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Wednesday, May 07, 2008 2:32 PM
Subject: ZalengamNet Denial of Aid Access Could Harm Burmese Regime
Denial of Aid Access Could Harm Burmese Regime
Chinland Guardian
7 April 2008: Continued denial of aid access to storm devastated areas of
Burma could harm the military regime, Chin Human Rights Organization
warned
yesterday in a statement. International agencies and aid workers have
reportedly not been granted the necessary visas to help in the relief and
rescue operations, five days after a powerful storm hit southern Burma
that,
according to the UN, may have claimed more than 60, 000 lives.
"Any delay in allowing aid access to Burma could serve to further
undermine
the regime's own image and credibility with the Burmese citizens," says
Salai Bawi Lian Mang, Executive Director of Chin Human Rights
Organization.
"This is not a time to play the usual political games because it is about
the lives of hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens," he adds.
Meanwhile the regime has declared that it will go ahead with the
constitutional referendum slated for Sunday, May 10. But the vote has been
put on hold for areas affected by the storm.
Yesterday the Ethnic Nationalities Council, Burma's largest ethnic
opposition grouping, demanded the military junta to postpone the
referendum
altogether, saying that the people of Burma should not be forced to decide
their future in the midst of such enormous devastation. "While the country
is still in mourning, and the families and friends need to perform ritual
for the souls of death victims according to tradition," the ENC said in a
statement.
While commending relief assistance and monetary pledge offered by the
international community, Chin Human Rights Organization emphasized the
need
for more longer term humanitarian commitments and assistance towards the
recovery and reconstruction process in Burma.
About Us
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Covering Social and Politial Issues of Chin people and Burma
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Chinland Guardian is an independent, internet-based news agency committed
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providing reliable news and current issues about Chinland and Burma
through
a balanced, objective and professional reporting.
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