Save Burma

Foreigners enter cyclone-hit delta, testing Myanmar’s promise

AFP -
YANGON (AFP) – Foreign aid workers Tuesday pressed into Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta, testing the junta’s pledge to open up areas where one million people have yet to receive aid three weeks after the cyclone.
Donors press Myanmar for access Seattle Times
Donors pledging Myanmar cyclone aid The Associated Press
Reuters – Wall Street Journal – Monsters and Critics.com – Reuters
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Myanmar generals claim referendum win

Canada.com -
YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar declared victory Monday for a military-backed constitution, pressing ahead with its political agenda despite the devastation caused by the cyclone that left 133000 dead or missing.
State radio reports Myanmar constitution approved in cyclone-hit areas The Canadian Press
House arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi coming up for renewal International Herald Tribune
The Australian – Euronews.net – South China Morning Post (subscription) – The Statesman
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In Myanmar, Loss, Grief and, for Some, Resignation

New York Times -
AP A family in Pyapon, in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta, on Monday. Few delta residents have received aid since the May 3 cyclone.

Aid Agencies Test Burma’s Pledge to Allow Access to Cyclone Hit Areas

Voice of America -
By VOA News Aid agencies say they are sending relief teams into cyclone-hit areas of Burma Monday to test the military government’s pledge to allow unrestricted access to their workers.
UN boss hopeful over Burma Scotsman
Donors urge Burma to live up to commitments CTV.ca
Progress Leader – Melbourne Herald Sun – Deutsche Welle – Scotsman
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Myanmar film industry takes on cyclone disaster

Reuters UK -
YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar’s military rulers have been slammed for their slow response to Cyclone Nargis, but the same cannot be said of the country’s tiny film industry, which is already busy turning the devastating storm into myth.
Japan sends team to cyclone-hit Myanmar: officials ReliefWeb (press release)
Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis OCHA Situation Report No. 20 ReliefWeb (press release)
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Burma must open up to aid experts: US

Sydney Morning Herald - May 25, 2008
“The United States is prepared to offer much more, and we know that we must act quickly to prevent further loss of life,” she told the conference, where Myanmar is expected to ask for more than 10 billion US dollars in assistance.
45 countries pledge aid, insist on Burma access Bangkok Post
South-East Asia makes half-hearted attempts to help Burma Daily Nation
Inquirer.net – Reuters – Voice of America – Bangkok Post
all 97 news articles »

Aust committed to Burma relief effort

ABC Online - May 25, 2008
“Australia’s expressed its views about the regime in Myanmar (Burma) and the Foreign Minister’s expressed our views about the referendum and the process and the constitution,” Mr McMullan said.
Australia to monitor its $25m Burma aid Sydney Morning Herald
McMullan to travel to Burma The Age
TeleText – ReliefWeb (press release) – ABC Online – Sydney Morning Herald
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Burma diverts ship carrying aid

Boston Globe -
Ban offered no details, according to reporters from news agencies who were permitted to accompany him in Burma. “There is good reason to hope that aid to the worst affected areas of Myanmar will increase significantly in the coming days,” Ban said, …

Harper government backtracks, allows longer time for Burma donations

The Canadian Press -
The offer excluded all the donations that poured in immediately after the devastating May 2 cyclone in Myanmar, also known as Burma, and the May 12 earthquake in China. Humanitarian groups say the flow of donations is typically greatest within the …

Conditions ripe for disease in Myanmar

The Associated Press -
DEDAYE, Myanmar (AP) – Myint Hlaing’s family bathes and draws cooking water from an irrigation ditch fouled by human waste and a rotting cow carcass.

Fire at Myanmar embassy in Thailand; no injuries reported

International Herald Tribune -
AP BANGKOK, Thailand: Fire ripped through part of Myanmar’s embassy in Thailand on Monday, closing the visa section and dashing the hopes of many aid workers anxiously waiting to enter the cyclone-ravaged country.
Fire at Myanmar embassy in Bangkok destroys consular offices Xinhua
Fire hits Myanmar embassy in Thailand Inquirer.net
Times Now.tv – France24 – AHN – GulfNews
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Myanmar junta tightens security near Suu Kyi home

Reuters -
YANGON, May 27 (Reuters) – Myanmar’s military rulers tightened security around the home of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, the day her latest year-long stretch of house arrest is due to expire.

Burma constitution approved

Independent Online -
Yangon – Myanmar declared victory on Monday for a military-backed constitution after a second round of voting in regions hit by the cyclone, claiming nearly 93 percent endorsed the charter, state media said.
Burma junta declares referendum victory Radio Australia
Burma’s charter sails through referendum ABC Online
Bombay News
all 9 news articles »

Myanmar tightens security around Suu Kyi’s home, party

AFP -
YANGON (AFP) – Myanmar tightened security Tuesday around Aung San Suu Kyi’s home and her party’s offices, witnesses said, as the regime is believed to be preparing to extend her house arrest.

Burma’s junta stalling relief workers: Costello

ABC Online -
World Vision CEO Tim Costello says Burma’s ruling military junta is still not allowing disaster relief experts access to cyclone-ravaged areas.

Foreign Relief Workers Begin to Arrive in Burma

Washington Post -
By Amy Kazmin BANGKOK, May 26 — Foreign relief workers began filtering into Burma’s Irrawaddy Delta on Monday, as aid agencies tested whether the ruling military junta would keep its promise to permit a major international effort to help the 2.5 …

Aid agencies to test Burma’s new openness

guardian.co.uk -
Aid agencies, whose international staff have been barred from the areas of Burma worst-hit by Cyclone Nargis, were yesterday preparing to test the Burmese regime’s new openness following the UN’s apparent diplomatic breakthrough.

Analysts Say ASEAN Tries to Bridge Burma’s Trust Issue With West

Voice of America -
“One would imagine it took a while for them [Burma's government] to open up and come to the meeting and meet the whole group,” said Caballero-Anthony .

Myanmar prelate says cyclone set Church back decade

Reuters -
By Phil Stewart VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The tiny Roman Catholic Church in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar is struggling to do its bit to help cyclone survivors, with parishes so damaged that it could take a decade to rebuild, its leader said on Monday.

Burma (Myanmar) opens door for aid, but remains wary

Christian Science Monitor -
Bangkok, Thailand – A drumbeat of diplomatic pressure on the military rulers of Burma (Myanmar) has cracked open the door for more international aid to reach cyclone survivors after weeks of scattershot deliveries.