May 31 2008
US Accuses Myanmar – What’s That About People in Glass Houses?
The current statement by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates that the way in which the Myanmar officials handled the aid sent by other parts of the world has significantly increased the death toll of the people in the affected areas is somewhat ironic. Whilst on the face of it, there’s absolutely nothing out of place with what Mr Gates is saying. He’s absolutely right. The Myanmar government has acted in an irresponsible manner in an attempt to maintain its modesty. If a country has nothing to hide, then it won’t mind anyone coming in to take a peak. If a country has something to hide however, one can understand it wanting to keep the outside world away. In this instance, keeping everyone away has meant they are now responsible for the deaths of many of their people. So yes, the accusation is in my opinion correct.
However the fact that this particular condemnation has come from a US spokesman is nothing short of ironic. You’ve heard the saying “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” right? I have two words to say: HURRICANE KATRINA! The Government agencies who ought to have been there took days to reach places within their own country. Aid sent from other countries was held up. People, including children, were dying, starving, injured, attacked and sick and even basic supplies of first aid equipment and drinking water couldn’t be sent in. This in the United States of America, the leader of the Western World. This wasn’t a willful act of neglect such as that which is happening in Myanmar, now was it a case of not wanting the world to see what was really happening – in fact I think the rest of the world had more idea of what was happening in New Orleans than the White House did courtesy of such reporters as CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Mr Gates needs to remember the beauractic red tape responsible for the atrocities and horror faced by the people of New Orleans and other affected areas when he gives such great sound bites as: “The US has the resources and desire to deal with all parts of the world at the same time.” Katrina showed that the resources and desire in the world are inadequate if your own government isn’t capable of making the right response immediately when a crisis occurs.
Whilst the reasons behind the people not receiving help immediately following these natural disasters were different in both countries, the fact is that in both situations, the respective Governments were responsible for the ultimate outcome as regards un-necessary human suffering.
