Myanmar accepts U.S. aid
The news this morning did not start out promising. U.N. officials were apparently “furious” that Myanmar officials refused to allow the United Nations to distribute 38,000 tons of food, enough to feed 95,000 people. Myanmar’s isolationist military government seized the shipment, saying it wanted to distribute the aid. Some suspected under government control, the supplies would reach the elite first. The U.N. said it must distribute the aid. And with that, in the midst of a calamitous humanitarian crisis, a stalemate emerged.
If Myanmar’s government would not accept U.N. assistance, it seemed even less likely it would accept any part of the U.S. outreach, which included helicopters, supplies and at least 1,400 Marines. The government of Myanmar is unapologetically distrustful of foreign governments.
But just as suddenly the tone changed again. Within minutes, the U.N. said it would resume its flights, despite the seizure of its aid. And then local agencies began reporting that Myanmar’s government said it would accept some U.S. aide. And finally, the White House announced Myanmar approved a U.S. C-130 aircraft carrying relief supplies to land in the country on Monday.
In announcing the development, the Pentagon was quick to say that it would keep its visit to Myanmar brief (The government of Myanmar has not yet approved visas yet for the U.S. relief workers.) And no one had any illusions about how much one plane of aide could do for a nation with at least 100,000 dead and 1.5 million injured and in need of help. But one Pentagon official said “one plane is better than none.”
But it was welcome news here. The U.S. military prides itself on being the largest humanitarian relief organization in the world. And many were frustrated that the U.S. could not do what it does best – answer the world call for help during a crisis. One plane is not much, but it’s a start.
I am not satisfied with the Myanmar rulers! Their right to sovereignty is not more important that the moral obligation of then world to help! The food needs to be dropped from helicopters immediately! This obligation is moral, international, and universal. The UN should give the OK for the U.S and French armies' humanitarian efforts to proceed! The UN should not wait a single minute when lives of millions are at terrible risk! Both armies should logistically support and protect each other in this effort!
Posted by: Bohdan Szejner, Rome, Italy | May 11, 2008 at 06:18 AM
You can't throw money at a problem. I helped out in a flood in Southern Ohio and saw a hierarchy of haves vs. have nots at work. I was told not to give a blanket donated from outside the community, to some poor person by some rich hillbilly, because the poor person who had burns over his whole body lost his home in a previous fire, not the current flood of the landlord housing down near the river. Warehouses full of stuff never made it into the hands of the poor.
Posted by: Chales Tarr | May 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
You mean there's OIL and NATURAL GAS in Myanmar? I thought the imperialists were out to help the poor cyclone victims. I'm SHOCKED! (not).
http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/Perspective/persp1997/11-97/oil11-97.htm
Posted by: John Douglas | May 12, 2008 at 12:36 PM
U.S. and French "humanitarian" invasion of Myanmar under the cover of helping the cyclonE victioms.
Liberal idiots: Click here!
http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/Perspective/persp1997/11-97/oil11-97.htm
Posted by: John Douglas | May 12, 2008 at 12:39 PM
The U.N. is a den of THIEVES, IMPERIALISTS, and IMPERIALIST WANNABEES.
Posted by: John Douglas | May 12, 2008 at 12:41 PM
We never got Katrina right, so why are we in Myanmar.
Posted by: ward | May 12, 2008 at 02:55 PM