In limiting their response to toothless sanctions and a strong disapproval of Myanmar's military dictatorship, our world leaders condemn to death not only the country's bloodied, unarmed monks and civilians, but also the fragile hopes of oppressed peoples everywhere, who will quickly learn that the world leaders cannot be counted on to back up their pre-democracy rhetoric with action.

Why are world's powers reluctant to support a

people with an elected leader - in-waiting, the Noble Peace Prize winner, a burning desire for freedom and a willingness to die in peaceful protest against oppression, while world leaders impose these same values on other nations that don'twant their help in die first place? No one is standing taller or br ver than the Myanmar people today.

Gopal Sengupta

Montreal, Canada