Following is the full text version from Irrawaddy, about Junta King Than Shwe’s anger, and analysis of the mind of the Junta’s king by Yeni of Irrawaddy( Updated on 6.12.07)
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=9511
Charles Petries Visa (Photo- above) has criticised the Junta
The statement, issued by the UN country team in Rangoon, declared that the concerns of the Burmese people had been “clearly expressed through the recent peaceful demonstrations, and it is beholden on all to listen.”
The demonstrations had highlighted that many of the Burmese people’s aspirations—“development, prosperity, peace, security and dignity for all”—were not yet “a reality for all.”
The September events, the statement said, had “clearly demonstrated the everyday struggle to meet basic needs, and the urgent necessity to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.”
The UN statement followed one issued jointly by more than a dozen international humanitarian organizations urging “all parties to increase their efforts to address the underlying causes of the current situation.”
Referring to these “underlying causes,” the UN statement said that “while acknowledging the efforts made by the government of Myanmar [Burma] to build schools, clinics, hospitals and roads, the UN system in Myanmar [Burma] nevertheless sees every day that in this potentially prosperous country basic human needs are not being met.
“Today, Myanmar’s [Burma’] estimated per capita GDP is less than half that of Cambodia or Bangladesh. The average household is forced to spend almost three quarters of its budget on food. One in three children under five are suffering from malnutrition, and less than 50 percent of children are able to complete their primary education.
“It is estimated that close to 700,000 people each year suffer from malaria, and 130,000 from tuberculosis. Among those infected with HIV, an estimated 60,000 people needing anti-retrovirals do not yet have access to this life-saving treatment.”
The UN statement stung Burma’s Foreign Ministry into issuing a “strong protest,” complaining that it was “very negative [and] deliberately ignores the successful conclusion of the National Convention which has adopted basic principles for the new constitution as well as the economic development and the gains made in various sectors, such as education, health, transportation etc.”
These gains would be greater were it not for the sanctions levied against Burma, the Foreign Ministry said.
The Ministry said it had been “disappointed” by the decision to issue the statement, which had “jeopardized the good working relations existing between the Ministry and the Country Team [the UN representation in Burma.]”
The Ministry demarche made no mention of the upcoming visit by Gambari, expected to begin within the next few days.
The latest news from Burma said UN Head Of The Office in Rangoon was surmoned to Nay Pyi Daw by the Junta Officials. The news also said his job is officially terminated by the Military Regime.
Charles Petrie has been accused by the government of overstepping his duties by criticising Myanmar’s “deteriorating humanitarian situation”.
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