Jody Williams's commentary "It's the Burmese who are asking for sanctions" (Views, April 26) neglected to mention the critical role that China's government plays in propping up the military junta in Burma. U.S. and European Union sanctions are largely ineffective, since Burma's trade with China dwarfs its trade with the West.
Notwithstanding the condemnation by the UN Human Rights Commission, there is little chance of China allowing change to emerge through the United Nations. The quickest way to restore democracy in Burma would be for the United States and the EU to impose sanctions on China.
Daryl Martyris, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
It is a mistake to imagine that the present military regime of Burma, which is very strongly entrenched and can count on substantial moral and material support from China, as well as a varying degree of tacit support from its neighbors, can be dislodged by economic or political sanctions.
The model here is Cuba: Would Fidel Castro have survived this long if it were not for the persistent sanctions applied on Havana by successive U.S. administrations?
Change in Burma is most likely to be brought about not by the efforts of the admirable Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters, but by dissension among the generals. This can best be achieved by a cautious increase in trade and tourism, which will encourage the more wily among them to opt for some semblance of democratic governance.
If it is true that this would attract massive popular support, as we hope would be the case, that would in due course pave the way for the liberation of the beautiful country and its wonderfully unspoiled and generous-hearted people.
William Harding, Pezuls, France