Myanmar says no need for foreign aid distribution

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Myanmar says no need for foreign aid distribution
09 May 2008 08:49:00 GMT

* Myanmar turns back Qatari rescue team

* Thai PM to hold talks on aid with junta on Sunday

* U.N. says 1.5 million people "severely affected"

* U.S. outraged by Myanmar government's slow response

(Recasts with fresh quotes and details)

By Aung Hla Tun

YANGON, May 9 (Reuters) - Myanmar will accept foreign aid but
not foreign aid workers, the foreign ministry said on Friday,
after a disaster rescue team from Qatar that arrived in Yangon
on an aid flight was turned back.

"Myanmar is not in a position to receive rescue and information
teams from foreign countries at the moment," said a foreign
ministry statement carried in the official Myanma Ahlin newspaper

"But at present Myanmar is giving priority to receiving relief
aid and distributing them to the storm-hit regions with its own
resources," the statement said.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP86994.htm

[DetlefK]

1. Leave the package and then get the hell off my lawn!

They are clearly afraid of any permanent foreign presence, be it journalists or relief workers.

[Dover]

2. It's probably because NGO's have been used for spying and intelligence gathering.

It's got to stop or it puts aid and other government personnel at great risk as well as inhibits the main purpose of humanitarian aid and other help organzations around the world.

An article about that:

NGO Spy Mania

Foreign intelligence services are increasingly using international nongovernmental organizations and foreign press bureaus in Russia as cover for their agents," Federal Security Service chief Nikolai Patrushev said Tuesday, according to staff writer Simon Saradzhyan, of the Moscow Times,
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/12/20/011.html

As UCSJ sees it, given the government's hostility and paranoia about foreign human rights NGOs, Patrushev's accusation that a Danish NGO is collecting "biased information" concerning events in the North Caucasus, is a broad instance of chilling intimidation, calling into question an NGO's independence to report on incidents as they see them.

"Foreign agents take employment with international foundations and organizations that specialize in humanitarian development and assistance, as well as media outlets, in order to spy on Russia, Patrushev said...cont'd


http://www.coalitionagainsthate.org/2006/12/20/ngo-spy-mania

[stanley01]

3. they do not intend to distribute a crumb of relief

the supplies and money will be taken to their stronghold and
they will have let Malthus do their work for them,  if anyone
deserved to be bombed it is this regime, they live in a
densely packed fortress and could be all destroyed at once

[Zachstar]

4. I agree

The fact that they are putting such a roadblock to badly needed aid is grounds for action.

If the death toll surpasses 100 thousand then I ask congress to approve the arrest of the leaders. Send in all the special forces.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. "then I ask congress to approve the arrest of the leaders"

Congress cannot do anything about the "leaders" we have here (except come up with meaningless and toothless subpeonas), why would they go after other countries leaders?

[Zachstar]

10. Because by not allowing aid they are signing the deaths of thousands.

[awoke_in_2003]

12. I agree

but they won't do it, and even if they did it would be extremely hypocritical considering our response to Katrina.

[madrchsod]

5. culling the herd

if the army lets 1-2 million people die that is less people they have to worry about. the food aid keeps the army fat and happy.it`s a win win for the Burmese army.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. Exactly. And with no foreigners inside, the outsidide world knows

almost nothing of all that happens, so no pressure to do differently.

[soothsayer]

6. The junta is handing out TVs and DVD players, so it must all be fine.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/while-the-people-plead-for-food-the-junta-is-handing-out-tv-sets-824570.html

[I Have A Dream]

7. Sounds like what the B* Administration did during Hurricane Katrina.

The number of lives lost wasn't nearly as big, but even if it were, it wouldn't have changed their position.

:(

[bdamomma]

9. their decision to not accept aid is pure criminal.

almost sounds like * when he said we needed no help after Katrina/9/11, god, I hate these people.:grr:

[High Plains]

13. "Myanmar will accept foreign aid but not foreign aid workers."

They are taking the offered assistance, at least the goods.

[nels25]

14. I have heard reports that the Junta is confiscating

the small amount of supplies it has let in to the country (CBS Radio - World News This Morning 7am CST 9 May).

So the UN has suspended any relief help for the time being because it wants to help the people that need it, not the army of Burma.

:puke:
:argh:
:grr: