Asia-Pacific News
Fire at Myanmar embassy in Bangkok closes visa section
May 26, 2008, 3:02 GMT
Bangkok - The Myanmar embassy to Bangkok closed its visa application section on Monday after a fire broke out in one of the compound's buildings, officials said.
A fire started on the second floor of a building used for embassy guests early Monday morning, destroying about 70 per cent of the house and prompting the embassy to close its visa section, police said.
'It was an accident,' said Thai Police Major Thanyaboon Thonjalatwong. 'There were no injuries, and we've ruled out sabotage.'
The fire coincides with mounting confusion within the international aid community over whether Myanmar's ruling junta will follow up on commitments to grant more visas to aid workers seeking to enter the country to meet the desperate needs of some 2.4 million people affected by Cyclone Nargis, which slammed in to the country's central coast on May 2-3.
Myanmar military supremo Senior General Than Shwe assured United Nations Secretary Gernal Ban Ki-moon on Friday that the regime would allow 'all' foreign aid workers unhindered access to the country and disaster zones.
But there were few new details on visa procedures revealed at a pledging conference held in Yangon on Sunday.
'We're still optimistic but we're struggling with lack of detail on the ground as to what this all means,' said Sarah Ireland, regional director for Oxfam, one of many aid agencies trying to get more experts in to Myanmar.
With the embassy closed Monday, Ireland said they would have to wait till Tuesday to check on progress on their visa applications under consideration.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
This is another story by Junta.
What fools in these world to believe such coincidental fire as the Burmese/Myanmar military regime plays it's tricks once again. This is not the first incident of fire used by the regime to deploy dirty tactics, I remembered they set fire to the ministry of commerce building in Rangoon just before fiscal year accountability. Fire fighting vehicles arrived at the scene without water only to ensured that the building burn down completely. This how they cover massive corruption even if they have to sacrificed lives.
Now this fire at the embassy where foreign aid workers gather will caused more delays and more deaths to the poor Burmese people. This is a tactic the regime used to make sure more time to cover up what they are hiding and also to demoralized whatever help coming. Ethnic cleansing of the Karenni minority people in the cyclone hit delta without even wasting a bullet.
This is the cruel truth about this Junta regime. The world leaders have certainly got blood in their hands as they have failed the people of Burma once again by more talks than actions!
page: 1
ObserverMay 26th, 2008 - 03:23:57
Feel so sad to hear that. Unfortunately it should not be an excuse of not issuing visas desperately in need. Hope tomorrow the embassy will instantly approve everybody's visas to assist over a million of victims of cyclone. All Gods and Buddhas will bless the Junta and embassy for keeping the good promise! Want more blessing do more good not only to people but also to all beings.
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