Help with a democratic Burma

I’m going to try and do more later. Write letters, send money, something.

It doesn’t seem like any progress is being made.

Here is some bad news about cyclone refugee camps closing.

And another on the junta making more arrests of NLD members.

This can’t be good.

It seems Burma has gone the way of Afghanistan and it’s not going to help with the international food shortage.

So many people will die if the junta continue to refuse to let foreign aid workers in to help the cyclone victims. It is so sad. There should be no borders when it comes to humanitarian aid.

You can read more here, here and here.

You can also help by donating here and here.

UPDATE: Please ask the government of Myanmar to ensure delivery of international aid in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

Call on the government of Myanmar to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed to the victims of Cyclone Nargis and that they cooperate with international relief efforts.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

I’ve been complaining that I never hear anything from Burma anymore. But I found a great web site Burmanet.com, that collects news stories from around the world and posts them.

From what I’ve read, there have been a few terrorist-type bombings in public places over the past week or so. The Burmese junta are blaming foreign aide organizations that are supporting terrorist acts to destabilize the country. No one has come forward to claim responsibility. Destabilize? They think the country is stable?

I also read that the National League fro Democracy (NLD) is urging the junta to allow its detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi to meet senior party members. She’s the one who has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest. She’s been totally isolated from family, friends and the public.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962, leaving the nation’s economy in a shambles.

Although Aung San Suu Kyi led the NLD to a landslide victory in elections in 1990, the military has never recognized the result.

I continue not to buy anything made in China, a country, I believe, has a huge impact on the lives of the people of Burma.

It seems like an impossible task, but anything is possible. So far, all I’ve done is read newpaper reports and get upset – but I know that’s not enough.

It seems so hopeless, but trying is better than not trying. One thing we can all do is NOT TRAVEL to Burma. Don’t support the cruel military junta that controls Burma by spending any money in Burma.

I have not heard any news since the middle of November. I don’t know if it’s a lack of US media interest or an effective blackout from the Burmese junta. Either way, I know nothing.

I have joined the related groups on Facebook, (eg ‘Support the Monks’ protest in Burma’ which has links to other related groups and websites), added a Burma list of films in Youtube, and signed up to Avaaz.org for emails.

Yesterday, on BBC World News America, it was reported that detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was aloowed to meet with her allies in the democratic movement. This is major progress for someone who has been under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

I have not been comfortable with what feels like a total media blackout since 20,000 monks lead protests several weeks ago that ended in terrible violence by the junta forces against the Burmese people. So I hope this is a good sign and not just a cover up.