The following International Herald Tribune article is dropping hints as to why the military dictatorship in Myanmar is acting as though it has something to hide. Here are some excerpts:
YANGON, Myanmar: Amid signs that a second cyclone may be headed toward the Irrawaddy Delta, the directors of several relief organizations in Myanmar said Wednesday that some of the international aid coming into the country for the victims of Cyclone Nargis was being stolen, diverted or warehoused by the military.
The aid directors declined to be quoted directly on their concerns for fear of angering the ruling junta and jeopardizing their operations, although Marcel Wagner, country director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, confirmed that aid was being diverted by the army.
He also said it was going to be a growing problem, though he declined to give any further details because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Prime Minister Sundaravej of Thailand told The AP that Myanmar's rulers did not want any foreign aid workers because they "have their own team to cope with the situation."
EDITORIAL NOTE: Even those who sincerely want to help the hundreds of thousands of cyclone victims are overwhelmed by the immensity of the task, lack of vehicles, manpower, and aircraft, bureaucratic red tape, and destruction of numerous roads and bridges.
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