Catastrophic cruelty in Burma

Natural disasters are the truest test of a government's ability to safeguard its citizens. The generals who renamed Burma Myanmar not only failed to respond to the pre-announced danger posed by the advancing Cyclone Nargis, they have since acted with cruel disregard for human lives by placing obstacles in the way of a massive international relief effort.

It is no wonder that the estimated death toll has risen to over 100,000, with at least a million people rendered homeless, while the brutal military dictators have dragged their feet by holding up visas for foreign relief teams.

It was particularly shocking that the generals initially refused aid from the United States, which has the best military resources in the world to swiftly aid people trapped in a catastrophe. Reluctantly, officials eventually agreed to allow one U.S. flight into Myanmar.

It is not surprising that the government that obliterated democracy does not want foreign observers given its appalling record for killing and imprisoning the people of Burma.

Initially the military would not even permit the U.N. to distribute supplies that were only grudgingly allowed into the ravaged country.

Regardless of the cruel intransigence of the rulers of Myanmar, the focus must remain on overcoming their resistance in order to save the lives of stranded people and prevent disease from taking more lives. The Times newspaper in Britain quoted Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision, who is in Burma, warning, "We know that once an epidemic starts it is extremely difficult to stop and becomes of apocalyptic proportions."

Regardless of the opposition of the military government, international aid organizations must do everything possible to get food, medicines and shelter to the dispossessed.

However, when some semblance of normality returns to Burma, international efforts must redouble to save the Burmese people. The military's lack of concern for the nation's citizens was compounded by a callous decision to proceed with a referendum that has been rigged to create the illusion that the widely detested military government has some popular support.

The failure of the military leaders to prepare for the predictable devastation the cyclone would leave in its wake and the official refusal or reluctance to welcome international aid have revealed their ultimate iniquity to the world.