The UN has decided to stop sending aid for the momnent because the Myanmar military dictatoriship has seized two massive shipments of food aid and is holding them, and will probably be using them to feed themselves and their soldiers rather than the people who need it. This is the real reason that Bush isn’t willing to send aid without having our own people on the ground - and many other aid agencies are witholding money as well until they are allowed into the country because they know that aid that is just sent in without someone to monitor it is not going to make it to those in need. Doctors Without Borders, last I checked, was working through intermediaries because they can’t get visas to enter the country - the government won’t let anyone in.

As for the warship issue - the US military, and the Navy in particular, is the largest and most capable aid organization in the world. Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh, all nations with shaky relationships with the US welcomed the military because we come equipped with portable water purifying equipment, heilcopters and lots of vital equipment. Those warships in the Gulf of Thailand were loaded out with humanitarian goods and were getting ready to conduct a humanitarian relief exercise…they have the stuff Myanmar needs now, but if we can’t get permission to go in, then it will sit off the coast doing no good while more people die. Instead of writing your Congressmen and the White House, write to the Burmese/Myanmar Embassy and tell them to take care of their people.

I’m sure your cousin is doing wonderful things over there, and I hope that she gets out safely