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Burma 'closes' Red Cross offices Burma 'closes' Red Cross offices
(40 minutes later)
The Red Cross says it has been ordered by the Burmese government to close its offices in the country, effectively ending its humanitarian work there. The Red Cross says Burma's government has ordered it to close five field offices in the country, effectively ending its humanitarian work there.
Five field offices dealing with victims of conflict in Burma's border areas now face closure, the organisation said. The offices, which deal with victims of conflict in Burma's sensitive border areas, now face closure, it said.
The Red Cross also says it will remain barred from visiting jails, said to include some 1,000 political prisoners.The Red Cross also says it will remain barred from visiting jails, said to include some 1,000 political prisoners.
Humanitarian work for some of Burma's most vulnerable people was now in jeopardy, the organisation said.Humanitarian work for some of Burma's most vulnerable people was now in jeopardy, the organisation said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it "utterly deplores" the Burmese military government's decision.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it "utterly deplores" the Burmese military government's decision.
Pierre Krahenbul, the ICRC's director of operations, said the organisation's work "since 1999 has had a tangible impact on people's living and security conditions".Pierre Krahenbul, the ICRC's director of operations, said the organisation's work "since 1999 has had a tangible impact on people's living and security conditions".
"The ICRC is seriously worried that those most in need today will bear the brunt of the current standoff," he said."The ICRC is seriously worried that those most in need today will bear the brunt of the current standoff," he said.
Burma's repressive government has faced mounting international criticism of its human rights record and failure to introduce democracy.Burma's repressive government has faced mounting international criticism of its human rights record and failure to introduce democracy.
Aid workers complain that government suspicions have led to lengthy delays in getting approval to travel outside the capital, and obtain visas for foreign staff.Aid workers complain that government suspicions have led to lengthy delays in getting approval to travel outside the capital, and obtain visas for foreign staff.
DialogueDialogue
The UN estimates that there are over 1,000 political prisoners in Burma, among them the leader of the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for over a decade.The UN estimates that there are over 1,000 political prisoners in Burma, among them the leader of the democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for over a decade.
Since December 2005, Burma's government has refused to allow Red Cross prison visits.Since December 2005, Burma's government has refused to allow Red Cross prison visits.
According to the ICRC, the government has now ruled out any resumption of these visits.According to the ICRC, the government has now ruled out any resumption of these visits.
The government's additional demand that the ICRC close its five offices means the organisation's work in Burma is now limited to a few rehabilitation projects for amputees.The government's additional demand that the ICRC close its five offices means the organisation's work in Burma is now limited to a few rehabilitation projects for amputees.
The offices were serving thousands of people affected by conflict in Myanmar's border regions.The offices were serving thousands of people affected by conflict in Myanmar's border regions.
The ICRC says it has worked to build constructive dialogue with Burma.The ICRC says it has worked to build constructive dialogue with Burma.
But the attempts - aimed at allowing the ICRC to carry out its humanitarian work in the country - have ended in deadlock.But the attempts - aimed at allowing the ICRC to carry out its humanitarian work in the country - have ended in deadlock.
The organisation said it is "determined to re-engage the government in dialogue" to restore its operations in the country.The organisation said it is "determined to re-engage the government in dialogue" to restore its operations in the country.