Myanmar Allows U.N. Aid But Snubs U.S.

U.S. Weighs Air-Dropping Food To Cyclone Victims But Gates Says Not Without Myanmar's OK

(CBS/AP)  Relief supplies from the United Nations began arriving in Myanmar on Thursday, but U.S. military planes loaded with aid were still denied access by the country's isolationist regime five days after a devastating cyclone.

The military junta also continued to stall on visas for U.N. teams seeking entry to ensure the aid is delivered to the victims.

The greatest fear is that people who barely survived the cyclone might not be able to hang on much longer for aid to arrive as they battle the possibility of disease and dehydration, reports CBS News reporter Celia Hatton.

The problem for the Burmese generals may well be that accepting outside aid means bringing in outsiders. The Myanmar regime has kept power for decades in part by keeping the country isolated, Hatton reports.

Four airplanes carrying high-energy biscuits, medicine and other supplies arrived in Yangon Thursday, U.N. officials said. Two of four U.N. experts who had flown to Myanmar to assess the damage were turned back at the Yangon airport for unknown reasons, said John Holmes, the U.N. relief coordinator. But the other two were allowed to enter.

By rejecting the U.S. offer of help, the junta is refusing to take advantage of Washington's enormous ability to deliver aid quickly, which was evident during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen nations.

"We have demonstrated in crises around the world ... our logistical capability to get humanitarian assistance quickly in to the people who need it," said Shari Villarosa, the top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar.

President George W. Bush's national security spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, said Washington was still working to gain permission to enter Myanmar.

Ky Luu, the director of the U.S. office of foreign disaster assistance, said one option would be to airdrop relief aid. But U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he could not imagine doing so without the military junta's permission.

France has argued that the U.N. has the power to intervene to help civilians because of an agreement by world leaders at a 2005 summit that the international body has a "responsibility to protect" people sometimes when nations fail to do it. But that agreement did not mention natural disasters.

Myanmar's generals, traditionally paranoid about foreign influence, issued an appeal for international assistance after the storm struck Saturday. They have since dragged their feet on issuing visas to relief workers even as survivors faced hunger, disease and flooding.

"What is critically needed at this point is for Myanmar authorities to open up to a major international relief effort," said U.N. spokesman Richard Horesy. "If that is not done quickly, there is a major risk that there will be a second phase to this disaster where large numbers of people will die of communicable disease."

[al2008-2009]

I%u2019m appalled at the administration%u2019s lack of response to the global warming hurricanes, and cyclones as well. We have no comprehensive strategy in place whatsoever, let alone a detailed plan of action to mitigate the effects of these cyclones, and mother earth continues to suffer while the administration refuses to go forward and do what%u2019s right for mother earth.
.
How long must we sit idly by while our mother continues to suffer from the warming taking place at a feverish pace? How long must our mother suffer before we have proper c02 taxes put into place? How long must the destruction of mother earth take place before we finally put responsible plans into action? How long must we wait until we beef up our corn ethanol production? At least Obama wants to cut c02 pollution by 80%; he is definitely our best hope.
.
We the people call upon our leaders to implement a comprehensive antiglobal warming strategy at once and work in coordination with state and federal officials; these cyclones and storms continue to worsen and the quicker we stop the warming the sooner we will see these storms cease. We need action now.

[petro49l]

Rangoon should reconsider and allow American supplies. The People of Myanmar are in desperate need for help. This is not a political issue. The Burmese are struck by natural disaster.

[fuzzybear9]

Hello Concerned Helpers

But you will recall that when Hurricane Katrina
sufferers were starving to death, Fema and GW
turned down Aid and Hospital ships from Russia and Italy because it would make the U.S. look weak perhaps we should not be so quick to jump, when Myamar refuses help so
so

well thats our commentary for Today
so

sincerely pondering the word So
Bear Fuzzy

[demslie]

I%u2019m appalled at the administration%u2019s lack of response to the global warming hurricanes, and cyclones as well.

