Speaking on May 5 at the White House, Laura Bush said, “If we can get some sort of team in there to assess what the other needs are, then I feel very assured that the United States government will follow with [greater assistance].”
She also accused Burmese military rulers of having failed to warn their citizens in time about the approach of a killer cyclone.
Mrs Bush went on to urge Burma's government to ensure its referendum is free, fair and inclusive as the military junta moves forward with the constitutional referendum scheduled for this Saturday, May 10, despite the havoc created by Cyclone Nargis.
“The US first lady’s political demands were inappropriate,” said Aung Naing Oo, an exiled Burmese political analyst. “This is a time when people are dying and suffering to a horrible degree, so if the US really wants to help, it can help without making political demands,” he said.
Aung Naing Oo suggested that the US might get no response from the junta due to Mrs Bush’s demands. “She might get nothing in return,” he said.
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that the international community should focus on humanitarian aid to Burma instead of criticizing the ruling junta's handling of the deadly cyclone.
Full article by Violet Cho
