Boycotts are almost always a bad idea. The suffering people whom well meaning boycotters intend to help fall deeper into the pit of victimization. The current disaster in Burma underlines this problem. Reflexive response to calls for a boycott of all things Burmese, including the tourist sector, served to heighten the xenophobia of the ruling junta. In a peculiar way, the junta may well be supportive and encouraging of boycotts because it makes them less accountable to the outside world when there are fewer eyes to observe the debacle in progress. Aid and support for the people suffering from the recent cyclone cannot reach the victims, in part, because the government is uncooperative with those who want to deliver aid. But another reason is that The US and other governments have made it difficult for private sources to transfer funds to aid local efforts carried out by private individuals in Burma. JOURNEYS has representatives in Burma who are eager to use their offices and abilities to help cyclone victims, but it is difficult to transmit aid money, except through third countries because of government currency restrictions. Boycotts have created the impression that any aid to Burma is politically incorrect. Now when it is necessary to coordinate with the junta, there are no channels, infrastructure or relationships to deliver the aid many of us would like to send. Many humanitarian, commercial and NGO groups no longer have staff in Burma because of the tremendous pressure organizations like The Burma Campaign UK in completely discouraging private contact between Burma and the rest of the world. Now, in an about face, they are suddenly decrying the failure of Burma to accept aid. As travelers who believe in the free flow of ideas and and direct development assistance between travelers and the people they visit, regardless of government, we hope that the cyclone disaster sends a message to those organizations supporting the cutting of all ties between countries like Burma, Korea, Cuba, Zimbabwe. Their boycotts only serve to punish the people who are most in need of help and assistance. The generals, dictators and demagogues are happy not to have meddling do- gooders exposing their failings to the rest of the world. Organizations like Burma Campaign UK play right into their strategies of isolation and represssion.
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JOURNEYS is the longest standing family-owned global ecotourism company in the US. We offer full-service exotic, guided cross-cultural explorations, nature safaris, treks and eco-tours in remote corners of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific.