Letter: Burma: cruelty and kindness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Burma: cruelty and kindness
Sir: I recently returned to Burma after a 54-year absence (travel column, 25 May). I had agonised over whether or not to go; whether it would be colluding with an odious tyranny or whether the increasing presence of foreigners might give hope to a cruelly imprisoned people. In the end, I went; not with a tour but travelling by myself. I squashed into sardine cans of trucks, met ordinary Burmese and used my eyes and ears.
During the month I spent in Burma, people risked imprisonment - and probably torture - to talk to me about the military regime and the crimes it had committed: its cruelty, its ruthlessness, its stupidity. All loathed and despised the thugs who oppressed them.
The much-vaunted stability of the country is a sham. It's about as stable as the old buildings in Rangoon, spick and span painted in front and filthy and falling to bits at the back. Burma is a country of chain gangs, torture and corruption. It's also a potential tourist gold mine which is why the Japanese and Chinese are pouring money in. While the American State Department complains about human rights abuses our government remains silent.
If Aung San Suu Kyi had said four months ago "Please don't go to Burma" I wouldn't have gone. I was a small child there and had memories of kindness, laughter and warmth. Those qualities - incredibly - are still evident, but I won't go back until the National League for Democracy is in power.
KATE MENZIES
London W8
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments