Why Burma refused cyclone relief from USA?

Question

Why Burma refused cyclone relief from USA?

Answer 1

I think that if people start dying in Burma, through lack of aide then the Burmese military should be charged for crimes against humanity.

Answer 2

They are refusing from nearly everyone.  Officially they say supplies can get in, but they are tying up all the supply planes in serious bureaucratic red tape.

And the one plane that got in so far, the military junta seized the cargo.  They did eventually give it out; but with the names of their leaders all over it.

I am venturing a guess here, but I think they are afraid that UN and US and a few of the other helping countries might lead the Burmese people to rise up.  I think they are afraid these helping countries might tell them about freedom and independence and all that; and then the Burmese people rise up and overthrow the military junta.

So instead they take the supplies, write their names all over it to make it look like they are the ones providing the supplies, then give it to the people.

If the people believe only their own government is providing supplies, they are more likely to leave them in power and not rise up.  So I think more than anything its self-protection from what they believe would be a rebellion.

Answer 3

Mainly geopolitical concerns and arrogance on behalf of their own government.  True tyranny.