Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Friday 12th October

- Supporters adamant that Al Gore should re-run for US Presidency

- The UN Security Council issues landmark statement on Myanmar

- Nepal’s parliament to hold debate on the country’s monarchy

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The campaign to propel former US vice-president Al Gore into the 2008 US presidential race is gathering renewed momentum, as Mr. Gore waits to learn whether he has won this year’s Nobel Peace prize for his environmental education campaign.

A lobby group known as “Draft Gore” has taken out full-page newspaper advertisements imploring Mr Gore to bring some vision and experience to the race for the Democratic nomination.

Even though the man himself maintains he has no intention of running, his army of supporters are optimistic he will change his mind and believe being awarded the Peace Prize could just be the catalyst for the former politician to enter the presidential race.

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In a statement uniting Western powers and China for the first time, the U.N. Security Council has deplored Myanmar’s crushing of pro-democracy protests and urged political dialogue.

The statement said “all political prisoners and remaining detainees” should be released soon and called on the junta that has ruled Myanmar for four decades to prepare for a “genuine dialogue” with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It was the first time the council had taken official action on Myanmar and marked a shift of position by China, a neighbour and key trading partner of Myanmar that had previously used its veto to prevent criticism of the country’s authorities.

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In related news, Humans Rights Watch has urged the U.N. Security Council to impose a total arms embargo on Myanmar’s ruling generals because of “continuing massive violations of human rights”.

The New York-based group singled out India, China and Russia for criticism as the principal allies and suppliers of military hardware to the former Burma’s junta.

According to Human Rights Watch India – which, like China, covets Myanmar’s huge natural gas reserves – had sold the junta tanks and artillery this year and was getting ready to sell more aircraft, artillery, armoured personnel carriers, tanks, ships and small arms next year.

HRW also said China had supplied the generals, already subject to European and U.S. arms embargoes, with helicopter gunships, tanks, mortars, small arms and landmines.

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Nepal’s interim parliament has been forced to hold an emergency debate on the future of the monarchy’s King Gyanendra.

The meeting is being held at the instigation of former Maoist rebels who have been demanding the abolition of the monarchy and who pulled out of the coalition government last month.

But the governing Nepali Congress party is insisting that a new parliament should first be elected which will then decide the future of the royal family.

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The Seventh Session of 16th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist regime commenced earlier this week under heavy security with State Security officers, Armed Police and plainclothes officers heavily guarded the venue.

The high level of security is partly in response to an attempt by the Communist Authority to dissuade petitioners and protestors from disturbing Congress proceedings.

Previously petitioners were able to voice their concern and seek assistance over perceived wrongdoings or matters of corruption, but recently more and more have been turned away from the Congress and even arrested and detained in labour camps.

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Well known Mongolian human rights defender, Ms. Sun Yu Kun was taken away by Shanghai police earlier this week, accused of fraud.

Since the arrest, no one has been able to make contact with Sun Yu Kun and her present situation is unknown.

Supporters expressed concern that Sun Yu Kun was framed so that she could be detained and silenced by authorities.

According to reports, Ms. Sun Yu Kun is a retired high school teacher from Oerhtossu, Inner Mongolia, who has appealed on a number of occasions over medical issues.

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In a move sure to anger China, US President George W Bush has agreed to meet the Dalai Lama next week, a day before the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is due to receive the Congressional Medal.

China has already objected to the US honouring a man it regards as a leader of a separatist state.

While the White House is playing down the significance of the Dalai Lama’s latest private meeting with President Bush, the timing is likely to add fuel to the diplomatic flames.

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