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Myanmar in bad shape as generals stall
Canada News.Net
Sunday 11th May, 2008
A boat, laden with relief supplies to Myanmar cyclone victims, has sunk.
A Red Cross boat carrying rice, drinking water and other goods for more than 1,000 people sank Sunday near hard-hit Bogalay town.
All four aid workers on board were rescued.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies could not say how much of the cargo has been lost, but it said the food supplies were contaminated by river water.
The death toll in Myanmar has officially jumped to more than 28,000, with other countries criticising the ruling generals for allowing a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.
The junta has been sharply criticized for its handling of the May 3rd disaster, from failing to provide adequate warnings about the pending storm to responding slowly to offers of help.
The few foreign relief workers who have been allowed entry into Myanmar have been restricted to the largest city of Rangoon.
The worst-affected areas have been completely neglected.
Heavy showers have been forecast for the coming week, further complicating delivery of aid.
Experts warn the death toll could go 15 times higher if people do not get clean water and sanitation soon.
Meanwhile, aid is piling up in foreign countries, awaiting approval from the junta.
Aid group World Vision said it has requested visas for 20 people and received approval for two.
The U.N. World Food Program had one approved out of the 16 it requested.
On the weekend, the military junta released 38 tons of high-energy biscuits which had been confiscated on Friday, saying it wanted to hand out all donated supplies on its own.
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Comments on this story
paul`
05-12-08, 08:53 AM |
Force them
Land the aid in planes with troops and force them to take the aid. The military leadership arn’t being effected by the lack of aid, the people are and they shouldn’t be punished for others stupidity and greed.
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eklabya
05-12-08, 05:37 AM |
That will happen when the ruling elites know that they have enthic- unrest and powerful enemy like USA at the same time.
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lin Kyi
05-11-08, 10:39 PM |
Myanmar butchers
What can you expect from the butchers? why is it a surprise to the world that the junta is not allowing aid to the people....all people are equal but some are more equal than others. Too bad the elite and their families were safe in their new palace- NayPyidaw.
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Tejas Gunas
05-11-08, 10:29 PM |
Myanmar in bad shape as generals stall
And so it goes...human life is trivial in a military state...image and power in higher esteem.
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Anonymous
05-11-08, 10:59 PM |
Business as usual
In the meantime the military continues to make money from it’s oil and gas reserves as companies and countries continue to trade. Military has no incentive to help it own people who they would have to share this profit with. Who are the companies and countries that should force the issue! Now
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Anonymous
05-11-08, 11:05 PM |
This shows only part the horrible picture in Burma iunder dictatorship. The leeader has finished only year 6 and extremely xenophobic. All he wants his to be a king. Now the world knows how idiotic he is.
The whole army is corrupt and they have to cling together to avoid punishment if democracy kicks in.
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Tamas Gunas
05-14-08, 10:19 PM |
By paul...
...The Gunas' want governments to back 'responsibility to protect' doctrine:
http://www.canada.com/news/story.html?id=512645
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Anonymous
05-12-08, 11:22 AM |
Enemy?
eklabya;81837:
That will happen when the ruling elites know that they have enthic- unrest and powerful enemy like USA at the same time.
The US supports the Junta in Burma.
Take special note of the close ties some of John McCains people had!
So much so two have stepped down so as to not tarnish McCain.
I bet Hillery and Obama also have people with close ties to Burmese power structures!
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