US still awaits permission to fly to Burma for relief work

Mizzima News

Thursday, 08 May 2008 16:08

Bangkok – The US said it is still waiting for approval from the Burmese government to land military planes in Rangoon full of relief supplies to victims of Cyclone Nargis. Cynthia A. Brown, deputy press attaché of the US Embassy in Thailand, told reporters today that her government is still seeking permission to allow C130 military planes into Burma. The clarification came after it was widely reported that the US military had been given the go-ahead to ferry in supplies. Early today, a Thai military official told reporters in Bangkok that with the assistance of Thailand, Burma had approved US military flights. It was still unclear whether the Burmese government rescinded its decision or whether there was a miscommunication. Brown added that a 10-member Disaster Assistance Response Team is waiting in Bangkok for visas to fly into Burma. The cyclone killed more than 100,000 people and left a million homeless. Brown said diplomats are in constant discussion with the Burmese government and Thailand has facilitated the discussion. < Prev   Next >