Posted by AL2008

Democrats are the greatest supporters of world wide genocide. AL2008 is "appalled" at the Bush administration and angry about global warming. Yet, not one Democrat alive has said anything about the Genocidal Military Dictatorship of Myanmar that has tortured and murdered thousands of its own citizens. Democrats could not give a DAMNN about dead people. AL2008 and all other Democrats only care about how dead bodies fit into their evil political agenda. Its not different in IRAQ. Our troops have been telling us for two years that IRANIAN training, money and weapons give terrorists the ability to kill American Soldiers. But, IRAN and Al Qaeda hate Bush so, "The enemy of my enemy is my freind". Democrats only get angry if Bush says a word about IRAN. Democrats are the best friends world wide genociede and terrorism ever had. And these people want us to vote for them?

[minnick8-2009]

C02 Taxes are not going to stop cyclones and hurricanes. The forces of nature have gone forward unabated for about 4.7 million years and will continue to do so long after America no longer exists.

If money is the answer to global warming, then just go on over to the Treasurey Department and have them print more of it. They could print more $100s rather than $20s, but tell them not to print it on paper because that uses up trees and that is bad for the environment.

[minnick8-2009]

I can hardly believe that the government of Myanmar is being selective as regarding who is allowed to send help. This world is so full of idiots it is amazing. However, if they don''t want our help, to he** with them. We are going to need our resources for ourselves when Obama is elected and chaos reigns.

[deacon20081]

The UN and the countries of the world have good reason to be concerned that the corrupt military and government will steal all aid supplies for their own use. There has to be aid workers on the ground, period to make a difference and verify that indeed the aid provisions are going to the people and not the government.
Pray for the people who have lived to suffer and for those who have died. What if it were you and your family?

[beader59]

Why is it that we are still calling it Myanmar in the press? The U.S. gov''t does not recognize this as the official name of this place. It is BURMA! Call it Burma why don''t you. Don''t give the killer group in charge any credit as a recognized government.

[marbru-2009]

Why is it that so many countries hate the U.S. but are more than happy to take our money and our aid?

But if we don''t come to the world''s rescue, we''re considered the bad guys?

Isn''t it time we took care of those in need in our own country?

[edward1975-2009]

Myanmar what a sad time for you. And these folks who don''t want our help. Wonderful, I''m sure we can find plenty in our own country who could and would accept it gladly. No matter what Myanmar, you''ll always be Burma to me.

[marbru-2009]

"when Hurricane Katrina sufferers were starving to death, Fema and GW turned down Aid and Hospital ships from Russia and Italy because it would make the U.S. look weak ...."

I have never heard this before - can anyone factually confirm or refute that this is true?

[Michael Arnold]

We probably sat there and watched this happen via our "spot a tick on a dogs ***" satellite imagery, hoping we''d be let in. We saw this coming and didn''t do ANYTHING (just like Katrina)

I don''t blame ''em. I wouldn''t want America in my country either.

[gangesdak]

Geo Bush looked pretty combative when he solicited help for Myanmar. Three Million Dollar and his men have to be let inside Myanmar to "assess" the situation. Right! What an unconditional help! A benevolent neighbor indeed. I saw help from India and other Asian countries arriving in Myanmar with no difficulty. Perhaps they were really neighborly; all they wanted was to unload their relief material, and no snooping.

[demslie]

There is an agenda going on here at C.hristian B.ashing S.ystems . com

And if anyone else does''''t see it they are willingly blind.

Posted by cbsjerks2008

I agree. CBS (Communist Boradcast System) only wants Angry Democrats to have full access to blogs. That way they get only the correct thinking and no other opinion.

[demslie]

Geo Bush looked pretty combative when he solicited help for Myanmar. Three Million Dollar and his men have to be let inside Myanmar to "assess" the situation. Right! What an unconditional help! A benevolent neighbor indeed. I saw help from India and other Asian countries arriving in Myanmar with no difficulty. Perhaps they were really neighborly; all they wanted was to unload their relief material, and no snooping.

