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Monks prevented from working with other donors Reporting by Naw Say Phaw May 16, 2008 (DVB)–A Mandalay abbot involved in aid efforts in Rangoon said the authorities have tried to prevent his group working with non-governmental organisations, and have said all aid must go through local officials. In more than ten days since Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, the military regime has still not provided effective assistance to cyclone victims. Social services, celebrities from the Burmese film industry and monks have been helping people in the worst-affected areas by donating food and other supplies. However, those who work on relief efforts have been told by the authorities not to cooperate with the monks and donors have been directed to channel their financial contributions through the division commander. snip english.dvb.no
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Kachin Christian volunteers stopped from helping cyclone victims
Friday, 16 May 2008
In what is in an inhuman act on the part of the Burmese military junta, it has prohibited Rangoon based Kachin Christian youth volunteers from leaving for Cyclone Nargis devastated areas in Irrawaddy Delta in southern Burma to help victims, Rangoon Christian sources said.
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kachinnews.com
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Regime Cronies Win Contracts for Cyclone Reconstruction Work
By MIN LWIN
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Burmese military regime is reportedly giving companies run by its cronies lucrative contracts to reconstruct areas flattened by cyclone Nargis.
The 43 companies entrusted with the reconstruction work include such regime-friendly enterprises as the Asia World Company, Htoo Trading, the Eden Group, Max Myanmar and Shwe Thanlwin.
Residents help to rebuild a road damaged from the flood on the outskirts of Rangoon. (Photo: AP) snip
Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein said on Thursday that the first phase of bringing relief to the victims of the cyclone had been completed and the second phase, reconstruction, was now beginning.
irrawaddy.org
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The Junta’s Helping Hand
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
HARN LAY / THE IRRAWADDY
irrawaddy.org
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China Backs Myanmar in Resisting Demands to Take Aid (Update3)
By Demian McLean
May 17 (Bloomberg) -- China is backing Myanmar as it resists pressure from the U.S. and other nations to admit more relief workers and supplies to help as many as 2.5 million cyclone victims at risk of disease and hunger.
Other countries must show ``due respect'' to Myanmar, said Wang Baodong, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, at a briefing yesterday. ``Myanmar is a sovereign country. In the end, rescue and relief work will have to rely on the Myanmar government and people.''
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bloomberg.com
mid : you imbecile , showing due respect to the people of Burma would be assisting them in their time of need .
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France criticizes Myanmar for refusing navy ship to deliver aid
Sat, 17 May 2008
France criticized Myanmar's military junta on Friday for refusing to allow a French navy ship with 1,500 tons of relief supplies for victims of Cyclone Nargis to deliver the food and medicine directly by small boats and helicopters to the devastated Irrawaddy Delta region.
France's UN Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said the ship would be in international waters within sight of the Irrawaddy Delta on Saturday, and he warned that the military government's refusal to allow aid to be delivered to people in need or in danger "could lead to a true crime against humanity."
snip
tv3.co.nz
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U.S. Lawmakers Call for Intervention in Myanmar, AFP Reports
By Chen Shiyin
May 17 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. lawmakers asked President George W. Bush to consider intervening in Myanmar, which has limited foreign aid to cyclone victims, Agence France-Presse said, citing a letter by 43 members of the House of Representatives.
snip
bloomberg.com
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Govt urge public to make donations to help cyclone victims
May 17, 2008
The PM's Office Minister Friday set up two centers to receive public donations to help Burmese people affected by Cyclone Nargis.
Julayuth Hiranyawasit, permanent secretary for PM's Office, said one of the center was opened at the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue and the other one at the Finance Division of the PM's Office.
The public can give donations at the centres form 8 am to 6 pm starting Saturday.
He said members of the public can also credit Krung Thai Bank's account 067-0-04241-2.
He said the government would like the public to donate small tractors, water pumps and construction materials to help the cyclone victims.
nationmultimedia.com
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