Burma and the sounds of Rudd's silence

The regime’s stupidity, paranoia and irrationality know no boundaries. The Burmese Embassy in Hong Kong has gone so far to declare that John William Yettaw, the man accused of spending two nights in Daw Suu Kyi’s residence was possibly a “secret agent” or “her boyfriend”.

With the prospect of Daw Suu Kyi being erased from the political picture, the junta have removed their greatest obstacle and most vocal critic. Opposition groups in Burma and governments world wide have clearly stated that no election will be considered worth participating in unless two conditions are met. First, the immediate and unconditional release of more than 2,100 political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; second, a review the constitution by all political stakeholders is undertaken; and third, that all human rights be respected.

Any person or organisation who feels that the prospect of a free and fair election in 2010 under the Burmese military regime is possible, in theory or practice, is mistaken. If the junta's brutal responses to the last two uprisings are a guide, it will leave us all resembling clowns on a unicycle juggling grenades.

If this happens, Burma will be on a lonely planet and we will be left to ponder Martin Niemoller's famous words after the monster that is the military junta has removed all opposition to their rule:

"... Then they came for me, and by that time nobody was left to speak up ..."