Posted by gangesdak

Obvious gangesdak hate America just like all Democrats. Like I said before, not one Democrat alive has said anything about the Genocidal Military Dictatorship of Myanmar that has tortured and murdered thousands of its own citizens. Democrats could not give a DAMNN about dead people. AL2008 and all other Democrats only care about how dead bodies fit into their evil political agenda. Its not different in IRAQ. Our troops have been telling us for two years that IRANIAN training, money and weapons give terrorists the ability to kill American Soldiers. But, IRAN and Al Qaeda hate Bush so, "The enemy of my enemy is my freind". Democrats only get angry if Bush says a word about IRAN. Democrats are the best friends world wide genociede and terrorism ever had. And these people want us to vote for them?

[jbsangel100]

Help others but never help you own. Does this sound fimilar to anyone?!? Our country is in need, but instead of spending $3 million dollars on food for the ones that need it in this country, we have to give to a foreign country that has no intentions on returning the favor. If our economy wasn''t under such distress, I would stand behind this act of charity. I think it is nobel and very kind, but with the war in Iraq, the prices of gas and food going up, along with the mortgage crisis and the weaking dollar, it is time to say leave it alone. We need to take care of things at home first before we go spend moeny on someone who hates the US.

[extremophil]

They don''t want our help? The HE11 with ''em.

P.S. Shove it, tvtoy1000 (Moron)

[Syndicate]

jbsangel100: We spend 333 billion annually on illegals aliens. More than on Iraq, yet I don''t see any liberals complaining. Hypocrites.

[noaanhc]

My main concern about dropping relief supplies is that these paranoid generals who rule Burma may try to shoot down our aircraft.I do not trust those bunch of murderous military despots.

[fuzzybear9]

Hello Concerned American Viewers

Fuzzy what is on the agenda today ?

Well introspection yes introspection is the buzz word today.

One of the local tv broadcasters near by had a commentary about how terrible it was for the despot goverment of Myanmar, to deprive its Cyclone impoverished citizens from recieving American Aid
because it would make the goverment look weak and unable to provide for its citizens.
and it dawned on me
Introspection
I recall oh say four years ago when Hurricane Katrina pounded the Gulf Coast and many standed and starving New Orleans people were in desperation, you all remember the big sign HELP, and you will recall that the Russian goverment and Italian goverment offered to send Hospital ships to the Gulf Coast to help the desperate people, and were turned down by GW and Fema under Jim Brown,
Hello, Hello,
is this ringing a bell ?
Hello ?
Just an observation nothing more no conclusions about World Politics.
Because of Introspection.
Also Propoganda
I haven`t looked up Websters for awhile on what the definition of Propoganda
but I think most Americans get a feel for Propoganda when then hear it.
Big Money there is alot of Big Money to be had in Welfare Disaster Relief,
Now you say but Fuzzy we want to help and I say yes.
but all I`m saying is don`t get fooled by propoganda either by the U.S. goverment or by CBS
we all love CBS I just caught them involved in propoganda is all.


sincerely your in the world news Bear
Fuzzy

[lewiston14]

"We probably sat there and watched this happen via our "spot a tick on a dogs ***" satellite imagery, hoping we''''d be let in. We saw this coming and didn''''t do ANYTHING (just like Katrina)

I don''''t blame ''''em. I wouldn''''t want America in my country either."

Great then bring back all those supplies and give it to AMERICAN food banks.

As far as them shooting down of our planes that would get interesting real quick.

[fuzzybear9]

``
I don''''''''t blame ''''''''em. I wouldn''''''''t want America in my country either."

Great then bring back all those supplies and give it to AMERICAN food banks.

As far as them shooting down of our planes that would get interesting real quick.



