Gizmodo
Emergency communications kits destined to help the clear-up of the Burmese cyclone have been held up by the Asian country's military junta. A five-man team from NGO Telecoms Sans Frontieres has been waiting all week for its entry visas from the turds powers that be of the brutal regime. And, until the visas are issued, over 175 pounds of vital equipment will stay right where it is, in a Thai warehouse.
As well as printers, PCs, scanners, cellphones and laptops, the kits contain a large VSAT satellite dish, two satellite phones, including a mobile device, routers and access points, wireless relays, GPS, power packs that include car batteries and solar panels. Primary connection is provided by an AsBGan satellite link, with a Gan M4 giving back-up.
The gear will be used by both aid workers and any locals affected by the disaster who need to get in touch with friends or family. However, despite continuing diplomatic efforts, the generals are refusing to allow foreign aid workers into the country to help the estimated 1.5 million Burmese caught up in the tragedy. "There is a lot of frustration among aid workers," says a TSF spokesman. "We want to help the people of Burma but the authorities aren't letting us do our job." [BBC News and NY Times]
Comments
The Burmese Government is probably afraid the comm eqmt get "misused" for political purposes.
It is really unacceptable that the Burmese Government is more interested in their Referendum than providing aids to the millions affected by the Cyclone (much worse than Katherina).
Humanity has hit a new low . . .
:-(
this is so pathetic... that these people are left to die because of their shitty ass government. Makes me sick just thinking about it.
We must invade and liberate Burma :D
The big issue here with the Burmese Junta is that, now that their country is in crisis, and they obviously are inadequately prepared, they are more vulnerable to political attack now than ever. Even if it means starving thousands of their people, they will maintain their grip on power.
@floydian:
beat me to it
Their fear of political attack causes them to lay siege to their own people.
Hmmm...
Please excuse me while I sit and explore my thoughts. OK I'm back... DUMMIES.
What the f*** is wrong with people?
The reason is simple really. Burmese Junta really want to hold their power and they don't want foreigner sticking their noses on Referendum. Their message is clear, they want the aid but not the aid workers since they don't want foreign aid worker to know where the aids are going.
I really hate the Junta, I want U.S. or other countries to invade my country but it will not happen since China and Russia are always against it. Since Burma is near China, they don't want Capitalism to gain power in their neighboring country. I still have hope though.
Can anyone say crimes against humanity? [en.wikipedia.org]
Why haven't they been pursued in the ICC or something?
Not to mention the fact that I don't see why anyone is respecting their sovereignty. The UN should be flying over the countryside dropping emergency aid packages with parachutes regardless of if the junta likes it or not.
@ Jcrockerman
I take it back. Looked into it and it turns out they don't have oil or anything else worth "liberating". Go ahead with your plan :)
@GizmoBub: It will create riots over foods and water. For medical supplies they don't know how to use it since they are poor farmer and don't know how to read or write in Burmese. Not to mention English.
@floydian: what for? there's no oil there.
@GizmoBub:
They are actually using these aid as a propaganda measures before their referendum.
[news.yahoo.com]
Slow in letting aids coming in is one thing but SEIZING the aid that's arrived and actually TOOK THE DAMN TIME to plaster everything with THEIR name as a propaganda as opposed to distribute the aid RIGHT AWAY is just too much... f that government
@GizmoBub: Ya then the government takes it and hides it in a warehose...the people will never get to use the whats sent .
@geel: I do agree that the junta would try to round all of it up but in the end, if the supplies are dropped over formerly populated areas (since they're dying over there) there will still be more of a chance of it reaching the hands of the citizens than if supplies are given to the junta. And it's one thing to prevent the aid from coming in but another to actually take it away from people once they have it...
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that TSF will be pretty much the last org let in (if at all). Free communications are a direct threat to the junta.
~
And while the jokes above are apropos - if the Bush Admin ever really gave a shit about freedom and democracy, Burma would have been #1 on the to do list - Burma also illustrates the moral dangers of doing nothing. I'm not advocating an invasion, but it is a goddamn crime that the world has let the Burmese people suffer under this military dictatorship. I'd like to think that its refusal of aid is proof enough of that.
The list of sins of omission these cock-knockers have perpetuated against the peoples of this world is long enough already. Why the fuck not invade? We're talking about a mission to prevent the deaths of tens of thousands of people. How many people have died around the world while this country has been dicking around before deciding to get involved to stop this type of thing? We've got a lot of nerve preaching to the world about what's right and wrong.
/rant
@HoseHead:
Yes there is. Lots of it.
And since it's western companies that do well out of it that's why we're helping to prop up a corrupt regime.
As opposed to invading them when we don't have a stake in their output.
So who sucks more? The brutal government that oppresses their people or the people who allow their companies and corporations to help them so they can have cheaper gas?
Because, you know, that's actually us.
Start a discussion:
Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?