May 25, 2008
The international community has urged Burma Sunday to save survivors of Hurricane leaving, as promised, enter all humanitarian foreigners at an international conference where the junta hoped billions of dollars for reconstruction.
"We must all keep their eyes riveted on the immediate objective: to save lives," launched the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, at the opening of the meeting.
When the conference had been announced last week by the United Nations and the Association of nations of Southeast Asia (Asean), Burma was estimated at 10.7 billion dollars the damage caused by Nargis.
But the debate closed Sunday, no figure was provided on pledges to this poor country, ravaged 2 and May 3 by one of the worst disasters of recent history.
Nargis has already claimed at least 133,600 people dead or missing and 2.4 million people were affected.
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
© 2008 AFP
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
"Our immediate challenge is humanitarian," pleaded Mr. Ban, which provides that "relief will last (...) probably at least six months to feed and care for those who have lost everything."
Of course, "infrastructure must be rebuilt" but "this can not be our main concern," warned the secretary general.
For the head of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, John Holmes, "we are clearly still in the emergency phase of this crisis".
The Burmese military leaders are well aware of "the need to act urgently", assured Ban Ki-moon, although the last three weeks, the humanitarian drama is played virtually closed.
"I hope and believe that any hesitation that the government of Burma has had (...) could soon be a thing of the past", he said, hoping that "this marks a turning point for overcoming the challenges is facing this country. "
With wanting positive, M. Ban praised the "new spirit of cooperation" between the junta and the international community.
Even China, neighbour and ally of the regime of the generals, supported a "greater role" for UN in Burma, said its Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
© 2008 AFP
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
Ban Ki-moon won Friday in an interview with the exceptional Burmese leader Than Shwe, the green light to the arrival of "all international humanitarian workers".
The generals are "totally in line with the agreement" Friday with Than Shwe, assured Mr. Ban.
But in the first direct statement from the authorities, Prime Minister Thein Sein has cautiously indicated that Burma was "ready to accept these groups (humanitarian) interested in the reconstruction and rehabilitation, according to our priorities and scope Labour has to be done. "
"We will examine the possibility of letting them (come)," he added. Ban Ki-moon expressed "very encouraged" by this statement.
The agreement in principle is a general apparent concession after weeks of stalemate on the part of a junta to suspicious against Westerners and jealous of its sovereignty.
NGOs and diplomats are nevertheless warned against excessive optimism, waiting to see on the ground if the regime keeps its commitments.
Car for the international community and humanitarian organizations, it is important above all to access the faster the delta of the Irrawaddy (south-west).
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
© 2008 AFP
Burma: donors' conference, urging the junta to save survivors
"The rapid implementation and complete (the commitment of the junta) will be crucial," admitted Ban Ki-moon, promising to be "closely, continuously and personally engaged" in this case.
The "conference participants want to see the promises translated into action," added Mr. Holmes.
The USA, who sent more than two dozen airplanes assistance to Burma and 20 million dollars "are ready to offer much more," assured their charge d'affaires, Shari Villarosa, who wants to "act quickly to avoid further casualties. "
For the Ambassador of the European Commission, Friedrich Hamburger, the conference is "a step in the right direction" while France has held that a "free access of international humanitarian workers in the area of the delta remains indispensable."
Last Updated: Sunday, May 25, 2008
by erectusplus at 7:38 AM |
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