BURMA

JOAN BIEDER, FRONTLINE/World Correspondent, September 2, 2004
CZIKOWSKY: In what ways is Burma “moving backwards”, and what is causing this to happen?
BIEDER: Because there is such poverty in the country many of its problems are growing and they are increasingly problems that cannot be adequately handled with such limited financial resources, these include health issues, particular the growth of HIV and AIDS, the increasing number of women going into prostitution, the increased number of workers who have lost jobs because of the sanctions (which means they have lost the income to support their families).
In addition, over past decades, their universities have been opened on a limited basis and closed down for a number of years. Now that they are opened many university professors have not receive adequate education to teach students and the result is that a university education which could guarantee better standards of living can be inadequate for the student. If young people want to leave the country for jobs or for education they must have substantial amount of money for passports to leave the country, which many do not have.

EVAN WILLIAMS, Frontline/World Reporter, November 1, 2006
CZIKOWSKY: I admire your courage (in “Burma: State of Fear”). This is one of the most courageous reports ever. What preparations can one make, i.e. if you somehow were captured, would our State Department and PBS have been prepared to obtain your release?
WILLIAMS: Thank you for your support and sentiment. If captured I would like to think common sense would prevail, that I was doing my job. But I was very aware that the risks I took for a short period are what people are doing in Rangoon, Mandalay, and the ethnic areas every day.