U.S. May Give Up On Aid To Myanmar

Secretary Gates Says Junta's Refusal Of Help For Cyclone Victims Amounts To "Criminal Neglect"

(AP)  Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday he will make a decision within "a matter of days" to withdraw U.S. Navy ships from the coast of Myanmar, because "it's becoming pretty clear the regime is not going to let us help."

As a result, he said many more people will die, particularly those in areas that can only be reached by helicopters, such as those sitting idle on the U.S. ships.

Asked if the military junta there is guilty of genocide, Gates said, "I tend to see genocide more as a purposeful elimination of people; is is more akin, in my view, to criminal neglect."

Speaking to reporters at the close of an international security conference here, Gates said the Myanmar representative at the forum did not seem interested in speaking with him. But, he said "it was interesting to watch as minister after minister described their respective unhappiness at their inability to get assistance in to Burma."

It was particularly pointed, he said, since Chinese officials thanked other countries for the help provided after the earthquake in China.

Still, Gates affirmed again that there is unanimous opposition in the international community to forcing aid to the Myanmar people suffering in the wake of the devastating cyclone that struck in early May.

"There is great sensitivity all over the world to violating a country's sovereignty," Gates said. "Particularly in the absence of some kind of U.N. umbrella that would authorize it." Asked if that sensitivity is linked to the controversy surrounding the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Gates said he has heard no one make that connection.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that even when the decision is made to pull the four U.S. Navy ships off the coast, the vessels will move away slowly enough to turn back if there is an unexpected change of heart by the Myanmar government.

Gates comments came a day after he made his strongest public condemnation of the Myanmar government at the conference, saying that Myanmar's rulers "have kept their hands in their pockets" while other countries sought to help cyclone victims.

The widespread displeasure with the Myanmar government was clear at the conference, coming up in nearly all conversations among leaders. Gates met with his top Pacific commander Saturday to discuss the timing of a U.S. Navy pullout. A final decision still has not been made.

Following the conference, Gates flew to Thailand on Sunday where large anti-government demonstrations threaten to lead to the country's second military coup in two years.

Gates said he was not concerned about the potentially difficult situation and that canceling his visit could cause more of a problem than continuing on. He said he would urge officials in Bangkok to reaffirm their commitment to a democratically elected government.

[feelfreee4u]

BrianBWB, you are as dumb as a box of rocks. Perhaps you need to change your drool bucket so it doesnt spill on the keyboard, you total dumbsh*it.

[wardoglrs]

The reason they dont want help is because the usa uses this aid as a weapon. How long are you people going to go on about your tax $ being thrown away''
Read your constitution and you will see clearly that congress does not have the authourity to give away tax payer''s $. You people blow me who insist on this kind of corruption, Your thinking is way off. And it will be no wonder that your nation is broke and dead in the water. Soon you all will be homeless and starving like the rest of the world. If you think im wrong then RESEARCH IT STUPID

[wardoglrs]

"Every man in this House knows it is not a debt. We cannot without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as charity. Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much money of our own as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week''s pay to the object, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks."

He took his seat. Nobody replied. The bill was put upon its passage, and, instead of passing unanimously, as was generally supposed, and as, no doubt, it would, but for that speech, it received but few votes, and, of course, was lost.

[deacon20081]

Just drop the danged supplies, already, to the people who need them. We (the US) flattened a nation for no good reason and have lost over 4,000 good citizens in the process, but we are afraid to drop aid to people who desparately need it? Who''''s running this show, Bush?

Posted by FireCEOs at 12:01 AM : Jun 02, 2008
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FEMA atta Boy Brownie!!!!!!!

[minnick8-2009]

. . . the US has offered aid, but the government of Myanmar doesn''''t trust the US government, and we must admit, they have been shown many reasons not to.
Posted by brianbwb

Yes, that is a very good reason to let their own people mire in filth and starve to death.

[genesis15-2009]

Why even waste our time giving aid to this tyrannical and ungrateful country?

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by who-cares4

You misunderstand the situation, the US has offered aid, but the government of Myanmar doesn''t trust the US government, and we must admit, they have been shown many reasons not to.

At this point the US is considered by many countries to be too dangerous to befriend, many are unwilling even to accept any offers of assistance that they do sorely need.

The US has become an unofficial pariah to many states that we will need to cooperate with in the future, and when the time comes, bombs and bullets will accomplish absolutely nothing.

[who-cares4]

now what a minute here,didnt we invade iraq to help the poor iraqis in which i never saw them suffering,but now we have these folks in Myanmar are SUFFERING AND DYING and the USA does nothing hahahaha.I guess Myanmar doesnt have any oil

[brianbwb-2009]

"Perhaps some of our government has no moral standing, but that does not reflect accurately upon the vast majority of citizens. Would you agree?" Posted by FireCEOs

Absolutely, but would also add that current US foreign policy, as conducted by those with absolutely no moral integrity, has made it impossible for anyone with a sense of morality to criticize the Myanmar government, all they have to rebuttal is "how come you don''t stop your own government from lying you into wars", and in reply, what would our answer be?

[fireceos]

Brian,

May I respectfully disagree? The US citizens have a lot of moral standing, with the exception of a few criminals here and there.

Perhaps some of our government has no moral standing, but that does not reflect accurately upon the vast majority of citizens. Would you agree?

[brianbwb-2009]

"Each carrier has three working hospitals, copters to bring people in for treatment, hot meals, and the ability to produce thousands of gallons of freshwater, which would definitely be useful." Posted by Edward1975

Not to mention spies, "terrorist" plants, agitators, and others who would assist in the toppling of the Myanmar rulers.

They are no angels, but we have absolutely no moral standing to condemn them.

[edward1975-2009]

The junta wants money, which will never make it to the intended people. It''s a shame that the Burma junta won''t utilize the offer of help, especially if we are sending carriers in the region. Each carrier has three working hospitals, copters to bring people in for treatment, hot meals, and the ability to produce thousands of gallons of freshwater, which would definitely be useful.

[sistatee-2009]

I hope I never hear of Myanmar, ever again.

[fireceos]

Just drop the danged supplies, already, to the people who need them. We (the US) flattened a nation for no good reason and have lost over 4,000 good citizens in the process, but we are afraid to drop aid to people who desparately need it? Who''s running this show, Bush?

[j-whitman]

CBS_Oliver,,, White House Cuts & Runs from a dictatorship supported by McCain lobbyist --- How''s that for Bush''s legacy ???

[dobbershome]

Give it to the poor and hungry here in the United States. I''m sure there wouldn''t be a problem finding people that could use food,water and medicals supplies being provided by this country.

[h5mind]

I''m sure it''s disappointing to the former residents of New Orleans and surrounding areas to know our government tried much harder to bring food, water and medical assistance to disaster victims half a world apart than they did for their own citizens ten minutes away by helicopter.

[feelfree4u]

We are in Afghanistan and Iraq, and plenty of people are starving in both countries, and lack access to clean drinking water.

What is your sorry excuse for that, Mr. Gates?

[hunterdon6]

If all this aid was given to Burma without international people to distribute it, all the food and relief material would end up in the generals hands and the people who need it would get nothing. The people have to suffer for the greed of their government. Sounds like here in the U.S.

[feelfree4u]

People of Burma,

We have shiploads of genetically modified Franken-food for you. All we ask in return is to be allowed to "liberate" your natural resources from you.