Recent events have focused international attention on Myanmar. From 1962, this country has been living under the yoke of a military dictatorship, in conditions of almost complete cultural isolation. Only exceptional events succeed in breaking through the curtain of silence, reminding the world of the Burman population's difficult conditions of life. An example was the arrest of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi following the victory of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 1989 elections (which was not accepted by the military government). The life of Aung San Suu Kyi catalyzed world attention: she was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, was arrested again in 2000, yet again in 2003, and is now under a state of house arrest. Other events include the violent repression of the 1998 insurrection, and, today, the military suppression of the marches by Buddhist monks, who took to the streets in September 2007 to protest against the rise in prices. The country previously known as Burma is backward and very poor, but its natural gas reserves comprise 1.4% of total global reserves. But there are virtually no infrastructure and capital to exploit this natural wealth. This condition, and the profits that can be generated by hydrocarbon fuels, have made the neighbouring countries, China, India and Thailand, particularly tolerant of the military government. The EU sanctions, decided on 15 October 2007, include a veto on the import and export of the precious stones, metals and timber produced in Burma, but they do not affect oil and gas. Meanwhile, the economic situation is worsening rapidly: tourism has been hard hit, and the increase in fuel prices decided in August has made the costs of public transport and primary necessities absolutely prohibitive. According to a UN study, the Burman people spend 70% of what they earn on food. Meat is no longer available, and most Burmans have to follow a vegetarian diet because vegetables are cheaper. The poorest people are not even able to purchase rice, and often, in the factories, employees have to provide a minimum of sustenance for their employees, with a bowl of rice a day.