Announcement

**Badgerinmaine** · 05-12-2008, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the post, Kiwon--even if the news is outrageous and horrible.

**Kiwon** · 05-13-2008, 06:52 AM

Here is a news story that confirms much was what I mentioned yesterday.

Myanmar regime accused of hoarding cyclone aid

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) The United Nations said Tuesday that only a tiny portion of international aid needed for Myanmar's cyclone victims is making it into the country, amid reports that the military regime is hoarding good-quality foreign aid for itself and doling out rotten food.

The country's isolated military regime has agreed to accept relief shipments from the U.N. and foreign countries, but has largely refused entry to aidworkers who might distribute the aid.

Two U.S. planes have already delivered aid to the country, and, in an apparent broadening of the initial agreement, the government seemed willing to allow future shipments.

But logistical bottlenecks, poor infrastructure and the junta's restrictions have delayed the distribution of the aid, which is piling up at the airport in Yangon.

"There is obviously still a lot of frustration that this aid effort hasn't picked up pace" 10 days after the cyclone hit, said Richard Horsey, the spokesman of the U.N. humanitarian operation in Bangkok, Thailand.

Cyclone Nargis devastated the country's Irrawaddy delta on May 3, leaving about 62,000 people dead or missing, according to the government count. The U.N. has suggested the death toll is likely to be more than 100,000.

With their homes washed away and large tracts of land under water, some 2 million survivors — mostly poor rice farmers — are living in abject misery, facing disease and starvation.

The U.N. said the World Food Program is only getting in 20 percent of the food needed.

"That is a characterization of the program as a whole. We are not reaching enough people quickly enough," Horsey told The Associated Press.

The survivors are packed into Buddhist monasteries or camped in the open, drinking dirty water contaminated by dead bodies and animal carcasses. Food and medicines are scarce.

The military — which has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1962 — has taken control of most aid sent by other countries including the United States.

The regime told a U.S. military commander who delivered the first American shipment on Monday that basic needs of the storm victims are being fulfilled and "skillful humanitarian workers are not necessary."

But the junta's words and actions have only served to back up complaints that the military is appropriating the aid for itself.

A longtime foreign resident in Yangon told the AP in Bangkok that angry government officials have complained to him about the misappropriation of the aid by the military.

He said the officials told him that quantities of the high-energy biscuits rushed into Myanmar by the WFP on its first flights were sent to a military warehouse.

They were exchanged by what the officials said were "tasteless and low quality" biscuits produced by the Industry Ministry to be handed out to cyclone victims, the foreign resident said.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because revealing his identity would jeopardize his safety.

He said it was not known what's happening to the high quality food — whether it is sold on the black market or consumed by the military.

The government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But the claim appeared to be backed up on the ground.

CARE Australia's country director in Myanmar, Brian Agland, said members of his local staff brought back some of the rotting rice that's being distributed in the delta.

"I have a small sample in my pocket, and it's some of the poorest quality rice we've seen," he said. "It's affected by salt water and it's very old."

It's unclear whether the rice, which is dark gray in color and consists of very small grains, is coming from the government or from mills in the area or warehouses hit by the cyclone.

"We were using food from the World Food Program, which is very high quality," Agland said by telephone from Yangon. "Certainly, we are concerned that (poor quality rice) is being distributed. The level of nutrition is very low."

The foreign resident also said that several businessmen have been told to make "donations" in cash of a minimum of $1,800 to the government to aid cyclone victims. Companies approached include jade mining concerns in Hpakant, restaurants and construction companies in Yangon, he said.

The authoritarian junta has barred nearly all foreigners experienced in managing such catastrophes from going to the delta — an area west of Yangon — and is expelling those who have managed to go in.

Jean-Sebastien Matte, an emergency coordinator with Medecins Sans Frontieres, said his foreign staff have repeatedly been forced to return to Yangon from the delta.

"We can go for two days and then we have to come back," he said. "We're able to do 100 or 200 consultations a day but we should be doing 1,000."

Armed police checkpoints were set up outside Yangon on the roads to the delta, and all foreigners were being sent back by policemen who took down their names and passport numbers.

"No foreigners allowed," a policeman said Tuesday after waving a car back.

After its first aid delivery on Monday, the United States sent in one more cargo plane Tuesday with 19,900 pounds of blankets, water and mosquito netting. A third flight was to take in a 24,750-pound load.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Douglas Powell said the situation remains fluid, but flights were expected to continue after Tuesday, which appears to broaden the original agreement for three flights on Monday and Tuesday.

Yangon was pounded by heavy rain Monday and more downpours were expected throughout the week, further hindering aid deliveries.

