Burma continues to frustrate aid efforts
Updated
Nearly a week after Cyclone Nargis devastated its delta region the situation in Burma is increasingly desperate, up to 100,000 people are believed to have died, and around one-and-a-half million people in desperate need of food and water.
Presenter: Karen Percy
Speaker: Eric G John, American Ambassador
KAREN PERCY: When the news came out that the US would be able to take part in the relief effort, there was amazement all around.
Thailand's most senior military leader General Boonsrang Niumpradit was reported to have struck the deal.
A spokesman from the US embassy in Thailand even confirmed it, but it didn't take long for it all to come undone.
When pressed, the Thais denied the agreement was final.
And at a press conference, American ambassador to Thailand Eric G. John had only bad news.
ERIC G. JOHN: This morning what they had from the Burmese government was permission for us to use the C-130. Since then that decision, I think, has been taken back by the Burmese and there is still, I think I would characterise it as it is still under study by the Burmese authority.
So we don't have permission yet for the C-130 to go in but I would try to emphasise "yet".
KAREN PERCY: It's unclear exactly what happened.
ERIC G. JOHN: I can't say it was, I don't know whether they rescinded the decision or whether it was a miscommunication.
KAREN PERCY: Nobody should really be surprised.
For starters, the generals don't always deliver what they promise: a case in point, the fact that earlier this week they agreed to allow crisis specialists from the United Nations into Burma and then let them sit in Bangkok for days awaiting visas.
Four of them were finally allowed to fly into Rangoon last night.
And of course, the United States is one of the most open and strident critics of the junta.
It has pushed through further sanctions against the regime in recent months.
It has lauded pro-democracy hero Aung San Suu Kyi, who is disliked by some of the most senior members of the junta.
As a result, the Burmese generals don't trust the Americans.
But Ambassador Eric G. John has been trying to put those doubts to rest.
ERIC G. JOHN: These are humanitarian workers. They are, you know, ready to go in to help. They are not going in to overthrow the government. They are not going in to spy.
KAREN PERCY: By the ambassador's reckoning, the offer still stands for the disaster assistance response team to help.
ERIC G. JOHN: People are stacking up. Supplies are stacking up. It is ready to move and you know, the purpose of this, this session here I think is to point out the need for speed.
KAREN PERCY: Thailand's Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej is offering to broker a new deal.
The question is, will the generals come to the table?
