NightBlogger

Myanmar’s ruling junta lashed out at foreign aid donors Friday, saying cyclone victims did not need supplies of “chocolate bars” and could instead survive by eating frogs and fish. The New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a government mouthpiece, also warned that foreign relief workers could snoop inside homes, and condemned donors for linking aid money to full access to the hardest-hit regions in the Irrawaddy Delta.

After several days of praising the work of the United Nations and charities, the regime’s official newspaper renewed its attacks on foreign aid and insisted Myanmar could survive without outside help. “The government and the people are like parents and children,” the paper said. “We, all the people, were pleased with the efforts of the government.” More

Aljazeera
Children in the Ivory Coast, Sudan and Haiti have faced abuse by staff from aid agencies and the United Nations, a London-based charity has reported. Save the Children said its researchers had evidence that children from the age of six are being traded for food, money, soap and mobile phones in war zones and disaster areas. The UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) was said to be the group most likely to be responsible for abuse. Save the Children said there had been 15 claims against UNPKO staff and partners last year, of which three were upheld.

The charity said an international watchdog should be set up to look at the alleged abuse. Jasmine Whitbread, the charity’s chief executive, said: “It is hard to imagine a more grotesque abuse of authority or flagrant violation of children’s rights. “This research exposes the despicable actions of a small number of perpetrators who are sexually abusing some of the most vulnerable children in the world, the very children they are meant to protect.” More

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Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Asia Times
Iran wants to enter into “serious and targeted” negotiations with major nations on a wide range of issues, including nuclear energy, Tehran said in a new package of proposals. These were outlined in a letter from Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon. The “Proposed Package for Constructive Negotiations” included offers for talks on nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of atomic technology.

Tehran also proposes creating “enrichment and nuclear fuel production consortiums in different parts of the world - including Iran” and calls for “improved supervision” by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The package also seeks talks on worldwide economic, political and security issues, including cooperation to help Palestinians “find a comprehensive plan - one that is sustainable, democratic and fair”. Read more