Robert Gates, the US Defense Secretary, will soon decide whether or not to withdrawal Navy ships sitting in the coast of Myanmar because of the government’s outright refusal to allow any outside help for survivors of the cyclone that struck the country. Gates is planning on making this decision because “it’s becoming pretty clear the regime is not going to let us help.” Additionally, when questioned whether what the Myanmar government is doing is genocide, Gates said “I tend to see genocide more as a purposeful elimination of people, this is more akin, in my view, to criminal neglect.” Of course, that probably has to do with the US’s insistence not to use the “g” word *cough*Rwanda*cough*Somalia*.

For the record, the US government, as well as other nations, has tried repeatedly to convince the Myanmar government to allow it to help but its efforts are in vain as Myanmar won’t even discuss the matter at this point. Of course, an outright invasion of the country in order to provide aid is possible but the international community does not support it because it would mean violating the nation’s sovereignty. As a result, Gate’s is expected to make a final decision within the next few days, handing a death sentence to all those needing help. In an effort to let the Myanmar government change its mind, Navy ships will pull out slowly enough to let them quickly turn back if Myanmar changes its mind.

Honestly, it seems the US government gave the Myanmar government plenty of time to change its mind and at this point it doesn’t seem like anything the US does will make it change. Therefore, a quick withdrawal from the coast makes more sense since troops will no longer be needlessly sitting there. At least the US has covered its bases since people cannot claim it refused to help. Too bad the people in Myanmar are suffering because of the nation’s inability to suck it up and accept help.

[Source]

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