Both Russia and China have long been friendly with the junta because of the mutual benefits. Russia has committed to build up Burma's defence system with fighter planes and technological training worth several hundred million dollars. China has been the main supporter of the junta in providing food, medicines and a wide range of weapons. Of course, both countries' veto of the Burma resolution only adds to their long list of vetoes in past years. The more the two countries exercised their veto power, the more they displayed how the Security Council's members behave irresponsibly on issues affecting regional and international peace and security.

Interestingly, it was the vote of non-permanent council member South Africa that shattered the international solidarity and goodwill. Nobody in their right mind would ever have thought that South Africa would offer strong support to the Burmese junta. South Africa's past struggle to attain democracy and victory over apartheid would not have been possible without the goodwill of the international community. It is hard to understand why it should now protect the oppressive regime in Burma. Pretoria's action is a shame and must be deplored. World statesmen like former president Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa must be feeling ashamed of their country's diplomatic conduct. It is sad that quite frequently in international politics undemocratic regimes are backed by democratic countries that perceive their own interests as supreme. They do not seem to care a hoot about the oppression occurring in other countries.

The Security Council took up the Burmese political situation in December 2005, since when it has been debating the issue and hearing briefings by senior UN officials without passing any resolution. In the one year since, the situation in Burma has remained unchanged. The US decided to introduce a resolution in the council last year that called on Burma to release all political prisoners and promote national reconciliation. Prior to the council's vote, the Burmese junta released a number of high-profile political prisoners to undermine the international effort and ongoing moves in the council last week. Apparently Rangoon won with a knockout punch at the council's vote on Friday. Indonesia, a leading Asean member that only just joined the council this month, decided to abstain. It is also extremely sad that a young and mushrooming democracy, the world's third largest, would rather take the easy way out. In past years Asean has looked to Jakarta to provide leadership on regional issues, especially Burma.

When the Philippines was a member of the Security Council last year, Manila showed that Asean would no longer fight for a rogue state, even if it was a member of the family. Manila was praised because it allowed the council to debate the situation in Burma unopposed. Jakarta's abstention this time has sent the wrong signal to Burma as well as to other Asean members.

Jakarta's action has indeed put restraint on the discussion on Burma at the ongoing Asean leaders' summit in Cebu. Obviously the Asean leaders, despite their rhetoric, are still hoping that the junta leaders will do the right thing from now on to save the grouping from disgrace, such as releasing all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. With Asean commemorating its 40th anniversary this year, the grouping does not want to increase squabbling among members by highlighting the Burma issue; it wants instead to promote the theme of solidarity and dynamism.

Of course, the international community will now have to work harder to make the junta leaders fulfil their responsibilities. Only genuine political reform and national reconciliation can save Burma and its people.