By John J. Metzler
UNITED NATIONS ― The incomprehensible incompetence and incredulity of Myanmar's military rulers has been tragically highlighted by the natural disaster which swept into the Southeast Asian land's rice delta leaving a swath of death and destruction.
When Cyclone Nargis came ashore with hurricane-like winds and storm surge waves, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, was caught unwarned and unprepared.
Myanmar's military junta pushing ahead with a phony referendum to validate their near half century rule, put the people in the dark and only then realized that even they could not dictate the weather. Now the reclusive military regime appears to be in a daze as to whether or not they should accept international aid.
After heavy rainfall in the rice rich Irrawaddy River delta, the storm surged inland to Yangon, the former capital city. The results were catastrophic. Cyclone Nargis killed at least 25,000 people and possibly up to 100,000; it displaced more than a million, and now the threat of starvation and disease is rapidly stalking the country.
But when the United Nations and the international community offered a helping hand to the millions of people who need immediate aid, Myanmar's rulers instead focused on blocking the humanitarian assistance and volunteers with deliberately complicated visa entry restrictions and red tape restrictions.
Frustration is growing among U.N. agencies and donors as to how to get aid into the country.
Myanmar is ruled by a secretive socialist regime that has deliberately played a callous game of self-reliance for two generations at the expense of its citizens.
After last September's peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations by Buddhist monks, the junta predictably cracked down on them, knowing fully that it would take criticism from the U.N. Security Council. Tough Security Council censure has been blocked by China, one of Myanmar's oldest and closet allies.
But contrary to the grateful and welcoming response by Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka following the devastating 2004 tsunami disaster, Myanmar instead has only grudgingly allowed aid and assistance.
Myanmar's generals have hermetically closed their country of 50 million to the outside world and would rather micromanage aid through the eye of a needle rather than let it flow in.
The regime fears that contact with the outside world could threaten its control. In fact, not allowing aid into the stricken areas may cause a political backlash.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated, ``Given the magnitude of this disaster, the Secretary General urges the government of Myanmar to respond to the outpouring of international support and solidarity by facilitating the arrival of aid workers, and the clearance of relief supplies in every way possible.'' He added, ``This can significantly aid the government in responding to this tragedy.''
While the Bush administration, Canada and many European governments have been vocal critics of Myanmar's military rulers, there's been an outpouring of humanitarian assistance to help the flood victims.
Early in the crisis, the U.N., relief agencies and foreign governments have pledged $77 million in emergency assistance. The U.S. Navy has offered medical help from ships in the region.
Speaking after an international appeal launch for tropical Nargis victims, John Holmes, the U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, told correspondents, ``It has been a frustrating week.''
But he added that he now hopes the ``rhythm of aid delivery is picking up.'' In the meantime, there's feverish diplomatic activity in the halls of the U.N.
Britain, Myanmar's former colonial ruler, offered $10 million for emergency relief; the European Union, $3 million for fast-track humanitarian aid; the United States, $3 million through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Australia, $2.8 million in emergency aid to the U.N.; Canada, $2 million distributed through the U.N.; and Germany, $775,000.
This is just the beginning of a massive humanitarian surge. Among Asian countries the response is impressive too with Japan offering $10 million, South Korea $2 million in material aid, including tents, medicines and water-purifying chemicals; and China $500,000 in supplies such as tents, blankets and food.
In addition to a contribution of $100,000, neighboring Thailand is deploying the Royal Thai Air Force to ferry supplies to the stricken regions. Taiwan's Buddhist associations will send aid and rescue teams.
``Time is of the essence and we are already reaching storm victims with food. We are mobilizing all possible resources to save lives given the massive disruption in food, water and shelter caused by this storm,'' said Josette Sheeran, executive director of World Food Program (WFP). Many U.N. agencies stand ready to assist immediately.
Still, it is up to the ruling Myanmarese junta to get out of its political daze and allow a fast track to streamline supplies to the flood stricken region.
Ironically both the Myanmarese generals and foreign friends of the country know that the natural tragedy could easily trigger very unpredictable consequences.
But by blocking aid to its own people, the Myanmarese military junta almost guarantees not only misery for its population but its own demise. The clock is ticking.
John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is author of ``Divided Dynamism ― The Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China'' (University Press, 2001). He can be reached at jjmetzler@earthlink.net.