>I am surprised that you focus not on the devastation and that country refusing aid, but rather on any hidden agenda of those willing to offer it. Is everyone there standing on the corner stating 'Don't help me, you might have a hidden agenda - I'd rather suffer and starve?'

Just trying to explain why and how, as far as I can fathom a Stalinist mind. I've had my little troubles with their way of thinking - even though we weren't a Stalinist country when I was born, there was a period before that ('44-48?) when we were quite close, and the mindset wasn't erased from all the minds.

I figure the generals are in a state of denial, probably fearing the spread of information across their own country, and the damage to their image and, well, just plain erosion of power. I think they spend these days in silent panic, measuring which damage is worse. Of course, people are dying meanwhile - the disaster is only made worse.

But these generals are just a factor in it, probably no better or worse than a number of other juntas. This is the wrong time to go against them, they hold the keys. They can only become more paranoid and sink deeper into panic. I think, even propagandistically, that more could have been achieved by showing that in times of trouble people are able to cast their differences aside and just help without a word. But no, so many just can't pass the chance for a few shots against their gov't.