Australia considering extra aid for Burma

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Updated November 12, 2009 20:59:36

In the wake of Hillary Clinton's call yesterday for ASEAN states to put more pressure on Burma to hold democratic elections, Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith Smith says Canberra is considering extending development assistance to Rangoon. It would represent a step beyond existing humanitarian aid, and would aim to both assist impoverished Burmese, and send a signal to the military government about the benefits of international support.

Speaking on the sidelines of the foreign, trade and finance ministerial meetings of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum in Singapore, Mr Smith also expressed concern about the deepening rift between Thailand and Cambodia.

Presenter: Linda Mottram
Speaker: Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Minister

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