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America's hill tribe allies from World War II today stand staunchly in the path of China's expansionism. China's centuries-long aim is to secure direct access to the Indian Ocean, so China regards Burma as its front door to world markets, natural resources and economic prosperity. Ethnic freedom fighters in Burma today, whose forefathers fought at the side of Yanks and Brits during World War II, have been waging decades-long resistance against Burma's brutal military dictatorship. They threaten China's desire to dominate Burma, to secure unfettered access to the Indian Ocean, and to control the natural resources of African and European markets. With America focusing on Southwest Asia, China grabs strategic terrain everywhere. In Burma, China is pouring billions of dollars to Burma's dictator, General Than Shwe, who is systematically raping Burma's human and natural resources. His scorched earth campaign against these ethnic lands, which are rich in natural resources, has already destroyed over 3,500 ethnic villages, internally displaced over 470,000 people, and made casualties of 800,000 forced laborers. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher gives us his first-hand report in National Review (September 24, 2010): "I recently returned from the Thai-Burmese border, where I consulted with members of the Burmese democracy movement. I was deeply impressed with not only their courage, but also their commitment to a decentralized, denuclearized, democratic Burma. The freedom-loving people of the region want to be our allies against an evil enemy, as they were in the fight against the Japanese in World War II. The American government has treated them as pariahs. "A few Americans -- missionaries, former members of the Special Forces, and a sprinkling of adventurers -- are there on the border as volunteers. Reminiscent of the Flying Tigers before Pearl Harbor, though not as well equipped, this ragtag contingent of American idealists help as best they can, though often facing hostility from elements in our own government. They are doing what my father used to call 'the Lord's work' -- literally as well as figuratively. "Our government did not support brave anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan, like Commander Massoud, until after we had been attacked on 9/11. Had we done so, the attack might not have happened. So there is a cost to a policy of ignoring those struggling against tyrannical and/or fanatical forces, as in Afghanistan -- and in Burma." "When America supports those brave souls fighting for their freedom against despicable tyrants, we are not only doing the right thing by them, we are invariably bolstering the safety of our own country." The pity is that most Americans have no idea our old buddies fight on, ever in hope of America as their champion. These gallant defenders of their people now face down the Burmese dictator in a last stand as China pours on resources to hasten their doom. |
