Hard times - Burma/Myanmar

Japan Slashes Aid to Burma After Crackdown
By Naomi Martig Hong Kong16 October 2007

Japan has canceled almost $5 million in aid to Burma, in its first action against the military government since security forces cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators in Rangoon and killed a Japanese journalist. Naomi Martig reports from VOA's Asia News Center in Hong Kong.

Photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma showing Japanese journalist as he lays in the street after being shot in Rangoon, 27 Sep 2007

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Nobutaka Machimura, says Japan has decided to withhold a $4.7 million grant for the construction of a Japan-Burma community exchange center.
Machimura says Japan is urging Burma's military government to listen to the international community and work toward democracy. Japan is one of Burma's largest aid donors.
When security forces in Rangoon fired into crowds of peaceful protesters in late September, at least 10 people were killed, including Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai.
Burma has said Nagai's death was accidental and that he was hit by a stray bullet. Video footage of Nagai's death appears to show a soldier shooting him at close range. Japanese authorities have demanded an investigation of the incident.

This is just one of the stories circulating at the net. The reason I posted this, is because many other countries as Norway has the same kind of problem. Usually, in recent years, the Norwegian government have sent about 15 mill. NOK (2768702.59 USD). The question is: Should we stop it? Some of the money will go to helping people and saving lives, but what if the money that somehow ends up with the dictator kill even more?

And tourism. Does tourism to Burma support the dictator, or..? Here is an answer: Burma's population has suffered alone for 20 years without knowing whether there were anyone who knew outside. I guess there is only one thing worse than being abused. - Knowing that no one knows. Therefore, people who want to go somewhere, now is the time! The country is so full of traditions, culture and pure beauty.
Another reason to really go...

- Visitors are like a fresh breeze in a closed, damp room.
- For us, you are a taste of freedom.

(said by Ma, a student who means every tourist has a errand there)

- Up close, its not the Burmese temples shining, but the sweat of millions of innocent people, living in a condition of silent desperation...

I hope you will think of this, next time you want to travel completely elsewhere...

- and of course, there is no oil there, so don't think USA will help out, though that is probably for the best, regarding earlier politics, perhaps it's time to figure out a new way... *hint, hint*

I just hope someone can make a huge scene and arrangemet, so that we can send money to the suffering people( I don't know/have money to do something this huge, I suppose..?)...