<i>US aid to Myanmar</i>
Photo: AFP
A front-page news report on the subject was published in a local English daily. It rightly reflected the mistrust of Myanmar authorities on the US proposal to use Navy and Air Force for relief operation. To some extent it is justified, given the US tendency to get control of energy resources overseas by means fair or foul. Very naturally, given Myanmar's vast untapped mineral, oil and fuel gas resources, the Junta feels wary of US intent. The US, earlier had spared no excuses, no lies to ram its way to war in Iraq, caring little for the pious intentions of the UN, and commandeer its energy resources, now in the hands of submissive US formed Iraqi government! Jordanian and Saudi energy resources have been pocketed much earlier by pampering to the whims and desires of the rulers, who are nothing better than dynastic landowners (presumably in perpetuity?) with all authority and little responsibility. Having lost control over Iran's energy resources after the eviction of its landowner (The Shah of Iran); they are leaving no stones unturned to go after Iran, at the drop of a hat! If not directly, they are inciting Israel to do the job on a cost plus basis! The main objective is to control its energy resources, and nothing else since Iraq miserably failed to do it for them earlier. With no such pliable neighbour for the US on Myanmar's borders, they wanted to open the way through US Naval and Air Force presence. Small wonder, the Junta is jittery! If the US intentions were really humanitarian and sincere, why cannot they channel it through the UN? As reported, the UN has managed to collect only US$88.5 million so far. Having failed in its decade long Asian misadventures, starting from the Chinese Civil War, then Korea and Vietnam, they now have Myanmar in their cross hair!
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