select1 /AB99-3.......

[tzang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

RELAYED BY Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe:

No.3/99
BURMA: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND THE POLITICS OF HUMANITARIAN AID 

   U.S.congressman, Tony Hall (Ohio), has appealed this week for 
large-scale humanitarian aid to Burma, rejecting arguments that such 
assistance would merely sustain that country's harsh military regime. 
"Humanitarian concerns are taking a back seat in Burma. But I've always 
believed that human concerns and human rights go together," Tony Hall 
told reporters in Bangkok.
   Without doubt, all friends of Burma and humanists should be concerned 
with meeting the impending humanitarian crisis in Burma. Congressman Hall 
is only repeating what has for long been the concern of Burmese leaders, 
including Daw Aung San Suukyi. Where she and the people differ from 
Congressman Hall is the notion he expressed that that humanitarian needs 
has taken a back seat to human rights concern. Both are inextricably 

linked. Repressive, oppressive, and unaccountable governance contributes 
to humanitarian crises.   
   The NLD and Daw Aung San Suukyi has made efforts to distribute rice, 
medicine, vitamins, and idiodine salt to the needy in Rangoon. In 
response, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has done its 
best to disrupt the NLD's humanitarian efforts. 
   It is reported that at one time, many of the 2000 poor people from the 
outskirt of Rangoon who came to get rice were arrested on their way to 
and from the NLD's rice distribution point and detained at a temporary 
holding camp. It has also been reported that SPCD authorities blocked 
rice trucks on their way to Daw Aung San Suukyi's home to prevent her and 
the NLD from distributing rice to the poor and the needy. 
   The reports coming out of Rangoon clearly refute Congressman Hall's 
argument that humanitarian aid must come before human rights rights. 
SPDC's obstruction of relief efforts by Daw Aung San Suukyi and the NLD 
makes it very obvious that human rights and humanitarian aid, or response 
to humanitarian, crisis cannot be separated. There must exist human 
rights for humanitarian aid to be effective, and get through to the ones 
in real need. Only a good government that is accountanle to the ruled 
will ensure this. 
   It is equally clear that if the people do not have the right to live 
as and act like human beings by their rulers, whatever humanitarian aid 
that is provided will be exploited by those who hold power at gunpoint 
and who are not accountable in any way to the ruled (and moreover do not 
wish to be accountable). 
   More importantly, perhaps Congressman Hall should ask why is there a 
looming humanitarian crisis in Burma? Does he know, or does he not care? 
   Burma is a rich country. Its land is fertile and its people are 
hardworking, resourceful, intelligent,....there is no reason for such a 
country to be faced with an impending humanitarian crisis. 

ANALYTICA BIRMANIE 99
Jan.23, 1999. 
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