Posted on 05/09/2008 5:23:37 AM PDT by Red in Blue PA
YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- Authorities in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar have seized United Nations aid intended for victims of the disaster, a move that "shuts down" future flights from the organization, according to a U.N. World Food Program official.
A child sleeps on the floor as cyclone-affected families shelter in a school in western Yangon.
1 of 3more photos » The organization, which insists on distributing its own relief supplies, said the seizure of two aircraft-loads of food, medcine and equipment, has already hit out at Myanmar's refusal to all access to foreign eis workers.
"This is another example of them actively getting in the way of relief getting to the victims," said Tony Banbury, Asia director of the World Food Program.
Asked whether, the move would jeopardize future U.N. aid flights, he said, "absolutely, from our perspective, it shuts them down."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Now there’s a regime that needs some change! Pronto!
How do I move this to Breaking News? If this doesn’t qualify, I don’t know what does.
100,000 people dead and the country’s rulers refuse aid.......never thought I would see it.
The generals want the supplies for the army and to sell to the victims. If they cannot profit greatly from it then it isn’t worth the trouble, especially as the recipients will know that it comes from someone other than the generals. they are socialists and do not care even a little whether a hundred thousand more will die from lack of food and water and medicines. People exist for the good of the state and nothing else.
At this point it would be more humane to the survivors to just bomb the living hell out of every government and military target we could find. They would be no worse off for it and might actually receive some aid.
The junta is culling the herd...
Wow. Imagine that. I guess its time for the U.S. to be called on once again to do a massive relief air drop.
I did not expect the rulers there to allow distribution of anything by anyone other than themselves. They are somewhat similar in outlook to the fellow in North Korea. China is also surely leaning on them to not allow any foreigners into the country.
The people of Burma don't deserve to be the people of Burma.
Time to airdrop food with leaflets.
If any people are left alive after their government gets done it will be amazing. They are now saying up to 500,000 could die as a result of the storm and their government actions/inaction.
Air drops will be chased down by the army and civilians who try to get the dropped supplies will be arrested or shot.
Spot on!
I would imagine they are still celebrating the fact that Mother Nature, cleaned their streets.
The question is what will the world do?
I would imagine reward them with a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council.
leaflets would be a death sentence to anyone caught with one and probably for his family also.
This is yet another failure of the UN. Just what do we have the UN for other than coddle criminals?
Air drop some guns and ammo.
THE death toll in cyclone-ravaged Burma could hit 500,000 – more than TWICE the total killed by the Boxing Day Tsunami.
Last night’s warning came as it emerged that 17 Britons, including ex-pats and backpackers, were still missing.
Sources said 200,000 people were already dead or dying.
But the figure could rise to HALF A MILLION through disease and hunger if the nation’s hardline army rulers continue to block aid for the devastated lowlands of the Irrawaddy Delta.
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The UN ordered them to take aid, now they're seizing it. A real theater of folly.
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