Daphne Wolf: Small and local aid agencies are best equipped to help the victims of cyclone Nargis because they are already operating on the ground. Donations to these agencies are more effective since big aid organizations are still struggling to access the affected areas.
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It’s been almost a year since Burmese people were violently crushed as they publicly demanded freedom and the international community has still not achieved anything. ++ As Than Shwe intensifies the crackdown, the world looks towards Ban Ki-moon for leadership in dealing with the dictator but UN mission in Burma has been fruitless. ++ Flowery speeches about democracy aren’t enough –
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“Many of the world’s necessary interventions in the decade before the invasion - in places like Haiti and the Balkans - would seem impossible in today’s climate.” ++ In the wake of the Burmese cyclone, the strength of totalitarian governments and the unwillingness of others to pressure them have all become troublingly apparent. ++ US involvement in Iraq has only accelerated this
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Responsibility and emergency to act in Burma cannot be doubted but UN legitimacy is lacking and R2P stands for “responsibility to protect,” not “right to invade.” ++ Any action requires “a careful, informed calculation of the likely consequences.” ++ Now the junta has acquiesced to limited aid “under an Asian umbrella,” the West should drop plans for air and sea bridges that could entail the
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Without a coordinated international response to the humanitarian crisis in Burma, the death toll could expand exponentially. ++ French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner controversially suggested that given the responsibility to protect principle, the UN Security Council should authorize “coercive intervention” for the delivery of aid supplies. ++ This concept deserves consideration
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Despite the determination of Burma’s military rulers to prevent foreign interference in fear of losing its grip on power, the international community has a moral obligation to deliver aid to cyclone-stricken civilians by all means necessary. ++ Countries such as Thailand, China and Indonesia, which enjoy closer relations with Burma, could act as proxies to deliver Western aid. ++ If this fails, a
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Burma’s despots are politicizing the crisis, blocking foreign relief operations, and preventing the needy from receiving food and aid. ++ 400,000 may have died and two million may now face the threats of malnutrition and disease. ++ Rather than apply sanctions or evict Burma from the UN, the international community should try to convince China, India and Thailand to remind the generals of
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The reluctance of Burma’s military rulers to help their own people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis is criminal. ++ The international community should use a measured approach in encouraging Burma to accept aid and de-prioritize the scheduled constitutional referendum. ++ Greater involvement should be elicited from regional actors such as China and Thailand. ++ Pressuring too hard will only be
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