegraph, September 25 The first demonstrations were triggered by fuel price increases of as much as 500 per cent announced by the Burma's military rulers last month. Around 200 people were arrested but protests continued.
Earlier this month soldiers fired over the heads of monks in the town of Pakkoku. Outraged, religious leaders demanded the junta apologise, which it has failed to do, and tear gas was used against another demonstration, also including monks, in Sittwe.
At the weekend the All-Burma Monks Alliance, a previously unknown group which appears to be organising the protests, invited ordinary civilians to join them.
From initially being about fuel prices, the protests have spread to far wider grievances. The vast majority of Burmese live in poverty, the economy impoverished by the regime's isolation, corruption and mismanagement.
At first the demonstrators restricted themselves to chants and prayers, with no overt statements for change, but now calls for political reform are being made, including the release of the democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the regime stepping down from power….
The presence of monks leading the protests puts the military in a difficult position. Buddhism is an essential part of the Burmese identity, and to physically attack monks would threaten both a popular uprising and their own immortal souls—Burmese are highly superstitious and the generals are no exception. Buddhist authorities have said that monks will refuse to accept alms from soldiers, which effectively prevents them from "making merit" and fulfilling their religious duties….
Against this [i.e., "that there will be blood on the streets"] is the influence of China, Burma's most important ally and trading partner. Diplomats say that China does not want to see massacres carried out by its friends in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics next year, and is urging restraint. But as the ineffectiveness of Western diplomatic moves in recent years have shown, the Burmese regime is adept at ignoring international pressure.
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