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The Webb of Betrayal
FrontPage Magazine ^ | October 8, 2009 | Ryan Mauro

Posted on 10/08/2009 12:27:17 AM PDT by TDCAnalyst

The military junta of Burma is working hard at oppressing the country’s people and is following in North Korea’s footsteps in becoming a rogue state. At this time when the U.S. is most strategically and morally obligated to support the country’s democracy movement, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia has begun engaging the junta, drawing the ire of today’s Martin Luther Kings and George Washingtons in Burma.

Senator Webb became the first member of Congress to visit Burma on August 15, and granted the leader of the junta, General Than Shwe, his first visit from a senior American policy-maker. Webb also met with the Burmese Foreign Minister on September 23. Shwe reacted to this honor by releasing American citizen John Yettaw, who had been imprisoned for going to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy that is the primary force opposed to the regime. Webb has also called for her release to no avail so far.

Webb may point to Yettaw’s release as proof that his engagement of the junta is working to help the democracy movement and isn’t undercutting the human rights movement, but this is the very impression the junta wants to project. The release was done not as a result of the persuasion of Webb but to facilitate the proposed lifting of sanctions on Burma. The release of Yettaw didn’t even receive the applause of those fighting for freedom in Burma.

“This will surely make a negative impression among the people of Burma. They will think that Americans are easy to satisfy with the dictators when they get their citizens back,” said Aung Din, the founder and policy director of the U.S. Campaign for Burma....

(Excerpt) Read more at frontpagemag.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 111th; burma; democracy; jimwebb; webb; yettaw

1 posted on 10/08/2009 12:27:18 AM PDT by TDCAnalyst
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To: TDCAnalyst
I just don’t get why Webb would back Burma’s military.

He did a good job under Reagan, but has seriously departed any pretense of being a Marine, truth, duty, honor.

The Burma junta is bad news for anyone who crosses its path. Potential nuclear aspirations only prove that it understands “Power through Strength”.

Which our DC establishment does not.

2 posted on 10/08/2009 2:36:48 AM PDT by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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