More Suffering In Myanmar

The satellite pictures of Myanmar following the cyclone tell the story, the farmland in the south has been washed out. Here we are, days later, and still some parts have not even been contacted yet. The news this morning was the estimates for the dead were reaching 6 digits, and that Burmese junta had decided to allow US humanitarian flights.

Thanks to the negotiations in Thailand, the Burmese junta has authorized the US air force to carry out flights into Burma to bring humanitarian aid to the population which was hit by the Nargis cyclone last Saturday: this was announced by General Boonsrang Niumpradit, the head of the military forces in Thailand, at the end of a joint military effort which the Bangkok forces are carrying out with those of the US and called 'Cobra Gold.

But at the last minute they changed their mind.

A PLANNED US aid flight to Burma is not going ahead, the US ambassador to Thailand said today, saying it was not clear if there had been a miscommunication or whether the junta withdrew permission.

There are about 5 people who can make a decision in Myanmar, and to date their decision has been to allow only limited assistance. It is tragic how much sea power is at sea regionally right now not able to support the humanitarian effort. Between the US forces at Cobra Gold, and the French and Indian naval forces at Varuna 08, some of the most desirable naval forces for humanitarian operations are at sea in the Indian Ocean and yet, blocked.

We predicted this would end badly, and all signs are still pointing that direction. When the biggest nation in the region, China, sends cash and that's about it while the second biggest country in the region India, sends a frigate and a PC, thats a tough situation. China and India are trying to do more, and India is having some success, but they are dealing with a government doing everything it can, including letting citizens die, to insure this incident doesn't threaten their power. Every bit of potential outside influence is being managed carefully.

Looks to me like the Burmese junta will only accept token assistance, and many people will die as a result.