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Posted by lewiston14 at 01:41 PM : May 08, 2008
``

well there are people suffering there
and I guess they really don`t like Americans
or at least the American Goverment,
and I guess Americans are pretty arrougant,
but people are really in need,
and we can help,
so I guess we should help, despite the motives of the American goverment which are not always apparent,
and I think we need to make sure no one politician or group tries to take credit for the relief effort,
but just Americans in general.

sincerely Fuzzy

[fuzzybear9]

``

"when Hurricane Katrina sufferers were starving to death, Fema and GW turned down Aid and Hospital ships from Russia and Italy because it would make the U.S. look weak ...."

I have never heard this before - can anyone factually confirm or refute that this is true?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by marbru at 12:21 PM : May 08, 2008

``

yes we can it was on the CBS Evening NEws
about a week after Katrina hit so,
just request from CBS all their back logs of News Broadcasts,
and there you will find it,
Russia and Italy offering assistance and being rejected by GW and Fema

sincerely your never forgetting Bear
Fuzzy

[lewiston14]

Fuzzy I understand what your saying but if we are not welcome and air drops are random at best what else can we do. We would be invading their air space. Something here in america we keep a close eye on.

[enlightenu]

If president Bush authorizes air drops without permission, it would be his one saving grace. Go for it Georgey!

[lewiston14]

"If president Bush authorizes air drops without permission, it would be his one saving grace. Go for it Georgey!"

If it didn''t start another armed conflict.

[rhunter10]

Who do Myanmar''s leaders think they are%u2014George Bush and FEMA?

[lewiston14]

"Who do Myanmar''''s leaders think they are%u2014George Bush and FEMA?"

No a military government without all the trailers.

Visas in 24 hours or pack it up and come home.

[lewiston14]

I can see it now. Next years Flu shot including Burma type 1 in the formula

[tierney1024]

For those that say something along the lines of "we saw it coming when Katrina happened and did nothing...this is the same thing...blah, blah, blah"...

Of course we see hurricanes coming. That is why we have weather people. The part about us doing nothing...Well didn''t a million or more people tell everyone down there to EVACUATE. Come on people. At some point in life people have to take responsbility for themselves. The knew it was coming a week before it got there. Is that not enough time to get the heck out of there? As for Myanmar they are not our responsibility. If they don''t want us there then why go. I realize the people there need help but honestly why should we put our people in danger to help those that have told us not to help them. It makes absolutely NO sense. I am not really sure how to feel about that.

[j62kd4b]

Yep, Cuba offered a hospital ship in New Orleans "Katrina" hurricane - refused.....

[waterandsand]

R we the only country lining up to help? If this country doesnt want help dont fn give it to them.

[excoachken]

Heckuva job, Brownie!!!

[realhdvideo]

If that Gov will not allow the USA to bring in the aid, then Bush needs to grow some b*lls for once and do something serious. Yes that is right so many people are dying because of that worthless Gov. Come on Bush you lazy pus*y.

[lewiston14]

"Of course we see hurricanes coming. That is why we have weather people. The part about us doing nothing."

Its not like the US where you can get instant weather on your cell phone, Burm has very spotty electric and maybe 10 tv''s. You could sound the alert for days and nobody would hear or understand it. Maybe if Burma did not spend billions on an easy to blast off the face of the earth 400,000 miltary the people might have some electric and a radio or two. Welcome to military rule.

[reedtaz73]

For those that say something along the lines of "we saw it coming when Katrina happened and did nothing...this is the same thing...blah, blah, blah"...

Of course we see hurricanes coming. That is why we have weather people. The part about us doing nothing...Well didn''''t a million or more people tell everyone down there to EVACUATE. Come on people. At some point in life people have to take responsbility for themselves. Posted by tierney1024 at 02:41 PM : May 08, 2008

Really, that''s why I didn''t see any elderly and handicaped american citizens dead in nursing homes or displaced on the streets of New Orleans...they took responsibility for themselves.
When your house is burning, don''t bother calling the fire dept. to rescue your kids or animals. Take responsibility for youself and jump in the flames.

