Posted on 05/21/2008 8:18:43 AM PDT by khnyny
YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar shunned a U.S. proposal for naval ships to deliver aid to cyclone victims today, 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," citing 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Well, let’sleave then. They won’t let us help, they won’t take aid (except to keep it themselves and sell it for profit), so why stay?
Bunkers allow the US a cost-effective and low casualty way to take out the enemy.
I expect the liberals to start screaming that we would be in there saving people if Burma had oil.
Oh, yes...your tinpot, backwater, resource-poor, junta-controlled, pesthole, dirt-eating cat box of a nation is such a prize, that America, which hasn't enlarged itself in half a century despite a World War and two major military actions in oil-rich nations, is going to undertake to spill our blood fighting for freaking Burma. You are suffering from delusions of adequacy.
I agree. I find it embarrassing that President Bush is literally begging a turd world regime to let us help. If it was me, I would simply state that we'll give any and all aid that is requested. If they want it, that's fine. If they don't, then oh well.
You would think Burma would take a cue from China with regard to receiving international disaster relief... although I think China is just playing nice in that department so it can buy some good press for the Olympics.
President Bush isn’t “begging”, but he is trying to do the right thing, like some other world leaders in this situation.
Myanmar has oil? What the hell are we waiting for?!
where’s the outrage from the aclu, amnesty international,
guantanamo waterboarding, u.s. university professors ... socialists?
are not these humans being deprived of their natural rights?
FWIW, Samaritan’s Purse has people on the ground in Myanmar. I asked them about it a couple of days ago, and here is the response I received:
On behalf of Franklin Graham, thank you for contacting Samaritan’s Purse about our work in Myanmar. We are happy to respond to your question.
God has opened doors for 11 of our staff to be on the ground in Myanmar. Three of our staff arrived just 2 days after the cyclone hit, and these staff have been able to purchase relief supplies in the country to distribute through our extensive network of church partners. Our team in Myanmar has been delighted to find that the church in that country is very strong, and despite media reports, the government officials have been very organized in the receiving and distributing of relief items.
We have sent 3 cargo planes loaded with emergency supplies, many of which were specifically requested by the Minister of Health in Myanmar. Our staff have been working very closely with this official since they arrived, and he is trying to obtain permission for church leaders to be able to distribute and implement aid items. Meanwhile, our staff is training over 300 volunteers in basic health and hygiene and how to use PuR water kits to filter water. We have sent over 9,000 of these packets to help provide clean water for families.
Thank you again for taking time to write. Please continue to pray for our teams in Myanmar as they seek to bring relief with the purpose of demonstrating God’s love through Jesus Christ. If you have other questions, feel free to contact me directly. May God bless you.
It is a very sad situation but ...
... it is not our problem.
“What’s wrong with Communism?” - Code Pink
Also, a staff of 11 (eleven) people on the ground in this type of massive catastrophe is laughable.
Predominantly that is happening in the low-level war against the Karen people, many of whom are Christian. While there is a religious component, it is primarily a war of conquest and control of natural resources which are licensed out to China and Thailand. The Bamar-Karen conflict has been going on since the 60's at least. I have seen several Christian churches in Rangoon, they seem to get along as well as anyone else there.
Well, we’ve offered help and they won’t take it. Time to pack up our stuff and go home.
SP has been around a long time, and have excellent connections with Christian relief organizations, and a few people who know the right contacts (usually churches) can achieve great things.
It's not laughable in the least...
..it is a blessing.
Take a chill pill. I’m not griping about the Christian organization. I’m griping that these thugs who happen to be in control only let in eleven people.
Does that meet with your approval?/s
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