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Burma shuns foreign aid workers Burma shuns foreign aid workers
(10 minutes later)
Burma's military junta says the country is not ready to accept foreign aid workers, amid mounting criticism of its response to the devastating cyclone.Burma's military junta says the country is not ready to accept foreign aid workers, amid mounting criticism of its response to the devastating cyclone.
The foreign ministry said Burma was happy to accept overseas aid, but insisted that it would control the distribution itself.The foreign ministry said Burma was happy to accept overseas aid, but insisted that it would control the distribution itself.
The statement follows pressure from the United Nations to speed up the issuing of visas to foreign relief experts.The statement follows pressure from the United Nations to speed up the issuing of visas to foreign relief experts.
Some aid has made it in, but experts stress that much more is needed.Some aid has made it in, but experts stress that much more is needed.
Dozens of aid experts are reported to be waiting for visas in neighbouring Thailand - but the Burmese embassy there has now closed for a public holiday until next Tuesday.Dozens of aid experts are reported to be waiting for visas in neighbouring Thailand - but the Burmese embassy there has now closed for a public holiday until next Tuesday.
There is a real danger that an even worse tragedy may unfold if we cannot get the aid that's desperately needed in quickly John HolmesUN humanitarian head Burma: How you can helpEyewitness: Terrible disruptionBurma: The aid effort It's more than frustrating - it's a tragedy Eric JohnUS ambassador to Thailand Burma: How you can helpEyewitness: Terrible disruptionBurma: The aid effort
The UN says that up to 1.5 million people may have been affected by Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the Irrawaddy Delta region on Saturday.The UN says that up to 1.5 million people may have been affected by Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the Irrawaddy Delta region on Saturday.
Burmese state media say 22,980 people were killed, but there are fears the figure could rise to 100,000.Burmese state media say 22,980 people were killed, but there are fears the figure could rise to 100,000.
Hundreds of thousands of people have no food, water or shelter. Officials say people could die because no help is getting to them.Hundreds of thousands of people have no food, water or shelter. Officials say people could die because no help is getting to them.
In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the junta to prioritise the aid effort over tomorrow's nation-wide referendum on a widely-criticised new constitution.In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the junta to prioritise the aid effort over tomorrow's nation-wide referendum on a widely-criticised new constitution.
It would be "prudent to focus instead on mobilising all available resources and capacity for the emergency response efforts", he said.It would be "prudent to focus instead on mobilising all available resources and capacity for the emergency response efforts", he said.
'Not ready''Not ready'
In a foreign ministry statement carried by The New Light of Myanmar daily, Burma's government said it would welcome cash and emergency aid.In a foreign ministry statement carried by The New Light of Myanmar daily, Burma's government said it would welcome cash and emergency aid.
EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsIn pictures: Burma five days onBlogging the cycloneEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesSend us your commentsIn pictures: Burma five days onBlogging the cyclone
But it said it had turned back a relief flight from Qatar which had an aid team and a media crew on board.But it said it had turned back a relief flight from Qatar which had an aid team and a media crew on board.
"Currently Myanmar (Burma) has prioritised receiving emergency relief provisions and is making strenuous efforts to transport those provisions without delay by its own labours to the affected areas," it said."Currently Myanmar (Burma) has prioritised receiving emergency relief provisions and is making strenuous efforts to transport those provisions without delay by its own labours to the affected areas," it said.
"As such, Myanmar is not ready to receive search and rescue teams as well as media teams from foreign countries.""As such, Myanmar is not ready to receive search and rescue teams as well as media teams from foreign countries."
A BBC correspondent in the storm-hit region says Burmese troops have begun distributing significantly more aid.A BBC correspondent in the storm-hit region says Burmese troops have begun distributing significantly more aid.
But international experts agree that the military regime lacks the resources to co-ordinate an effective relief effort, given the magnitude of the disaster.But international experts agree that the military regime lacks the resources to co-ordinate an effective relief effort, given the magnitude of the disaster.
It has accepted limited help - some countries which have good relations with Burma have flown aid in.It has accepted limited help - some countries which have good relations with Burma have flown aid in.
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Monks and civilians clear piles of debris and branches off uprooted treesMonks and civilians clear piles of debris and branches off uprooted trees
Four flights carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme arrived in Rangoon on Thursday, as did an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) flight.Four flights carrying supplies from the UN's World Food Programme arrived in Rangoon on Thursday, as did an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) flight.
But at least 40 UN expert staff are waiting in Bangkok for visas - and two members of a specialist UN disaster assessment team were also denied access when they arrived in Burma, despite apparently having the correct documents.But at least 40 UN expert staff are waiting in Bangkok for visas - and two members of a specialist UN disaster assessment team were also denied access when they arrived in Burma, despite apparently having the correct documents.
On Thursday, the UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, told reporters that Burma's response to the disaster was "nothing like as much as is needed".On Thursday, the UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, told reporters that Burma's response to the disaster was "nothing like as much as is needed".
As many as 1.5 million people were severely affected, he said, and there was a "real danger that an even worse tragedy may unfold if we cannot get the aid that's desperately needed in quickly".As many as 1.5 million people were severely affected, he said, and there was a "real danger that an even worse tragedy may unfold if we cannot get the aid that's desperately needed in quickly".
Reports yesterday suggested the US had been granted permission to fly in supplies using military planes - but officials later said no agreement had been reached.Reports yesterday suggested the US had been granted permission to fly in supplies using military planes - but officials later said no agreement had been reached.
"We are in a long line of nations who are ready, willing and able to help, but also, of course, in a long line of nations the Burmese don't trust," US Ambassador Eric John said in Bangkok. "We are in a long line of nations who are ready, willing and able to help, but also, of course, in a long line of nations the Burmese don't trust," US ambassador Eric John said in Bangkok.
"It's more than frustrating. It's a tragedy," he said."It's more than frustrating. It's a tragedy," he said.
Are you in Burma, or do you have friends and family there? Have you - or they - been affected by the cyclone? Send your comments and pictures using the post form below.Are you in Burma, or do you have friends and family there? Have you - or they - been affected by the cyclone? Send your comments and pictures using the post form below.
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