US condemns lack of cyclone warning
Updated
In the United States, First Lady, Laura Bush, has lashed out at Burma's military leaders for not warning people of the approaching cyclone.
Presenter: Michael Rowland
Speakers: Laura Bush, Us First Lady; US State Department spokesman Tom Casey
of America sounded the alarm.
Although they were aware of the threat Burma's state run media failed to issue a timely warning to citizens in the storms path, the response to the cyclone is just the most recent example of the junta's failure to meet its peoples' basic needs.
MICHAEL ROWLAND: The First Lady also expressed her concern about the regime's plans to go ahead with Saturday's constitutional referendum.
LAURA BUSH: Despite the havoc created by this weekend's cyclone, as far as we can tell Burma's military leaders plan to move forward with the constitutional referendum scheduled for this Saturday, May 10th.
They've orchestrated this vote to give to false legitimacy to their continued rule.
MICHAEL ROWLAND: In the cyclone's aftermath, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also been voicing his frustration about trying to deal with such a closed country.
BAN KI-MOON: Because of the lack of communications and the information, we're not quite sure what would be the total extent of damages and the casualties but I'm very much alarmed by the incoming news.
MICHAEL ROWLAND: The United States is providing $250,000 in financial aid, but Burma is so far resisting America's offer of sending in a disaster relief team.
It's a decision Laura Bush wants the regime to re-consider.
LAURA BUSH: The United States stands prepared to provide an assistance team and much needed supplies to Burma as soon as the Burmese government accepts our offer.
The government of Burma should accept this team quickly as well as other offers of international assistance.
MICHAEL ROWLAND: As it moves to help Burma, the Bush administration is finding any assistance measures may fall victim, at least in the short term, to the tough financial sanctions it imposed on the country late last year.
State Department spokesman Tom Casey.
TOM CASEY: I believe that there would be some legal restrictions that I'd have to check with multiple lawyers on in terms of what kinds of assistance we might be able to provide directly to the government or government entities in Burma.
MICHAEL ROWLAND: The question remains, how much outside help is Burma's regime willing to accept.
