BURMA

The death toll from Cyclone Nargis continues to rise and over 1.5 millionpeople are now at risk. We know that diseases, such as cholera, dysenteryand malaria, are spreading. If the world does not intervene soon, the deathtoll could rise by thousands every day.No country could cope with a disaster of this scale alone, yet Burma¹sGenerals are shunning the world¹s offers of help; they¹d rather see theircitizens die than accept help from overseas.If any country can make the generals change their mind, it is China. We havewitnessed the recent terrible loss of life in China following thedevastating earthquake. However, the response to the two natural disasterscould not be more different. While the Chinese government responded quickly,dispatching 50,000 troops, and Premier Wen Jiabao immediately flying to thedisaster area, the Burmese regime continues to block aid efforts.China has a very close relationship with Burma¹s generals, supplying themwith weapons, economic assistance and protecting them at the UN SecurityCouncil. This weekend China blocked moves at the UN for a Security Councilresolution telling the generals to let aid in. Every hour China protectsBurma, more people will die.