Myanmar Junta Accused of Hoarding Food Aid

[babylonsister]

Myanmar regime accused of hoarding cyclone aid

UN says flow of relief into Myanmar too slow; others accuse junta regime of hoarding food aid

Staff
AP News

May 13, 2008 05:26 EST

snip//

The military — which has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1962 — has taken control of most aid sent by other countries including the United States.

The regime told a U.S. military commander who delivered the first American shipment on Monday that basic needs of the storm victims are being fulfilled and "skillful humanitarian workers are not necessary."

But the junta's words and actions have only served to back up complaints that the military is appropriating the aid for itself.

A longtime foreign resident in Yangon told the AP in Bangkok that angry government officials have complained to him about the misappropriation of the aid by the military.

He said the officials told him that quantities of the high-energy biscuits rushed into Myanmar by the WFP on its first flights were sent to a military warehouse.

They were exchanged by what the officials said were "tasteless and low quality" biscuits produced by the Industry Ministry to be handed out to cyclone victims, the foreign resident said.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because revealing his identity would jeopardize his safety.

more...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/05/myanmar_regime_accused_of_hoar.php

[Warpy]

1. That's what right wing dictatorships do

I had a friend years ago who worked her way around the world teaching higher math in third world countries. One of the countries she taught in had famine and the world was responding with aid. She said the food would be unloaded from a ship on Monday and be loaded onto another ship on Friday, never to be seen again. The right wing dictatorship was selling the donated food for hard currency with which to buy weapons, letting their people starve.

The problem with humanitarian aid is that the donating countries and agencies rarely oversee its distribution, and the scam of selling it off for money to buy weapons is an irresistible one to repressive governments.

Aid to Burma needs to be given in spite of their government. Air drops would probably be the best way to get it to the people who need it.

[babylonsister]

2. Air drops-good idea, providing the government doesn't shoot first

and ask questions later.

[Warpy]

3. Their capacity to shoot is probably gone

in the areas with the most damage. It's probably been severely damaged in Yangon, itself.

[otherlander]

4. It wouldn't surprise me

So we've got our thieves vs. their thieves and no fucking right side.
:banghead: