Font Size 
Myanmar to allow entry to aid workers: Ban Ki-moon
Published on Fri, May 23, 2008 at 16:44, Updated at Fri, May 23, 2008 in 
Tags: 
THE PACIFIER: UN's Ban Ki-moon held talks with the country's top military ruler Senior General Than Shwe on Friday.
Other stories in the section:
Myanmar leader makes first visit to relief camp
In the devastated Irrawaddy delta, the situation remained grim.
Bangkok: Myanmar's government has now agreed to allow all foreign aid workers into the country, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after a meeting on Friday with the country's top military ruler.
The military government had earlier turned down an offer from French and US Navy ships to deliver assistance to survivors.
International donors had earlier said they need to be allowed access in order to assess the $11 billion aid needed by the military government.
Ban who is in Myanmar to speed up international relief for victims of Cyclone Nargis, travelled to the capital Naypyidaw on Friday morning and held talks with the country's top military ruler Senior General Than Shwe.
''I had a very good meeting with the Senior General and particularly on these aid workers. He has agreed to allow all the aid workers,'' Ban said after the meeting, according to a UN press release.
The UN chief considers this a breakthrough as the Myanmar military
government has agreed to let in foreign aid workers of all nationalities.
''He has taken quite a flexible position on this matter,'' Ban was quoted as saying after the meeting which lasted more than two hours.
General Than Shwe also agreed to the UN request to use Yangon airport as a logistical hub for relief distribution, the UN Secretary-General told reporters accompanying him.
Many survivors are still crammed into monasteries, schools and other temporary shelters even after three weeks of the cyclone.
(With inputs from UNI)
More Headlines from World
| Related links: | |
Total Comments: 0
Read Comment | Post Comment
Be the first to comment.