Myanmar mess

First US aid shipment has landed, two more scheduled for tomorrow:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9VX5UbHKIARRjTvMzWIuDmob0_A

 

I'm not sure that's such a hot idea.

First off, with minimal people on the ground and so little knowledge as to the full extent of the damage and where the refugees are now, how do we know where to drop the supplies? Also, there's no guarantee the junta won't commandeer that aid, too, and redistribute it to loyal party supporters and/or those voting for the constitutional referendum that would legitimize this tyranny.

 

Burmese people are suffering, tens of thousands are already dead and foreign governments and aid agencies are lining up to help. The junta? They'll "consider" the offer.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/13/cyclonenargis.burma

Dispatches from a British aid worker already on the scene:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/13/burma.diary1

 

Makes you want to scream at the apparent futility of it.

 

Vietnam, South Africa, China and Russia have blood on their hands. They are no worse than the junta in enabling this disaster.

 

How so?

 

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JE14Ae01.html

Great article examining the extent of the damage.