Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
CNN
May 13, 2008 American Morning (CNN), 7:00 AM
KYRA PHILLIPS: All right. Well, allegations that the military junta is hoarding good food and giving the rotten food to the cyclone victims on the verge of starvation right now. So, what will happen and will the government in Myanmar even agree to accept more American help? I talked to Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. military Pacific Command, who led the first relief flight. He got some resistance, a little bit got in. And here were his first impressions upon landing there in the area also known as Burma.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ADMIRAL TIMOTHY KEATING, CMDR, U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND: Burma is in need of significant assistance, Kyra. We offered those forces that we have prepared at this very moment to come help them. We've got thousands of Marines. We've got sailors. We've got helicopters. We've got C-130s. The Burmese were cordial. They acknowledged our offers of assistance, but we got no firm decisions from them.
PHILLIPS: And you have met with the members of the military. Have you tried to negotiate with them? Were the conversations curt and short? I know you pretty well and you're really good with negotiations. So this must be a real challenge.
KEATING: It's a challenge. They weren't so much negotiations and were decisions, Kyra. Cordial, not confrontational, but the Burmese simply said we will take these matters under consideration. We will have to discuss them with the Prime Minister and we will get back to you when we have a decision. It may be days. It may be longer.
PHILLIPS: We're talking about thousands and thousands of people facing disease, starvation, these are desperate individuals. Is there any other way that you can get that aid to these people or do you have to deal with this military junta?
KEATING: We have to deal with the leadership of the country, and that is our government's position, and that's what we're prepared to do.
PHILLIPS: And do you have any confidence that you will get that green light and how long it can you stay there to wait for that green light?
KEATING: We will stayas long as we need to and can. We can't stay here forever, of course, so we're hopeful that we get news very soon. We're already -- we've been ready for a couple of days. As you mentioned, there are countless, thousands suffering as we speak. That's why the young men and women in uniform are so anxious to begin providing a service right now.
PHILLIPS: Admiral Timothy Keating, thank you.
KEATING: Thanks, Kyra. (END VIDEO CLIP)
May 13, 2008 American Morning (CNN), 7:00 AM
KYRA PHILLIPS: All right. Well, allegations that the military junta is hoarding good food and giving the rotten food to the cyclone victims on the verge of starvation right now. So, what will happen and will the government in Myanmar even agree to accept more American help? I talked to Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. military Pacific Command, who led the first relief flight. He got some resistance, a little bit got in. And here were his first impressions upon landing there in the area also known as Burma.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ADMIRAL TIMOTHY KEATING, CMDR, U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND: Burma is in need of significant assistance, Kyra. We offered those forces that we have prepared at this very moment to come help them. We've got thousands of Marines. We've got sailors. We've got helicopters. We've got C-130s. The Burmese were cordial. They acknowledged our offers of assistance, but we got no firm decisions from them.
PHILLIPS: And you have met with the members of the military. Have you tried to negotiate with them? Were the conversations curt and short? I know you pretty well and you're really good with negotiations. So this must be a real challenge.
KEATING: It's a challenge. They weren't so much negotiations and were decisions, Kyra. Cordial, not confrontational, but the Burmese simply said we will take these matters under consideration. We will have to discuss them with the Prime Minister and we will get back to you when we have a decision. It may be days. It may be longer.
PHILLIPS: We're talking about thousands and thousands of people facing disease, starvation, these are desperate individuals. Is there any other way that you can get that aid to these people or do you have to deal with this military junta?
KEATING: We have to deal with the leadership of the country, and that is our government's position, and that's what we're prepared to do.
PHILLIPS: And do you have any confidence that you will get that green light and how long it can you stay there to wait for that green light?
KEATING: We will stayas long as we need to and can. We can't stay here forever, of course, so we're hopeful that we get news very soon. We're already -- we've been ready for a couple of days. As you mentioned, there are countless, thousands suffering as we speak. That's why the young men and women in uniform are so anxious to begin providing a service right now.
PHILLIPS: Admiral Timothy Keating, thank you.
KEATING: Thanks, Kyra. (END VIDEO CLIP)