US Military Aid Flights into Burma Not Yet Allowed
Reports emerged early on the morning of May 8th which indicated that Burma’s military government had allowed US military aircraft to fly emergency aid into the country which, six days ago, was hit by Cyclone Nagris.
However, the US has subsequently confirmed that this is not the case, and that access confirmation is still awaited.
According to Eric John, the US Ambassador to Thailand, it was not known whether the shifting situation represented a retraction, or whether the facts had been miscommunicated.
Speaking to the media, Mr John explained the situation as he understood it.
"This morning, we and our Thai allies thought we had a decision from the Burmese leadership to let the C-130 [Hercules] in”, he said.
“As of now, we don't have that decision.
"I don't know whether they rescinded the decision or if there was a miscommunication."
UN Relief Aircraft
Previously, United Nations-operated relief aircraft were also not permitted access to Burma.
Earlier today, however, the first one – loaded with food supplies – touched down in Rangoon.
Previously, the Association of South-East Asian Nations had called on Burma’s military leaders to permit aid missions into the country “before it’s too late.”
A similar call had come from China, which, updating its earlier pledge, has said it will now send $5.3 million in aid.
Burmese Soldiers
Burmese soldiers are making inroads into the parts of Burma most badly affected by the cyclone.
However, according to some reports, they are insufficiently equipped to deal effectively with the sheer scale of the disaster.
According to Burma, the cyclone claimed the lives of 22,980 people, and displaced some 40,000 more.
Other sources, however, think that the ultimate death-count could reach 100,000.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Far East Correspondent
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