U S   C A M P A I G N   F O R   B U R M A  Press Release, May 14th, 2008

UN Security Council Efforts on Burma Cyclone “Dead as a Doornail”

Time for Countries to Deliver Aid Directly to Burmese People

Contact: Jeremy Woodrum (202) 246-7924

(Washington, DC) In the wake of Cyclone Nargis, a leading activist group
today confirmed that efforts by the UN Security Council to order
humanitarian aid into the Southeast Asian country of Burma over the
objections of the ruling military regime have reached a dead end.

“Even though Burma’s military regime is denying aid to 2 million people
facing death, efforts at the UN Security Council to invoke the
responsibility to protect doctrine are dead as a doornail, mainly because of
Burma’s ally, China,” said Aung Din, Executive Director of the U.S. Campaign
for Burma.  “It is time for countries to stop waiting for the Council to
act - which it won’t - and commence immediate delivery of aid to thirsty,
starving, and homeless Burmese now facing imminent threat of disease in the
Irrawaddy Delta.”

In the wake of the genocide in Rwanda, the UN Security Council accepted the
‘Responsibility to Protect’ doctrine that allows the Security Council to
authorize actions that infringe on national sovereignty in cases in which
national governments commit crimes against humanity.  Yet, China has led
efforts at the UN to block the Security Council from invoking
‘Responsibility to Protect’ and therefore, the Council will not authorize
countries to deliver aid directly to the Burmese people.  China and others
have now closed the door on action by the UN Security Council.

Burma’s ruling military regime has come under intense international
criticism for refusing to allow sufficient international aid and aid workers
into the country.  The regime has commandeered aid shipments, barred many
foreign aid experts from visiting the worst-hit areas, prevented local
Burmese groups from helping in relief operations, and exploited aid
materials for its own benefit.

At least 100,000 people perished in the Cyclone, an estimated 220,000 are
missing, and 1.5 million face death from disease and hunger.

The United States, France, and Britain have deployed ships off the coast of
Burma.  Neighboring countries are filled with unused, life-saving supplies.
Countries also have deployed helicopters and amphibious vehicles that could
be used to aid survivors.  These vehicles and supplies sit unused as the
death toll mounts in Burma.

More and more voices are speaking out for immediate aid delivery to Burma.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana called for aid to be
delivered by “all means.”  The New York Times today urged the air-dropping
of supplies in Burma if the Burmese regime rejects a call for action by the
UN Security Council - a call that activists today confirmed will never come.

“All the post-Rwanda talk about saving lives through the UN is completely
useless in this situation,” added Aung Din.  “We can’t wait a minute longer
to send in aid - countries that have the capacity should dispatch aid
immediately over the objections of Burma’s military regime.”