Winded junta

Last year, Myanmar’s military rulers shocked the world when they unleashed their brute power on thousands of silent, barefoot Buddhist monks and pro-democracy campaigners. Today, they face a different kind of mortal danger, brought upon by a 120 mph cyclone that has devastated the country.

But unfortunately, at a moment when the people of Myanmar need help, and need it fast, both international and domestic response has chosen to linger on the inessentials of politics. The United States, which has called the junta one of the most repressive and corrupt regimes in the world, chose the moment to rub the junta’s face in it even as it self-righteously offered humanitarian relief. Laura Bush, in a rare public briefing, blamed the “inept” dictators for more or less continuing with their referendum plan on a draft constitution to bolster their illegitimate rule. Indeed, by playing at elections while the country reels without food, water and medical assistance, the military rulers have been transparently self-seeking (if last year’s brutal crackdown on democratic protesters had left any doubts about their solicitude for the people). Possibly the only flimsy upside to military rule is clear decision-making in crisis. But Myanmar’s rulers dithered despite clear warnings of the impending disaster, criminally understated the death toll, and then reluctantly accepted that they needed outside help.

Myanmar, despite its abundant natural resources, has been systematically bled dry, making it the poorest country in the region. Its links to the outside world have long hung on a thread, because of its paranoid government. So can Cyclone Nargis effect lasting political change, could it wrench open the military junta’s vice-like hold on the country? Could it revive the popular democratic groundswell so violently suppressed last year? The military dictators have proved that they are fearful, incapable of competent response or effective governance. The people of Myanmar are broken right now, but the yearning for a freer future could yet be realised. As Walter Benjamin said, revolution is not a runaway train — it’s an emergency brake, because for an oppressed people, every moment is the crisis.