Myanmar Turns Away U.S. Cyclone Aid

Junta Claims Assistance Comes "With Strings Attached"; Fears U.S. Wants To Seize Its Oil

(AP)  Myanmar shunned a U.S. proposal for naval ships to deliver aid to cyclone victims on Wednesday, according to state-run media, dimming hopes that the vessels could provide a major boost to relief efforts.

The New Light of Myanmar, a mouthpiece for Myanmar's ruling junta, said that such assistance "comes with strings attached" that are "not acceptable to the people of Myanmar." It cited fears that Washington wants to overthrow the country's government and seize its oil.

The United States, as well as France and Great Britain, have naval vessels loaded with humanitarian supplies off the Myanmar coast, and had been waiting for a green light to deliver them. The article did not say whether the French and British supplies would be allowed.

The state media report said that other U.S. aid airlifted into the country was welcome, an apparent reference to ongoing relief flights, which land in the country about five times a day. American officials are required to hand the aid to Myanmar authorities upon landing in Yangon, from which it is a difficult journey to the Irrawaddy delta.

The four U.S. warships were seen as a major potential boost for the relief effort with the capacity to deliver supplies to inaccessible areas of the delta, with 14 helicopters, two landing craft vessels, two high-tech amphibious hovercraft and about 1,000 U.S. Marines.

The report gave no explanation why the regime was willing to accept aid flown on U.S. planes, with U.S. military personnel on board, but would not allow the warships and helicopters to deliver relief supplies.

Myanmar's xenophobic leaders have long feared an invasion by the United States, a concern that some analysts believe prompted the junta's abrupt decision in 2005 to move the country's capital from Yangon to the remote city of Naypyitaw, which is equipped with bunkers.

Despite Wednesday's announcement, the junta appeared to be slowly relenting to foreign pressure to accept more outside help for an estimated 2.5 million survivors faced with hunger, loss of their homes and potential outbreaks of deadly diseases.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was headed to Myanmar, said the world body had received permission from the junta to use nine helicopters to carry aid to stranded victims.

"We have received government permission to operate nine WFP (World Food Program) helicopters, which will allow us to reach areas that have so far been largely inaccessible," Ban told reporters in New York on Tuesday before departing for Southeast Asia. His announcement was not immediately confirmed by officials in Myanmar.

"I believe further similar moves will follow, including expediting the visas of (foreign) relief workers seeking to enter the country," Ban said, warning that relief efforts to save survivors of the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis had reached a "critical moment."

"We have a functioning relief program in place but so far have been able to reach only 25 percent of Myanmar's people in need," he said.

So far, the few foreign aid workers allowed inside the country have been banned from the areas of the worst devastation in the low-lying Irrawaddy delta.

At least 78,000 people were killed in the storm and 56,000 remain missing. European Union nations have warned that Myanmar's junta could be committing a crime against humanity by blocking aid intended for hundreds of thousands of survivors.

Ban arrived in Bangkok, the capital of neighboring Thailand, on Wednesday and was scheduled to fly to Yangon on Thursday. In Myanmar, he was expected to visit areas devastated by the cyclone and to talk with officials and aid workers.

He was also scheduled to attend a meeting of aid donors in Yangon on Sunday. Myanmar, one of the world's poorest nations, claims losses from the disaster exceeded $10 billion.

At U.N. headquarters, Ban welcomed the junta's "recent flexibility" in saying it will allow relief workers from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations - of which Myanmar is a member - to begin distributing aid.

[tngreen]

Myanmar, the next stop on the disaster capitalism tour. One can only imagine the free market "reforms" being demanded in return for aid. So the choice is starve now or starve later. One cannot blame their leaders for doing everything possible to resist accepting Western "aid."

[toolmangler-2009]

He went on to say that the US has itself refused help from other countries in times of need.
Posted by kennergirl at 10:23 PM : May 21, 2008



The main difference is that we have what is needed and can (but don''t get it to the people that need it) Take care of our own. It is time to stop helping the world and help our own. When the world comes to its senses then we might open our borders. In all honesty, we don''t need the world. This is simply the truth, if they don''t want us, leave them alone. We will be better for it....

[nothappyatall]

The People of Myanmar deserve better. The
Posted by Petro49L

Then let THEM overthrow the Govt, civil war or rise up and deal with their OWN country, we have ours, let them deal with theirs and change it.



STOP TRYING TO SHOVE HELP DOWN THEIR THROAT! S*C*R*E*W EM''''! PACK IT UP AND BRING IT HOME! I''''LL TAKE SOME OF IT! GEES!

Posted by trenticus


AGREED! this is one of the many reasons we are the most hated nation on the planet, we are busy bodies and nosey bodies, we even try to FORCE unwanted ''help'' on other countries and then slam them in the media when they refuse

CHINA''s economy is BOOMING big time, they are closer- let CHINA freaking provide aid to them!!!

[petro49l]

The American Marines only offer relief from a deadly storm. The Government of Myanmar should see the soldiers as aid workers. They are present to deliver medicine, food, water, and other essentials. It is a mission of peace.

[petro49l]

The People of Myanmar deserve better. The Rangoon Government should allow them the necessary items for after a storm strikes. This is merely a short term offer. There is no need for a political bargain.

[trenticus-2009]

AIR-DROP THE STUFF! WHAT ARE THE JUNTA GOING TO DO???? SHOOT SPIT WADS AT YA?

[trenticus-2009]

In all reality.. I feel sorry for the lost souls and suffering of these innocent citizens of a corrupt and unfeeling government!

[trenticus-2009]

STOP TRYING TO SHOVE HELP DOWN THEIR THROAT! S*C*R*E*W EM''! PACK IT UP AND BRING IT HOME! I''LL TAKE SOME OF IT! GEES!

[nothappyatall]

The United States, as well as France and Great Britain, have naval vessels loaded with humanitarian supplies off the Myanmar coast, and had been waiting for a green light to deliver them."

Phux em then, they dont deserve our help, we have PLENTY of our own citizens in THIS country who need and can use that aid, food and supplies, start with those who lost everything from KATRINA.

[cultusdeus]

This junta hasn''t cared its people up to now; why should they care about them suddenly because of storm? They haven''t engaged the world before either. Why should they now? Why is anyone remarkedly surprised at their behavior? If they don''t want people''s help, fine let the government suffer the consequences of its own people''s wrath. This may sound heartless but it''s the reality of the situation.