Talk about setting yourself up for a regime change - Myanmar
This is abject lunacy - from
CNN/Asia:
U.N. 'furious' as Myanmar aid 'seized'
Aid agencies are furious over the Myanmar's government's refusal to allow them to distribute food and supplies flown in for cyclone disaster victims.
The ruling military junta has been allowing planes to land, but is not letting the cargo be distributed by most foreign aid workers, especially those from Western nations.
The Asia head of the United Nations' World Food Program said Friday that the government had seized the contents of two flights that arrived in the morning at Yangon which carried enough food for 95,000 people. They contained 38 tons of high-energy biscuits, medical kits and other items.
"We off-loaded the food, and then the authorities refused us permission to take that food away," WFP director Tony Banbury said.
"We were told we needed a special letter from the Minister of Social Welfare. We hand-delivered a request to him. The answer back was 'No, you can't have the food.'
"That food is now sitting on the tarmac doing no good. I'm furious. This is unacceptable."
And a bit more:
Friday's move by the Myanmar military government to stop aid workers distributing supplies came one day before a national constitutional referendum that would strengthen the power of the military junta.
The government delayed voting in areas most ravaged by last Saturday's cyclone, but, despite urging by U.N. General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon, refused to cancel the balloting countrywide. Ban told authorities it may be "prudent" to focus their resources on emergency response efforts.
Political observers note that Myanmar has been isolated from outside influences since the military began ruling the country in 1962.
I wonder when the junta will fall -- I am betting in less than a year...
Posted by DaveH at May 9, 2008 8:29 PM