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Burma neighbours in cyclone talks Burma neighbours in cyclone talks
(about 4 hours later)
The Association of South East Asian Nation (Asean) is due to hold urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma's cyclone victims.The Association of South East Asian Nation (Asean) is due to hold urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma's cyclone victims.
Foreign ministers meeting in Singapore hope that Burma's military junta - who has so far blocked most of the foreign aid - might accept the Asean help. Foreign ministers meeting in Singapore hope Burma's military junta - which has so far blocked most of the foreign aid - might accept the Asean help.
But Asean is unable to force a solution on its member as decisions are only made by consensus, correspondents say.But Asean is unable to force a solution on its member as decisions are only made by consensus, correspondents say.
Burma says some 78,000 people have died since the cyclone hit on 2 May.Burma says some 78,000 people have died since the cyclone hit on 2 May.
But aid agencies say many more may die without urgent help.But aid agencies say many more may die without urgent help.
In other developments: class="bulletList"> In other developments:
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  • the leader of Burma's junta, General Than Shwe, met the cyclone victims in relief camps near Rangoon for the first time on Sunday
  • a senior UN envoy is in Burma to urge the government to accept more international aid - UN chief Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit soon
  • Save the Children says some 30,000 acutely malnourished children under five years of age in Burma are threatened by death from starvation.
  • the leader of Burma's junta, General Than Shwe, met the cyclone victims in relief camps near Rangoon for the first time on Sunday
  • a senior UN envoy is in Burma to urge the government to accept more international aid - UN chief Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit soon
  • Save the Children says some 30,000 acutely malnourished children under five years of age in Burma are threatened by death from starvation.
    • 'Dramatic steps''Dramatic steps'
    Ahead of the Singapore talks, Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told the BBC that there was a tremendous sense of frustration about aid not getting in to Burma.Ahead of the Singapore talks, Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told the BBC that there was a tremendous sense of frustration about aid not getting in to Burma.
    The cyclone has filled rice fields with sea water, destroying vital crops UK aid 'reaching cyclone victims'Burma: How you can helpWaiting to deliver aidThe cyclone has filled rice fields with sea water, destroying vital crops UK aid 'reaching cyclone victims'Burma: How you can helpWaiting to deliver aid
    But the minister added that little could be done without the co-operation of the Burmese authorities.But the minister added that little could be done without the co-operation of the Burmese authorities.
    The junta has been criticised around the world for obstructing international efforts to help the cyclone victims.The junta has been criticised around the world for obstructing international efforts to help the cyclone victims.
    British Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week said its response was "inhuman".British Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week said its response was "inhuman".
    The humanitarian crisis is causing such a storm of international outrage that some Asean governments recognise that they have to act, the BBC's Jonathan Head says.The humanitarian crisis is causing such a storm of international outrage that some Asean governments recognise that they have to act, the BBC's Jonathan Head says.
    This is likely to take the form of an Asean-led emergency relief effort, using Asian organisations to channel international aid as their citizens may be more acceptable to Burma's xenophobic generals, our correspondent says.This is likely to take the form of an Asean-led emergency relief effort, using Asian organisations to channel international aid as their citizens may be more acceptable to Burma's xenophobic generals, our correspondent says.
    On Sunday, UK Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said on Sunday that the aid operation was finally "starting to move".On Sunday, UK Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said on Sunday that the aid operation was finally "starting to move".
    He said there were signs that Burma might accept a compromise brokered by Asian intermediaries to allow more foreign help, including allowing Western ships to deliver aid.He said there were signs that Burma might accept a compromise brokered by Asian intermediaries to allow more foreign help, including allowing Western ships to deliver aid.
    EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesEyewitness: Barred from BurmaSend us your commentsEXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION See map and satellite imagesEyewitness: Barred from BurmaSend us your comments
    "We're just going to have see what negotiations in the coming days by the Asian leaders, by the UN secretary-general, achieve. I think you're going to see quite dramatic steps by the Burmese to open up," he told the BBC."We're just going to have see what negotiations in the coming days by the Asian leaders, by the UN secretary-general, achieve. I think you're going to see quite dramatic steps by the Burmese to open up," he told the BBC.
    Lord Malloch-Brown says only about 25% of the cyclone's most needy victims have received the help they need.Lord Malloch-Brown says only about 25% of the cyclone's most needy victims have received the help they need.
    On Saturday, Burma took foreign diplomats on a helicopter tour of the Irrawaddy Delta.On Saturday, Burma took foreign diplomats on a helicopter tour of the Irrawaddy Delta.
    But Shari Villarosa, the top US diplomat in Burma, dismissed the visit as a "show".But Shari Villarosa, the top US diplomat in Burma, dismissed the visit as a "show".
    However, Bernard Delpuech, head of the European Commission Humanitarian Office in Rangoon, said the trip had at least shown "the magnitude of the devastation".However, Bernard Delpuech, head of the European Commission Humanitarian Office in Rangoon, said the trip had at least shown "the magnitude of the devastation".
    Are you in Burma? Do you live in or near the affected regions? Are you an aid worker in the country? Send us your comments using the form below. Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100
    Name
    		Are you in Burma? Do you live in or near the affected regions? Are you an aid worker in the country? Send us your comments using the form below. Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 Name