[lewiston14]

Hospital ships in New Orleans "Katrina" hurricane were not an answer. The river is not that big and the need was not as great. Decent access from land so no ships needed. What saved Katrina people were the coast guard and other helpers who saved people using copters or boats. That was the greatest need.

[lewiston14]

Reed that was harsh when something that big comes down on a million some are going to die Example those cheap nursing homes who just needled the people to save a few bucks and not be bothered. The Mayor who said this is going to be a chocolate city just does not inspire people. Finally you don%u2019t build under sea level ever again.

[reedtaz73]

If we don''''t do something; you have refugees poring in to other countries and disease spreading - Sars, Eboli, hepititius, etc. Africa and Iraq are good examples of refuges. - zoe2006
Why would our government do anything if the opportunity for a cheaper version of Tuskegee is on the horizon...History will always repeat itself.

[lewiston14]

Tuskegee: Is that what your world revolves around?
Im more worried about some virus coming out of burma
Keep the clap to yourself

[j62kd4b]

It''s US sanctions that have made Myanmar government (of US choosing) refuse US aid - the country has been unable to buy food for its citizens because of US sanctions - interesting the Monks have been pictured helping...yesterday''s news & reminder of last year''s political problems

[reedtaz73]

Yeah lewis, that mayor was stupid and a lier. He is directly responsible for what happened or didn''t happen for our american poor people. I was called tar baby and darkie growing up in Texas...calling a people chocolate is equally offensive from someone in office.
Only Sir George Clinton and his Funkadelic''s reserves that right.

[nnncola]

you guys are such homos...why dont you discuss the point in question, instead of crying about katrina. its pathetic you need to hide behind your computers and take shot at one another... losers

[canyoutellme-2009]

you guys are such homos...why dont you discuss the point in question, instead of crying about katrina. its pathetic you need to hide behind your computers and take shot at one another... losers


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Posted by nnncola at 03:44 PM : May 08, 2008
+ report abuse

=====================================================

Hi Pot, say hi to Kettle (the rest of the insult-flinging people here).

Re-read your post. You just called people homos for insulting others but in so doing, you just insulted others. So, were you speaking about yourself?

[reedtaz73]

I can promise you that I will never visit Burma...ever. Thanks to your great president, our military men and women will be at risk.Maybe you too when their tour is over.

[reedtaz73]

It''s all relative to me...and you don''t matter.Hide behind a computer? Well what is it you''re doing that makes you different from me. Oh , that''s right...being a homophobic bigot.

[ubrew12]

Myanmar is run by hopelessly egotistic old men.
''We refuse U.S. aid: we''d rather another 100,000 of our people die a horrible death of disease and starvation than let U.S. aid come in''

That military ''boys club'' and our own El Presidente have alot in common. He''s done the right thing to offer aid, at least.

I believe he''s done the wrong thing by having the military provide it: why have we so seriously dried up funding for our own ''Peace Corp''. Kennedy''s dream of a corp funded to help create peace and stability has been killed by the ''old men'' of America, who''s money extends only to the miltary.

All over the world, the ''warrior ethic'' is bvllsh*t. Never met a society it didn''t want to enslave.

[abigail70]

My first instinct to is to ask "Why help a country that doesn''t want our help?" Unfortunately, the victims of this do need help. How many more thousands need to die before they accept a handout.

[obamawhama]

its amazing that despite the inhumanity against these people, a lot of anti-bush anti american liberals found this as a perfect place to hate over someone WHO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MATTER AT HAND..and to elaborate thier DISDAIN against this country

[obamawhama]

All over the world, the ''''warrior ethic'''' is bvllsh*t. Never met a society it didn''''t want to enslave.


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Posted by ubrew12 at 04:01 PM : May 08, 2008
+ report abuse

******************

well WELCOME TO HUMANITY...it is often that the people who WHINES about the warrior ethics (even though the same LOVESSSS watching NFL, WWF, Cage fighting) are the weak minded and the physically unqualified..

IN THE TOTEM POLE of human classification..these are the ones that ''gets sacrificed and thrown into the volcano"