SYDNEY —

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday called the Myanmar junta’s obstruction of international efforts to help the country’s hundreds of thousands of cyclone victims “obscene” and said he will urge China, ASEAN and others with leverage over the junta to apply more pressure on it.

Rudd, in a press conference in Brisbane, said the international community is “horrified” at developments in Myanmar in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which has severely affected an estimated 1.5 million people there amid concern a worse tragedy may unfold if desperately needed aid is not allowed in quickly.

© 2008 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

4 Comments

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  tclh at 07:09 AM JST - 10th May

  PM Rudd again show his knowledges about Asia.He know exactly where is the location of power which makes things move.China first,then ASEAN.

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  rajakumar at 03:07 PM JST - 10th May

  Myanmar will accept all aid given, they are not rich. The government of myanmar is fearful about ulterior motives in the disguise of aid.

  Once they see westerners as genuine helpers,they will stop obstructions. There has been no obstructions/problems to aid and help given by non western nations.

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  presto345 at 06:50 PM JST - 10th May

  There has been no obstructions/problems to aid and help given by non western nations.

  Obstruction to much needed aid in itself is utterly ridiculous and reprehensible.

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  presto345 at 06:51 PM JST - 10th May

  I'll try again.

  There has been no obstructions/problems to aid and help given by non western nations.

  Obstruction to much needed aid in itself is utterly ridiculous and reprehensible.

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