2 hrs ago | Hispanic Business
Saudi Arabia Threatens to Halt Taiwan Oil Exports Over Dispute
“If Saudi Arabia stops oil import to Taiwan for two weeks, Taiwan will face an oil crisis”
Saudi Arabia has threatened to halt oil exports to Taiwan over Taipei's reluctance to invest in Saudi Arabia's power and water desalination plant, a newspaper said on Monday. via Hispanic Business
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Southeast Asia Forum & Polls6 hrs ago | The Associated Press | Posted by The Associated Press
Philippine president pardons 9 coup plotters
“The nation wants peace, order and stability, not more political shenanigans.”
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned nine military officers who apologized after being convicted of a 2003 coup plot, saying Monday that the Philippines yearns for stability _ not 'political shenanigans.'
Arroyo made the announcement during a nationally televised ceremony marking the oath-taking of new military chief Gen. Alexander Yano. He replaced a general known for fiercely defending Arroyo against coup plotters and other threats.
The government has struggled in recent years to head off unrest in the 120,000-strong military by fighting corruption, introducing reforms and modernizing equipment as it battles communist and Muslim rebels and al-Qaida-linked militants. The underfunded military is one of Asia's weakest. Read more
12 hrs ago | The Associated Press | Posted by The Associated Press
US launches first relief airlift to Myanmar after cyclone
“We don't know when they will also run out of food”
The United States launched its first relief airlift to Myanmar on Monday, after prolonged negotiations with the isolated country's military rulers, who have been accused of restricting international efforts to help as many as 1.5 million cyclone survivors at risk of disease and starvation.
The flight took off from a base in Thailand a day after the monumental task of feeding and sheltering the survivors suffered yet another blow when a boat laden with relief supplies _ one of the first international shipments _ sank on its way to the disaster zone. Read more
16 hrs ago | BBC
US soldier with aid in Thailand, 12/05
“Today's flight is just the first step and we hope they will allow us to do more in the future”
Many survivors are desperate for aid in the Irrawaddy Delta The first US aid flight to Burma following the devastating cyclone nine days ago has taken off from an air base in neighbouring Thailand. via BBC
21 hrs ago | IcNorthWales
1.5m Burmese in danger - Oxfam
“There are certainly parameters around whatever we do. It is very sensitive politically, but within those parameters we are getting through”
The lives of up to 1.5 million Burmese cyclone victims are in danger from diseases if clean water and sanitation are not provided soon, Oxfam has warned. via IcNorthWales
Sunday | Bangkok Post
Aid from Thailand reaches Burma, but not victims
“What we are sending in by road is in addition to the supplies we have already procured locally in Yangon and the 100 tons of supplies we started airlifting today from Dubai.”
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said its first trucks had arrived in Burma Saturday from Mae Sot without a problem, carrying 20 tonnes of emergency aid for survivors of the cyclone. via Bangkok Post
Sunday | Hindustan Times
Free detainees or face demos: Malaysian activists
“If (the government) deny (treatment to Uthayakumar and do not release the ISA detainees), then we will have a bigger gathering, that is definite”
Malaysia's ethnic Indian activists on Sunday warned the government to provide medical aid to one of its leaders and free those detained under tough internal security laws or face more street rallies. via Hindustan Times
Sunday | Boston Globe
Burmese vote on referendum as leaders keep grip on aid
“The government says vote, so we vote”
The military junta forged ahead yesterday with a constitutional referendum intended to cement its power after a campaign of arm-twisting and intimidation, even as it continued to restrict foreign aid shipments ... via Boston Globe
Sunday | TurkishPress.com
Myanmar holds vote despite cyclone devastation
“Many of the residents here feel so angry at the government when we see victims of the storm coming to our town”
People arrive to vote in a nationwide referendum in Hlegu. Myanmar's junta held a referendum on a new constitution Saturday, despite warnings more people would die unless it focussed on delivering emergency aid ... via TurkishPress.com
Saturday | The Associated Press | Posted by The Associated Press
Malaysian peacekeepers leave Philippines
“I am very confident that the situation on the ground”
The first group of Malaysian peacekeepers left the Philippines on Saturday as peace talks between the government and Muslim rebels were stalled.
The stalled talks raised fears that clashes could escalate again in the troubled south.
Malaysian Maj. Gen. Datuk Mat Yasin Bin Mat Daud _ leader of an international monitoring team _ said he hopes a peace agreement will be signed soon. The withdrawal is a sign of Kuala Lumpur's impatience with the slow pace of negotiations that it has brokered to try to bring an end to more than 30 years of Muslim separatist insurgency. Read more
Southeast Asia Editors
fadzilg is editing the Southeast Asia News page.
astos1244 is editing the Southeast Asia News page.
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