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Blocked US Ships Will Abandon Myanmar Aid

Junta refuses aid 15 times

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2008 6:04 AM CDT
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(Newser) – US warships laden with aid for Burmese cyclone survivors will sail out of the region tomorrow still carrying their loads, Reuters reports. Burma's military junta has refused 15 requests to allow American forces to deliver aid supplies to the disaster zone, according to the admiral in charge of the operation.

"I am both saddened and frustrated to know that we have been in a position to help ease the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people and help mitigate further loss of life, but have been unable to do so because of the unrelenting position of the Burma military junta," the admiral said.

Marines aboard the USS Essex, a helicopter landing ship, fill five gallon water bags Sunday, May 11, 2008, in preparation for possible distribution to victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
Marines aboard the USS Essex, a helicopter landing ship, fill five gallon water bags Sunday, May 11, 2008, in preparation for possible distribution to victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.   (AP Photo/US Navy, MC3 Gabriel S. Weber)
The USS Essex , center, and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group steam in formation, Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Andaman Sea.
The USS Essex , center, and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group steam in formation, Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Andaman Sea.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Office Ty Swartz)
In this May 22, 2008 file photo, a village damaged by Cyclone Nargis on May 22, 2008 is seen in an aerial view over the Irrawaddy delta.
In this May 22, 2008 file photo, a village damaged by Cyclone Nargis on May 22, 2008 is seen in an aerial view over the Irrawaddy delta.   (AP Photo/Stan Honda, Pool, file)
Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit remove cargo nets from pallets of of food, water and emergency supplies to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex.
Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit remove cargo nets from pallets of of food, water and emergency supplies to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, MC2 David Didier)
The USS Essex , and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group steam in formation off the coast of Burma, Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Andaman Sea.
The USS Essex , and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group steam in formation off the coast of Burma, Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Andaman Sea.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Office Ty Swartz)
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aid • relief • Myanmar • Burma • military junta • disaster zones • warship • Cyclone Nargis • Irrawaddy Delta

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