Don’t Waste Time or Money on the Junta

Jeremy Woodrum, co-founder of the US Campaign for Burma, recently spoke with The Irrawaddy about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Burma, where millions of people in the Irrawaddy delta remain at risk in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

Jeremy Woodrum

Question: Do you think the US government is taking appropriate action to help cyclone victims? What else do you want Bush administration to do?

Answer: The United States has done the right thing on Burma—putting ships, helicopters and airplanes with live-saving aid within reach of the country. Than Shwe is guilty of crimes against humanity for denying this life-saving aid to its own people, as he is guilty of crimes against humanity for his war on civilians in eastern Burma. It is time for Than Shwe to be sent to the International Criminal Court, without delay. We want the United States, France, the UK, and others to do more than they have done—they should immediately begin delivering aid into the delta region over the objections of the military regime, as called for by The New York Times today, as well as by 43 members of the US Congress. I fear that we are witnessing international paralysis similar to that which allowed genocide in Rwanda—we are letting diplomatic and legal concerns get in the way of saving lives.

Q: Do you think President Bush is reluctant to respond to the desires of Burmese people, who want the US to act?

A: The US, France and others tried to get authorization from the UN Security Council to deliver aid over the objections of Than Shwe, but China blocked them. Shamelessly, China even blocked the UN Security Council from having a briefing on the issue, and Burma’s neighbors are also turning away from urgent action. This puts the United States in a very difficult position, with Burma’s neighbors, including China, protecting Than Shwe. From my conversations with Burmese people, China is becoming despised inside the country. With China slamming the door on a multilateral United Nations solution, we want the US to do more, and commence the delivery of supplies directly into the delta.

Q: What do you think of the aid conference which will be held in Rangoon on Sunday?

A: I understand that Than Shwe has asked for $11 billion in development money. If money is given in that amount, I guarantee that it will end up with Than Shwe or his cronies’ companies. How can he ask for development funds for himself and his cronies when 75 percent of the cyclone victims still need emergency assistance?

Q: Do you think sanctions and the debate on humanitarian assistance are over?

A: Probably not. I’m saddened that the activism didn’t start sooner. Than Shwe is sitting on at least one billion dollars from the proceeds of Burma’s resource extraction industries, some of which was made possible by multinational corporations. We should have stopped those companies sooner, because they are largely responsible for keeping the regime in power.

Of the billion, Than Shwe has spent only about $5 million on assistance, so instead of shoveling more money into his pockets, donors ought to demand to know where his money is. Than Shwe has made Burma the second most corrupt country globally, and I hope the world has learned by now that dumping money into a corrupt system makes the problem worse, not better.

Q: It’s unlikely that the UN and Asean will be able to convince the junta to freely allow international aid and relief workers to get into the affected areas. Is the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine the only hope?

A: The Responsibility to Protect doctrine is as dead as a doornail.