Ivo Daalder
2008-05-14 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

The military junta in Burma is failing the most basic responsibility of any government to take care of its citizens. ... The junta has denied aid workers entry and has seized the limited United Nations relief supplies that were sent in to help the people of Burma, forcing the U.N. to temporarily suspend relief efforts and further delaying much-needed help. It represents a shameful failure of the government’s foremost responsibility to protect its people. ...

The United States and Britain should join with the French government and introduce a resolution in the U.N. Security Council demanding that the Burmese government accept the offers of international relief supplies and personnel, let them enter the country immediately and without interference, and allow the U.N. to take charge of the humanitarian mission. ...

The resolution should hold open the possibility of additional measures — including air drops of relief supplies — if the government does not comply at once. And the Security Council could commit to return to the matter in 24 hours, assess Burma’s response and consider additional actions. ...

brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0513_burma_daalder.aspx