Cyclone in Myanmar: Nature’s big threat to the ruling junta?
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With the death toll from Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar last Saturday, now surpassing 22,000, the “number of people reported missing has risen to 41,000″ and millions “are still without water and electricity.” (Radio Netherlands) The catastrophic effects of the natural disaster have put the country’s military dictators on the spot. Last September, they showed the world what a good job they could do cracking down on the human rights and freedom of speech of their own people. Now, the chargé d’affaires at the United States embassy in Yangon (Rangoon) told a National Public Radio interviewer yesterday, the junta’s troops have not been especially visible and have not appeared to be taking a leading role in clean-up and relief efforts. Although “[m]any countries and international organizations have pledged aid” to help storm-ravaged Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), “including the United States, Australia and the European Union,” getting into the country to distribute relief aid has not been easy. “Myanmar’s military regime is now allowing emergency aid from the United Nations into the country, although it is not clear whether aid workers will also be admitted.” (Radio Netherlands)
admin @ May 7, 2008