Monthly e-newsletter from Focus on the Global South, India


Burma: Democracy upsurge

On September 24, over 100,000 people led by 20,000 monks peacefully took to the streets of Rangoon demanding the release of all political prisoners and for an end to the 45 year rule of the Burmese military junta. While the democracy movement gained strength and messages of support poured in from all parts of the world, guess what the world largest democracy did? India sent its Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to negotiate, with the junta, a deal for exploration of natural gas off the Rakhine coast. India was of course shamed into doing a u-turn, but it still opposes economic sanctions against the Burmese regime. No surprises there, considering India’s deep economic ties with the junta. To quote an Indian official ‘We’re not the only democracy that works with generals’. As the repression against the activists continues, this FOI carries a call for solidarity from the Burmese movements.

We have an exclusive from Walden Bello in our articles section. Bello takes on the issue of climate change and attempts to articulate what the developing world’s stance towards the question of the environment should be. Looking at the examples of South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, China and India amongst others, he comes to the conclusion that people in the south are open to an alternative to a model of growth that has failed both the environment and society.

The anti-neoliberal axis in America got a fillip with the victory of Rafael Correa of Ecuador. We reproduce an article from www.crosscurrents.org on the elections.

We also carry a leaflet on a vigil in Mumbai on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary to focus attention on farmer’s suicides. The 31st Indian Social Congress kicks off in Mumbai from 27-31 December. Useful information in this issue for those who want to submit papers.


Contents:

1. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.a. XXXI Indian Social Science Congress: Invite for Papers
1.b. WSF: Call for Day of Action and Mobilisation

2. STATEMENTS/ REPORTS
2.a. Call for Solidarity: Burma’s non-violent Demonstrations for change
2.b. Call for International Support of Antiwar Demonstrations Planned for U.S.
2.c. Left Triumphs in Ecuadorian Elections, Country's Institutions to be Transformed    
2.d. Press Report and pamphlet on Candle Light Vigil on Farmers Suicides in Mumbai, October 2 2007
2.e. Report of Public Meeting in Mumbai on Indo-US Nuclear Deal: Why? What? For whom?
2.f. Ten Questions for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Indo-US Nuclear Deal

3. ARTICLES    
3.a. The Environmental Movement in the Global South: The Pivotal Agent in the Fight against Global Warming by Walden Bello