Burma must accept aid without restrictions, says MEP

A leading MEP has called for the international communityto act in order to “force” the military regime in Burma (Myanmar)to waive restrictions on aid for victims of Friday’scyclone.

UK Socialist deputy Glenys Kinnock said that unless the severeconditions on aid are eased, the disaster death toll, which isalready estimated at up to 22,000, will rise “dramatically”.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Kinnock, who is patron for theBurma campaign in the UK, appealed for the international community,particularly Burma’s neighbours India, Thailand and China, toensure the regime accepts international assistance withoutrestrictions.

"It is clear that Burma is suffering a major humanitarian disasteron an unprecedented scale. Twenty-four million of the world’spoorest people are affected, with an estimated up to 22,000 alreadydead," she said.

"Four days into the crisis there is no food, no clean water, and noshelter. Humanitarian assessment is underway but there are nohelicopters or planes in place ready to deliver assistance.

"Burma’s military regime has said that it will welcomeinternational assistance but it hasn't said which of its severerestrictions on humanitarian access it will lift, for instance,rigid rules on visas.

"A minister in the military junta remains adamant that aid agencieswill need to negotiate access with military officials and the UN isapparently been told they must only work with government-ownedrelief agencies.

"It is utterly meaningless to say they want aid if theysimultaneously don't drop these conditions."

She says it is essential that aid is delivered through independentagencies such as the UN, rather than the regime, which is “likelyto misuse, steal or deny assistance to ethnic nationalities”,according to Kinnock.

She added, "The international community, particularly Burma’sneighbours India, Thailand and China, must ensure that the juntaaccept aid to be delivered freely and on the basis of humanitarianneed.

“Influence must be brought to bear on this tyrannical regime thatcontinually neglects to care for its citizens.”

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