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Gates: Junta Aid Delays Killed Thousands

Defense Secretary slams 'deaf and dumb' Burmese rulers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2008 6:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Tens of thousands of Burmese have died because of their government's refusal to allow in foreign aid after Cyclone Nargis, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday. Gates accused the military leaders of being "deaf and dumb" to the plight of their people, Reuters reports. American ships in the region have not been allowed to deliver relief supplies to Burma.

Gates' blunt condemnation of the generals came as aid workers warned that Burma was evicting survivors from relief centers and forcing them back to the devastated Irrawaddy Delta to rebuild. One man evicted from a relief camp said he had been given 20 bamboo poles and some tarpaulins to go back and build a new home for him and his five siblings.

A US helicopter carries supplies in their air during a US military demonstration in eastern Thailand of its aid-giving capabilities, Saturday, May 31, 2008.
A US helicopter carries supplies in their air during a US military demonstration in eastern Thailand of its aid-giving capabilities, Saturday, May 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
A man looks out at damaged roof sections being used to gather storm water into large jugs in Pyinmagon village on an island in Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta, Thursday, May 29, 2008.
A man looks out at damaged roof sections being used to gather storm water into large jugs in Pyinmagon village on an island in Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta, Thursday, May 29, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A monk speaks to homeless Burmese lining up to receive candy from an overseas donator at a temporary shelter for cyclone victims on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.
A monk speaks to homeless Burmese lining up to receive candy from an overseas donator at a temporary shelter for cyclone victims on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Cyclone survivors queue for the rice from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Cyclone survivors queue for the rice from the local donator at a monastery on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo)
In this image made available in London by the democratic Voice of Burma, troops are transported by truck through Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday May 22, 2008.
In this image made available in London by the democratic Voice of Burma, troops are transported by truck through Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday May 22, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Two U.S. marines stand next to boxes of supplies aid to be airlifted to Myanmar at Utaphao Naval Base in Rayong province, eastern Thailand Saturday, May 31, 2008.
Two U.S. marines stand next to boxes of supplies aid to be airlifted to Myanmar at Utaphao Naval Base in Rayong province, eastern Thailand Saturday, May 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
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Cyclone survivors told to go home and eat frogs
Telegraph (UK)

UN tells Burma it is endangering its people
Bangkok Post (Thailand)

 
Robert Gates • cyclone • aid • Myanmar • Burma • junta • Cyclone Nargis • Irrawaddy Delta

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