Was listening to Humphreys on Today this morning interviewing the head of DEC. I usually quite like his confrontational style but this morning I rather thought he was missing the point deliberately and suggesting that DEC would be misleading people to give money that would never reach the disaster victims. Anyway, I digress...
I don't know what to think about this. The regime is bent beyond belief and human rights abuses are widespread, but at the same time there is a grave human need for relief to the disaster victims. But where should we stand on a government that appears not to give a damn about its own citizens, in terms of providing relief which will, at least indirectly, support the regime?
Should aid have conditions attached? Can we use the awful situation to promote regime change? Or do we have to cast off any misgivings about the regime and focus on the victims, knowing that this will entail propping up the Generals?
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