The Bangkok Post reports:
Official state media said on Tuesday the death toll from Saturday's Cyclone Nargis now stands at 22,000 - with another 41,000 missing.
The BBC, quoting state media reports, said international aid agencies are pushing to launch a massive operation in the worst-affected areas of the country.
Hundreds of thousands of people are said to be without clean water and shelter, with some areas still cut off.
Official state media said on Tuesday the death toll from Saturday's Cyclone Nargis now stands at 22,000 - with another 41,000 missing.
The BBC, quoting state media reports, said international aid agencies are pushing to launch a massive operation in the worst-affected areas of the country.
Hundreds of thousands of people are said to be without clean water and shelter, with some areas still cut off.
BP: It was 351 then 4,000, then 10,000. Now, even state media are reporting 22,000 dead and 41,000 missing. By the time this is all over, a deathtoll of over 100,000 is not improbable. The Burmese government can't handle the situation on their own. This requires tsunami-like assistance and the most likely state actor capable of providing this would be the US military. Given Burmese government paranoia and propaganda against the US and other "evil" western powers, will they accept international aid? What would that signal to the local population? Wouldn't it just confirm how incapable the government is if you see hundreds of white faces distributing the aid or aid labeled US military/government?
What kind of aid and logistics assistance will the Thai, Chinese and Indian governments provide? Will these countries be looking at, or at least in diplomatic cables point out to the government the natural resource benefits that might come with assistance?
btw, sorry if anyone finds looking at the political questions crass, but this is a political blog and so I examine political questions. Yes, my sympathies are with the victims.
btw, I read earlier today, the EU is donating 2 million Euros. The Thai government had upped their financial assistance to USD 100,000 although this was before the current numbers were released.
Much more later.
BP: Jotman and Rule of Lords both have excellent coverage with links to many others and lots of commentary.
The first news about the international aid tell a lot :
"Thailand and China each flew a military plane filled with aid to Burma, but the material was simply dropped aet the airport."
I believe this quote (Bangkok Post) should answer your question about those 2 countries.
I will try to summarize : they don't give a rat shit. They send an airplane and a few hundreds of thousands of USD for the "face" and that's all.
As for the... other countries, again another quote should be enough :
"Efforts to send urgently needed aid teams into the disaster-torn country were being hampered as the regime stalled over granting visas, the UN said in Geneva on Tuesday."
Voila. The burmese junta is criminal and incompetent.
Why and how can you think that it will change ?
RIP BURMA PEOPLE.
And shame on China and on Thailand to support -proactively, look at the King's comments last week- the junta.
So, ThaiCrisis, the Thai government CAN do more. But let me ask what Western governments have done.
They flew in a plane-load of supplies with the intention that the Burmese should be able to distribute it on their own. I have a feeling they're damned if they do, damned if they don't.
And even if the Thai government did send in aid workers, guess what, the junta will try to kick them out.
Sure, the thai doctors are bared from getting visa too.
But at least, the US, the UK and other western countries do not support the regime.
As for Thailand, and China of course, you should review the news for an update : their support is active.
Thailand is the main trade partner of Burma (import of natural gas, and I don t even speak about illegal traffic of wood, gems etc.)
Thailand, Thaksin gvt, the Junta last since 2006, then the Samak gvt have supported Burma.
For Samak killing the monks like rat was "normal" and the dictators are "good buddhists". He cooked a diner for his friend the burmese "general" PM last week. And I dont even speak about the outrageous comments -apparently- made last week in a certain palace.
So ?
But anyway, it useless to talk. You are probably thai, and you simply do not stand critics. Like all ASEAN you must think that this is "internal problems", that the "non intervention policy" is the best solution.
No, thaicrisis, I am simply sick of Western talk, condemnations, and its holier-than-thou rhetoric.
For your information, the West does not really care either. Theirs is as much a political game as is Thailand's. The West needs to placate public opinion while the Thais need to placate their hunger of natural gas. Same with the Chinese and Indians. Name a country who actually cares.
I can handle criticism, just not the bitter type that attempts to reach quick conclusions about other countries especially since the West has so far done nothing but pledge. You criticized 2 countries for dropping aid. That is ridiculous. It would be fair if you criticized them for their support of the regime, but let's face it, that was all muddled in an emotional stew where you'd rather diss entire countries. More could be done, but you didn't even suggest anything constructive.
In any case, do continue ranting and raging and assuming I'm Thai or ASEAN. Have a nice, angst day.