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Confusion over US aid for Burma Confusion over US aid for Burma
(40 minutes later)
The US says it has not yet been given permission to fly aid into cyclone-hit Burma despite earlier reports. The US says it has not yet been given permission to fly aid into cyclone-hit Burma - despite reports that it had.
The US ambassador to Thailand said it was unclear whether there was a U-turn by Burma or a miscommunication. The US ambassador to Thailand said it was unclear whether there had been a U-turn by Burma or "miscommunication".
There has been growing international concern over Burma's reluctance to accept help for up to one million people made homeless by Cyclone Nargis. There has been growing international concern over the military regime's reluctance to accept help.
Burma has put the confirmed death toll at 22,980 but there are fears it could rise to 100,000. However, the UN has now confirmed its first aid flight has landed in Burma. Cyclone Nargis killed tens of thousands of people and left a million homeless.
Nargis smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday. It smashed into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday.
The BBC's Paul Danahar, who is in southern Burma, says he has seen the terrible trail of destruction, with survivors scavenging to find some shelter.The BBC's Paul Danahar, who is in southern Burma, says he has seen the terrible trail of destruction, with survivors scavenging to find some shelter.
They are living with thousands of corpses, polluting their environment, with the risk of disease taking hold getting worse by the day.They are living with thousands of corpses, polluting their environment, with the risk of disease taking hold getting worse by the day.
Normally after a natural disaster, he says, roads are choked with relief effort but these into the Irrawaddy delta are empty.Normally after a natural disaster, he says, roads are choked with relief effort but these into the Irrawaddy delta are empty.
DelaysDelays
On the American aid flights, US Ambassador to Thailand Eric John told a news conference: "This morning, we and our Thai allies thought we had a decision from the Burmese leadership to let the C-130 in. As of now, we don't have that decision. The US ambassador to Thailand, Eric John, called a news conference to address the issue of aid flights.
"This morning, we and our Thai allies thought we had a decision from the Burmese leadership to let the C-130 (Hercules transport aircraft) in. As of now, we don't have that decision.
"I don't know whether they rescinded the decision or if there was a miscommunication.""I don't know whether they rescinded the decision or if there was a miscommunication."
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map of worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open this PDF, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7387540.stm">Keeping a lid on chaos class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7388880.stm">Aid worker's diaryUK agencies launch appeal EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION UN map of worst-hit areas, based on satellite imagery [1.13MB] Most computers will open this PDF, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Aid worker's diaryUK agencies launch appeal class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7389576.stm">No help and no news
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Burma's generals have always been intensely suspicious of outside interference and the US has all but called for regime change in Burma.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Burma's generals have always been intensely suspicious of outside interference and the US has all but called for regime change in Burma.
If countries were allowed to begin aid flights, our correspondent says, Burma could experience the biggest international presence in its recent history.If countries were allowed to begin aid flights, our correspondent says, Burma could experience the biggest international presence in its recent history.
The UN, meanwhile, has said its four-member disaster assessment and co-ordination team has now been given visas for Burma. The first UN aid flight, carrying vital food supplies, landed in Rangoon after two days of delays.
However, it says planes carrying its vital food supplies have still not been given permission to enter. The UN World Food Programme said concern about the military siphoning off aid was one reason for the delay.
WFP regional director Anthony Banbury said: "We will not just bring our supplies to an airport, dump it and take off."
The UN also said its four-member disaster assessment and co-ordination team had now been given visas to travel to Burma.
Before and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge ImageBefore and after: extent of flooding clear in Nasa satellite imagesEnlarge Image
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said three UN flights from Bangkok, Dhaka and Dubai with 40 tonnes of high energy biscuits were still awaiting clearance by Burmese authorities.
WFP spokesman Paul Risley told AP news agency: "It is especially frustrating that critically needed food aid is being held up."
The regional Association of South-East Asian Nations had earlier urged the military regime to allow in aid flights "before it's too late".The regional Association of South-East Asian Nations had earlier urged the military regime to allow in aid flights "before it's too late".
Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said it was trying to communicate to the military regime the sense of urgency.Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said it was trying to communicate to the military regime the sense of urgency.
China, a close ally of Burma, has also urged it to work with the international community. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang added that Beijing would raise its relief aid to $5.3m.China, a close ally of Burma, has also urged it to work with the international community. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang added that Beijing would raise its relief aid to $5.3m.
UK aid agencies have launched an urgent joint appeal to raise funds for victims. The Disasters Emergency Committee said the need for aid was "immediate and vast".UK aid agencies have launched an urgent joint appeal to raise funds for victims. The Disasters Emergency Committee said the need for aid was "immediate and vast".
Death tollDeath toll
Burmese troops are pushing into the affected areas but Jonathan Head says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. Burmese troops are pushing into the affected areas but our correspondent Jonathan Head says their resources are inadequate to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.
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The devastation caused by the cycloneThe devastation caused by the cyclone
On Wednesday, the top US diplomat in Burma said that the number of deaths could be much higher than reported.On Wednesday, the top US diplomat in Burma said that the number of deaths could be much higher than reported.
Burmese state media says 22,980 people have been confirmed dead and another 42,119 are missing.Burmese state media says 22,980 people have been confirmed dead and another 42,119 are missing.
But Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Burma, said the death toll could reach or exceed 100,000, based on information from a non-governmental organisation that she would not name.But Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Burma, said the death toll could reach or exceed 100,000, based on information from a non-governmental organisation that she would not name.
A local military official, Tin Win, told AFP news agency 80,000 had died in the remote district of Labutta alone.A local military official, Tin Win, told AFP news agency 80,000 had died in the remote district of Labutta alone.
There are reports that the Rangoon home of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years, was damaged in the cyclone but that she is unhurt.
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