Myanmar / TC NARGIS (TC 01B) Update: 84,500 dead

[loro-rojo]

Burma has agreed to receive US aid, but it will not arrive until Monday. People there dont have enough to live through the night, how do you expect them to make it until Monday?!

Why doesn't the UN step in and do something about this? Why do we have to wait until Burma gives the world authorization to help these people? I'm possitive that there couldn't have been something more important for them to discuss today than this. Pass a resolution allowing international aid, and at the same time warning Burma of the consequences of militarily engaging any of these aid suppliers.

There is no such thing as a standing UN military. It requires volunteers.

I ment to say why don't UN members do something...

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Something tells me we will never have a real clue on how many died from this cyclone. I would guest a few hundred thousand based on those satellite pics posted earlier. The question is why should we go to war, with a country that has never did anything to us in the first place? Iraq did do something to us with breaking 1441, and god knows how many others, and shooting at our planes for 12 years. It was also a cessfire that Saddam broke for crying out load. What has the Junta done to us to make it our job to feed their people? Why should we spread our army, navy and airforce out more. Why can't other nations do it for once. I'm sick of defending what we have already done, and don't want to do more of it.

How about China go into Burma, if they want to take the super power title. Not one American should have to fight the Junta and die. Not in our national interest, unlike Al quida and Saddam was.

Why should America do everything?

Very sorry if this was wrong. If so please remove it.

[HURAKAN]

Matt, you're crossing to politics and this is not allowed. Nonetheless, what we're talking here is because of humanitarian reasons. It's true the US shouldn't do everything, and that's why we have a group of countries called the UN.

If we have the power to save people, we must take action before it's too late.

The Myanmar junta won't shoot any helicopter or airplane because if they do so, that would be considered an act of war under these circumstances. I really don't think the junta wants war.

[HurricaneRobert]

Realistically, the only member with the ability to mobilize quickly enough is the US. We can (and have in the past) organize a coalition to go in and enforce UN resolutions. Obviously we've had mixed results (Somalia was a disaster while the first Gulf war was a success). I don't see the President and Congress doing anything at this point. The EU just isn't large enough, and I would not trust China's concern over human rights. (They are dealing with governments in the Junta's league, such as North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.)

(A couple of posts showed up as I was typing this. It's really just an answer to some questions. No opinion, except for the last line.)

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Realistically, the only member with the ability to mobilize quickly enough is the US. We can (and have in the past) organize a coalition to go in and enforce UN resolutions. Obviously we've had mixed results (Somalia was a disaster while the first Gulf war was a success). I don't see the President and Congress doing anything at this point. The EU just isn't large enough, and I would not trust China's concern over human rights. (They are dealing with governments in the Junta's league, such as North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.)

(A couple of posts showed up as I was typing this. It's really just an answer to some questions. No opinion, except for the last line.)

Do we have enough of a Army free to do it in the first place? That is the question. I'm sorry if I sounded mean, but other nations need to help us.

[HURAKAN]

And that must be the plan. We can't handle two wars and also gather military men to help the people in Myanmar.

Like I said before, humans always act as one in tragedies.

[Chacor]

The Myanmar junta won't shoot any helicopter or airplane because if they do so, that would be considered an act of war under these circumstances. I really don't think the junta wants war.

Wrong. Violating Burma's sovereignty, unfortunately, is in itself an act of war and Burma will no doubt retaliate in some way.

[HurricaneRobert]

Wrong. Violating Burma's sovereignty, unfortunately, is in itself an act of war and Burma will no doubt retaliate in some way.

After WWII, most nations realized they have a stake in stopping the rise of fascism and authoritarianism. That is precisely why the United Nations was created. The government in Burma is completely illegitimate and has been since at least the 1990 elections. The UN could resolve to go in for that reason alone. Yes it will be a war, but the whole world will be against the Junta.

[Derek Ortt]

the people of Myanmar do not need a war right now. A full scale invasion could be just as deadly as the cyclone

[Chacor]

Wrong. Violating Burma's sovereignty, unfortunately, is in itself an act of war and Burma will no doubt retaliate in some way.

After WWII, most nations realized they have a stake in stopping the rise of fascism and authoritarianism. That is precisely why the United Nations was created. The government in Burma is completely illegitimate and has been since at least the 1990 elections. The UN could resolve to go in for that reason alone. Yes it will be a war, but the whole world will be against the Junta.

You obviously aren't very familiar with this area. China, Russia, India and the ASEAN nations will refuse to take part. The "whole world" would not be against the junta.

The UN recognises the current military government, as they call the country Myanmar and accept the junta's UN envoy.

the people of Myanmar do not need a war right now. A full scale invasion could be just as deadly as the cyclone

There is almost no doubt that this is 100% spot on.

[HurricaneRobert]

You obviously aren't very familiar with this area. China, Russia, India and the ASEAN nations will refuse to take part. The "whole world" would not be against the junta.

The US will not do it either, but no one asked about who agrees currently in a hypothetical situation. It is NOT without precedent, but reluctance to act isn't either.

the people of Myanmar do not need a war right now. A full scale invasion could be just as deadly as the cyclone

That depends on how long people can wait without food and water. It could be days or it could be weeks.

[Ptarmigan]

One man lost 28 of his relatives. Losing one is bad enough. 28 is beyond description. Really puts a human face on this Myanmar tragedy.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_ ... d_families

[Hello32020]

*self-censored for politics*

Hopefully the aid will be let in soon.

[Ptarmigan]

I posted in Talkin' Tropics. A gut wrenching tale. One man lost 28 of his relatives. Losing one is bad enough. 28 is beyond description. Really puts a human face on this Myanmar tragedy.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_ ... d_families

[Ptarmigan]

The military junta in Myanmar is really on thin ice. I think this could be their downfall.

[HurricaneBill]

Unfortunately, I think the only ones who could take action against the junta or overthrow them are the Burmese themselves.

[Chacor]

Can this thread be merged with the one already in active storms, please?

[Sanibel]

Which is why the US could air drop biscuits, decontamination pills and stove pellets. If Burma protests we could say "sue us".

[Chacor]

Air dropping anything is risking the life of the pilots. Make no mistake, they will shoot planes down.

[Sanibel]

I don't mean to escalate this in the wrong direction, but I would guess the worst coast areas have no radar. What exactly would they shoot them down with?