Chiang Mai - Freedom fighters and veteran politicians urged the Burmese junta today to allow aid workers and disaster management experts into the country to get adequate aid for cyclone victims.
The statement was made after they heard that relief materials have not yet reached remote cyclone ravaged areas even a month. Thakin Thein Pe turns 93 today.
"It is being heard that cyclone aid is not adequate despite the government's utmost efforts. The government should work for effective and adequate relief efforts for these hapless victims and should not forcibly close the door," Thakin Thein Pe said at his birthday party held at his residence in Rangoon today.
The birthday party was attended by political veterans such as Thakin (master) Hla Kun, Thakin Hla Myint, Thakin Thein Maung, Thakin Chan Tun and the top leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) such as U Soe Myint, U Nyunt Wai, U Myint Thein, and other renowned politicians namely U Thu Wai and U Win Naing among others accounting for about 100 guests.
The veteran politicians criticized the government saying that the current situation in Burma is worse than the pre-independence era. There is more violence and oppression, and the country is still far away from independence, peace, democracy, national unity and development which have been the aspiration of freedom fighters of their time.
The freedom fighters and their colleagues also issued a statement on May 22 which urged the government to take lessons from the exemplary role of Indonesia in its Tsunami disaster management. The Indonesian government gave free access to international aid agencies and relief experts to the disaster struck areas in 2004 though there were some domestic political problems in the country.
Thakin Chan Tun (87) said that they wish the government becomes flexible and adopts a softer attitude. The government usually does not take the veterans' statements and appeals seriously.
"We send all our statements and appeals to the government. We will urge the government about what they should do along with the international community. We notice the current military leadership doesn't care for anyone and do as they wish. We are waiting to see a change in their attitude to a softer and more flexible position.
According to a government report appearing in the state-run media, there are 569 international aid workers from the UN, INGOs and individuals now into relief work.
The UN said that it would take at least six months of relief work in cyclone ravaged Irrawaddy delta region. But the government said the emergency rescue and relief work is over in that area and it is now working on reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile the 'Tripartite Core Group' (TCG) reached remote villages in Irrawaddy delta region and said that the villages still need aid. TCG comprises of UN, ASEAN and Burmese government officials and they are now carrying out a survey and up-to-date joint assessment in the delta region.
Relief Web
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