Editorial Junta Inaction Exacerbates Human Tragedy
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday May 10, 2008
THE ambivalent attitude of Burma's ruling junta to the plight of its people will stand as one of the starkest examples of an evil perpetrated by a government.
It is difficult to say, given the control of information in Burma, how many people have died from Cyclone Nargis.Some reports put the toll as high as 100,000 people. Suffice to say, it is many tens of thousands of Burmese. However, whatever the toll is now it will certainly increase by thousands unless relief and health workers are allowed into the country to help survivors at risk of disease and hunger.Burma's generals say they will not allow foreign aid workers into the country and will deliver support themselves. But it is an overwhelming task, of a magnitude larger than when the Asian tsunami struck the coastline.As diplomats attempt to cajole Burma into accepting international aid, the Burmese people suffer - and even the United Nations believes the junta's reluctance to co-operate is an unprecedented situation.We lament this human tragedy. It shows why it is important that those who enjoy a free society should encourage the spread of democracy elsewhere.We can also play a practical role in helping Burma recover. Aid organisations have set up appeals, which can be drawn upon as agencies are able to mobilise relief efforts.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury