HEADLINES:
R/€ Refusing aid 'is criminal neglect'
June 02, 2008 Edition 2
BANGKOK: More people would perish in Myanmar's cyclone disaster zone unless the regime lifted restrictions on foreign aid, United States defence secretary Robert Gates warned yesterday, accusing the junta of "criminal neglect".
Nearly a month after the storm, about 60% of the 2.4 million survivors remained without foreign aid, despite some easing of restrictions by the military rulers after an intense UN-led diplomatic push.
The junta blocked entry to overseas aid workers in the days after Cyclone Nargis pummelled the impoverished nation on May 2 and May 3, leaving 133 000 people dead or missing.
"Unless the regime changes its approach, its policy, more people will die," Gates said en route to Bangkok after a regional security forum in Singapore.
"I would describe it as criminal neglect."
Gates, who earlier said Myanmar's initial delays could have cost tens of thousands of lives, added that the US would decide within days whether to recall four US Navy ships waiting to deliver aid.
He said it was "becoming pretty clear" the junta would not accept military help from the US, which has been a fierce critic of the regime.
Four ships have been been off the coast of Myanmar for more than two weeks with a dozen helicopters, landing craft and Marines, but have been refused permission to use them to distribute relief.
Malaysia's deputy prime minister, Najib Razak, speaking at the same forum in Singapore, urged the regime to accept military helicopters and rubber boats from its south-east Asian neighbours. "The only organisation that can be effective in terms of disaster relief operations is the military," Najib said.
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