It is now over a week since the Cyclone hit Burma, and if the news reports are at all accurate, Burma's leadership would rather their people die than have them helped by Westerners. This is, of course, no surprise.
I heard on Sky News that the Thai foreign minister is blaming President Bush for making the Burmese generals defensive. Well, on one level I can accept that may be the case, but that is still no excuse. Like Zimbabwe, the general's oppresive regime is facilitated by its neighbours, including Thailand. Of course, another of those neighbours is China. And the day the Chinese leaders actually care for human life will be the day hell freezes over and pigs begin to fly. Of course, it is easy to criticise America. But America is the one offering aid and expertise in numbers that no one else can match.
Indonesia was initially reluctant following the Boxing Day Tsunami a few years ago. But they relented, to the great benefit of their people. That is the lesson the Burmese leaders need to heed.
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