What will it take for the world to help the people of Burma from the army junta?

Monks, Civilians and Pro-Democracy activists being beaten, tortured and murdered? Nope
Genocide of ethinic tribes? Nope
Massive humanitarian disaster and a cruel ilegal government who does nothing for the survivors?

zaw aung, london, united kingdom

Burma has the largest natural gas reserves in Southeast Asia and is suspected to have immense amounts of offshore oil that are now being explored. Putting the lack of intervention solely down to a lack of oil in Burma highlights the ignorance with which this issue is being argued.

Philip, San Francisco, USA

Are the UN not forcing the Burmese government to allow international aid because they want to keep an obviously corrupt government on side?! In situations such as these the UN should have the power to act without any governments permmission, if it is for the greater good of the people in need.

Andy, Manchester, England

The UN has the possibility, on humanitarian grounds, to enter Burma and distribute aid - the fact that the UN has not taken up this option just shows what an impotent and corrupt organisation the UN is. There is more of a 'kickback' ($,£) helping China.

Hugh, Buckfastleigh, England

Sarah please remember what happened the last time anybody went against "world opinion." Perhaps you don't know that this is another disaster backed by China, as it backs the gross human violations in Darfur, Tibet, North Korea and Zimbabwe.

Glen, Johannesburg,

Why this rattling when it looks as if the WEST does not really wants to help the Burmese. Surely there is a way if there is a mind. End of the rattle, they can bring back all the aid stuffs and accuse the Juntas for its intransigence. Hapless Burmese – better for them to be on their own feet.

J. Mathew, London,

Let it not be forgotten.
What is the UN really doing about Burma?
Sod all.
And the govts of the worlds most powerful countries?
Sod all.
Money, diplomatic promotion prospects - that is what decides if people live or die.
Pls spare us your pretence.
Getback into your sad CD-plate 4WD's
and go!

David, tokyo, japan

Freeing the oppressed is a really great concept that people never want to pay for.

Jason, Chicago, USA

If there were natural resourses like oil to be harvested I assume the western democracies would already have involved themselves to "help the people".

Sarah, Loughton, England

'people complained of forced labour and low supplies of food at state-run refugee centres'

At last a refuge camp where people do something. Not sit around all day

“They have to break stones at the construction sites. They are paid K1,000 ($1) per day,”,

This is how they re-build,no diggers

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

Isn't it about time we say enough is enough. The act of leaving millions to suffer and die is an atrocity equivilent to any deliberate massacre. The people of Burma have a right to live and be helped we should deliver aid even if we use armed escorts. The poeople deserve more help.

Russell Craxford, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Will the world just wait and watch the military let thousands of people die of starvation? Why is the United Nations so powerless even when they are saying a million more could die? What kind of government would deny relief supplies to its own people who have lost everything? It is so sad.

Charles Ko Ko, Washington DC, USA

The Myanmar "government" has clearly shown it is unfit to govern, letting thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands die while they "play" at constitution setting. The sooner this regime are removed from power and stand trial on genocide by negligence the better. Enough is enough!

Fred Ford, Macclesfield, UK

A classic case of ignorance being bliss. Trouble is, it's at the expense of thousands of dazed and bemused victims. Meanwhile the military leaders go back to their expensive corals to fatten themselves up and pamper themselves. Tragic.

John, Chichester, UK

Even Saddam wasnt this bad.

These people actually cant fight for themselves, isnt it our duty to protect them?

Definately think that we need to get rid of these people-i mean how can you sit back and not want to invade this country and call yourself a humanitarian! I'm calling for a just war!

Ross, Liverpool, UK