But for many, the rainwater was the only source of clean drinking water.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_as/myanmar

**Harlan Huckleby** · 05-13-2008, 11:16 AM

Re: MYANMAR

Originally posted by texaspackerbacker

It would be interesting to hear the opinions on this of some of you who have so much disdain for the American Way--and who talk about "stuffing it down people's throats"--and who can't stand the idea that our way of life is greatly superior to basically everybody else's.

I'm not sure what your point is, if any. Where are the liberals who are soft on Myanmar? That country has been a cause of human rights advocates for years, This lady has been a hero of the left for 25 years.

Is our life greatly superior everyone's? How about Ireland? Their economy is booming. They invested heavily in education, and their kids are smarter and more productive than ours. Everyone has quality health care. They have successfully combined capitalism and socialism.

**The Leaper** · 05-13-2008, 11:45 AM

The debacle in Burma really only is evidence of the utter erectile disfunction that is the United Nations. Honestly...what good is the UN for these days? It chooses to allow some power-obsessed ruling junta to prevent aid from reaching those affected by a crisis?

There should be a world-wide show of force on the shores of Burma so fast that the ruling junta would quickly rethink their foolish position and allow aid to freely flow to an area that desperately needs it.

**Freak Out** · 05-13-2008, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by The Leaper

The debacle in Burma really only is evidence of the utter erectile disfunction that is the United Nations. Honestly...what good is the UN for these days? It chooses to allow some power-obsessed ruling junta to prevent aid from reaching those affected by a crisis?

There should be a world-wide show of force on the shores of Burma so fast that the ruling junta would quickly rethink their foolish position and allow aid to freely flow to an area that desperately needs it.

The UN is only as tough as it's member nations want it to be. Period.

**Harlan Huckleby** · 05-13-2008, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by The Leaper

The debacle in Burma really only is evidence of the utter erectile disfunction that is the United Nations. Honestly...what good is the UN for these days? It chooses to allow some power-obsessed ruling junta to prevent aid from reaching those affected by a crisis?

I am very much in favor of creating a league of democracies.

I don't see it as a replacement for the U.N., more as a goad. I suppose a lot of people who want to create such an organization are right-wingers looking to undermine the U.N., but I don't see it that way.

We need a U.N., they quietly do a lot of good work, where politics allow. But we also need a reminder to distinguish and honor countries that are more legitimate. And the democracies might be willing to take actions that would otherwise be blocked by thuggish countries like China & Russia.

**Harlan Huckleby** · 05-13-2008, 11:59 AM

McCain Favors a 'League of Democracies'
Apr 30 By LIZ SIDOTI

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain envisions a "League of Democracies" as part of a more cooperative foreign policy with U.S. allies.
The Arizona senator will call for such an organization to be "the core of an international order of peace based on freedom" in a speech Tuesday at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.

"We Americans must be willing to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies," McCain says, according to excerpts his campaign provided. "Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom, knowledge and resources necessary to succeed."

"To be a good leader, America must be a good ally," he adds in the speech, another in a series of policy addresses as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

Such comments offer a contrast to President Bush, who critics contend has employed a stubborn, go-it-alone foreign policy that has dramatically damaged the U.S. image abroad.

McCain is careful to note that his proposed multinational organization would not be like Woodrow Wilson's failed "League of Nations." Rather, McCain says the organization would be far more similar to what Theodore Roosevelt favored—a group of "like-minded nations working together in the cause of peace."

"It could act where the U.N. fails to act," McCain says.

Such a new body, he says, could help relieve suffering in Darfur, fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa, develop better environmental policies, and provide "unimpeded market access" to countries sharing "the values of economic and political freedom."

And, McCain adds, an organization of democracies could pressure tyrants "with or without Moscow's and Beijing's approval" and could "impose sanctions on Iran and thwart its nuclear ambitions" while helping struggling democracies succeed.

Recalling Harry S. Truman's actions during the Cold War, McCain also urges a similar "massive overhaul of the nation's foreign policy, defense and intelligence agencies" to meet the world's current challenges. He says details will come later.

**texaspackerbacker** · 05-13-2008, 01:19 PM

Good posting, both Leaper and Harlan.

The very very few times that the UN has EVER been any kind of a positive force in its whole history have been when it has been a tool for American compassion and interventionism. A League of Democracies would, indeed, be a good thing, as it would serve to share the load in promoting good, without the obstruction and harm done by the solid majority of third world countries as well as the remnants of Communism and socialism in the world.

Consider the Obama approach to foreign policy in comparison to McCain's: giving legitimacy by negotiating with the worst of the worst evildoers in the world, emasculating American power and dominance--and thus, our ability to promote good.

**Freak Out** · 05-13-2008, 01:57 PM

So would this replace NATO with a wider group of global governments? Who's going to get to join? Iraq? Russia? Venezuela? Pakistan? Can any democracy sign up? Oh....details to come later.

**Harlan Huckleby** · 05-13-2008, 02:27 PM