U.S. scolding of Myanmar leaders comes under fire

[maddezmom]

Source: LATImes

WASHINGTON -- As Myanmar's aid crisis deepens, the Bush administration is facing criticism that its denunciations of the military regime may have contributed to its resistance to allowing foreign aid workers to enter the storm-ravaged country.

After Tropical Cyclone Nargis pounded Myanmar, First Lady Laura Bush and administration officials condemned the government Monday as illegitimate, blasted its human rights record, and charged that it had failed to give its residents adequate warning of the storm's approach.
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For the humanitarian purpose, you have to put politics aside and say unequivocally that we want to help," said Joel Charny, vice president for policy at Refugees International, a Washington-based advocacy group. "We know the Burmese generals are going to be suspicious. We shouldn't be taking an approach that's going to make it more likely that backs get up and doors remain closed."

A senior United Nations official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said, "It is certainly not helpful."


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usmyanmar10-2008may10,0,3747240.story