Changes

'''Burma''' (or ''Myanmar'') is a country in southeast [[Asia]] run by a pro-[[China]] military [[junta]] widely condemned for [[human rights]] abuses.

'''Burma''' (or ''Myanmar'') is a country in southeast [[Asia]] run by a pro-[[China]] military [[junta]] widely condemned for [[human rights]] abuses.

The new regime renamed the country '''Myanmar''' and moved the capital from [[Rangoon]] to Pyinmana in remote mountain region.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4416960.stm Burma's confusing capital move] </ref> The [[United States]] and [[Great Britain]] have never recognized the Junta's renaming of the country.

The new regime renamed the country '''Myanmar''' and moved the capital from [[Rangoon]] to Pyinmana in remote mountain region.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4416960.stm Burma's confusing capital move]</ref> The [[United States]] and [[Great Britain]] have never recognized the Junta's renaming of the country.

==People==

==People==

The Union of Burma (or Myanmar as it is called by the ruling junta) consists of 14 states and divisions. Administrative control is exercised from the central government through a system of subordinate executive bodies and regional military commanders.  

The Union of Burma (or Myanmar as it is called by the ruling junta) consists of 14 states and divisions. Administrative control is exercised from the central government through a system of subordinate executive bodies and regional military commanders.  

Power is centered on the ruling junta--the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC--which maintains strict authoritarian rule over the people of Burma. The Prime Minister is appointed directly by the SPDC. Control is maintained through intimidation, the strict censuring of information, repression of individual rights, and suppression of ethnic minority groups.  

Power is centered on the ruling junta—the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC—which maintains strict authoritarian rule over the people of Burma. The Prime Minister is appointed directly by the SPDC. Control is maintained through intimidation, the strict censuring of information, repression of individual rights, and suppression of ethnic minority groups.  

The SPDC continues its harsh rule and systematic human rights abuses today, and insists that any future political transition be negotiated on its terms. It proclaimed a seven-step roadmap to democracy beginning with a National Convention process, purportedly to develop a new constitution and pave the way for national elections. However the regime restricts public input and debate and handpicks the delegates, effectively excluding pro-democracy supporters.  

The SPDC continues its harsh rule and systematic human rights abuses today, and insists that any future political transition be negotiated on its terms. It proclaimed a seven-step roadmap to democracy beginning with a National Convention process, purportedly to develop a new constitution and pave the way for national elections. However the regime restricts public input and debate and handpicks the delegates, effectively excluding pro-democracy supporters.  

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council--Senior General Than Shwe  

*Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council—Senior General Than Shwe  

*Prime Minister--Gen. Soe Win  

*Prime Minister—Gen. Soe Win  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--U Nyan Win  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—U Nyan Win  

*Chargé d' Affaires, Burmese Embassy in the United States--U Myint Lwin

*Chargé d' Affaires, Burmese Embassy in the United States—U Myint Lwin

*Ambassador to the United Nations--U Kyaw Tint Swe  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—U Kyaw Tint Swe  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

The United States downgraded its level of representation in Burma from Ambassador to Chargé d'Affaires after the government's crackdown on the democratic opposition in 1988 and its failure to honor the results of the 1990 parliamentary election.  

The United States downgraded its level of representation in Burma from Ambassador to Chargé d'Affaires after the government's crackdown on the democratic opposition in 1988 and its failure to honor the results of the 1990 parliamentary election.  

The United States offered humanitarian aid following Cyclone Nargis, which hit the area of Yangon on May 3, 2008 (see below).  The sum total, in excess of US$3 million dollars, also includes U.S. naval assistance.  While speaking of the need for aid to Burman, President [[George W. Bush]] also signed legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354246,00.html</ref>.

The United States offered humanitarian aid following Cyclone Nargis, which hit the area of Yangon on May 3, 2008 (see below).  The sum total, in excess of US$3 million dollars, also includes U.S. naval assistance.  While speaking of the need for aid to Burman, President [[George W. Bush]] also signed legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354246,00.html</ref>

===Relations with China===

===Relations with China===

Government economic statistics are unavailable and unreliable. According to official figures, GDP growth has been over 10% annually since FY 1999-2000. However, the rate is likely much smaller. Burma's limited economic growth results largely from its natural gas exports, which account for over half of Burma's export receipts and foreign direct investment. Natural gas exports will increase significantly once production begins from the offshore Shwe and Shwephyu Fields, estimated to hold 5.7-10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2005-2006, the oil and gas sector accounted for $69 million in foreign direct investment. Corporations based in China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia have interests in the exploration and development of several offshore blocks.  

Government economic statistics are unavailable and unreliable. According to official figures, GDP growth has been over 10% annually since FY 1999-2000. However, the rate is likely much smaller. Burma's limited economic growth results largely from its natural gas exports, which account for over half of Burma's export receipts and foreign direct investment. Natural gas exports will increase significantly once production begins from the offshore Shwe and Shwephyu Fields, estimated to hold 5.7-10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2005-2006, the oil and gas sector accounted for $69 million in foreign direct investment. Corporations based in China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia have interests in the exploration and development of several offshore blocks.  

Burma remains the world's second-largest producer of illicit opium--although it amounts to only 11% of the world's total. Annual production of opium is now estimated to be less than 20% of mid-1990 peak levels. Burma is also a primary source of amphetamine-type stimulants in Asia. Although the Burmese Government has expanded its counternarcotics measures in recent years, production and trafficking of narcotics and failure to adequately prosecute those involved remains a major problem in Burma.

Burma remains the world's second-largest producer of illicit opium—although it amounts to only 11% of the world's total. Annual production of opium is now estimated to be less than 20% of mid-1990 peak levels. Burma is also a primary source of amphetamine-type stimulants in Asia. Although the Burmese Government has expanded its counternarcotics measures in recent years, production and trafficking of narcotics and failure to adequately prosecute those involved remains a major problem in Burma.

===Human trafficking===

===Human trafficking===

In September 2007, monks and other protesters paraded through the streets for over 9 days before the government ordered them to disperse.

In September 2007, monks and other protesters paraded through the streets for over 9 days before the government ordered them to disperse.

It is severely censured by groups from [[ASEAN]] <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3085819.stm </ref> and [[Amnesty International]] <ref>http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/mmr-summary-eng</ref> for its [[human rights]] abuses, ranging from forced labour, to a campaign of oppression and what some claim amounts to [[genocide]]<ref>http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs3/Horton-2005.pdf</ref>. There are widespread reports of Christians being persecuted by the regime. <ref>http://www.persecution.org/suffering/countryinfodetail.php?countrycode=12</ref><ref>http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2007/10/01/us-report-highlights-christian-persecution-in-burma/</ref>

It is severely censured by groups from [[ASEAN]] <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3085819.stm</ref> and [[Amnesty International]] <ref>http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/mmr-summary-eng</ref> for its [[human rights]] abuses, ranging from forced labour, to a campaign of oppression and what some claim amounts to [[genocide]].<ref>http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs3/Horton-2005.pdf</ref> There are widespread reports of Christians being persecuted by the regime.<ref>http://www.persecution.org/suffering/countryinfodetail.php?countrycode=12</ref><ref>http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2007/10/01/us-report-highlights-christian-persecution-in-burma/</ref>

====Cyclone Nargis====

====Cyclone Nargis====

[[Category:Dictatorships]]

[[Category:Dictatorships]]

[[Category:Police State]]

[[Category:Police State]]

[[category:Asia]]

[[Category:Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]