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Australia urges Myanmar general to put aside politics and let aid flow in

AP - Thursday, May 8

PERTH, Australia - Australia urged Myanmar's military leaders Wednesday to put aside politics and grant aid workers unfettered access to the country to help cyclone victims.

"Forget politics, forget the military dictatorship. Let's just get aid and assistance through to people who are suffering and dying as we speak through a lack of support on the ground," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters in the western city of Perth.

"That's a direct appeal to the government in Burma," he said, using another name for Myanmar.

The comment reflected growing frustration at the difficulties international aid groups were having in delivering aid in the Southeast Asian country, which the ruling junta normally keeps largely closed off to outsiders.

The death toll from a weekend storm in Myanmar has climbed to at least 22,000, with more than 40,000 missing and 1 million homeless.

The government on Wednesday sought to assure people that the situation was returning to normal.

The cyclone came a week before a referendum on a proposed constitution backed by the junta. State radio said Saturday's vote would be delayed in some areas, but would go on elsewhere as scheduled.

Australia has pledged 3 million Australian dollars (US$2.84 million; €1.83 million) in emergency cyclone aid to Myanmar, and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters during a visit to South Korea that more assistance could be offered. The aid was being delivered through relief agencies.

"Should any further assistance be required from Australia in terms of technical assistance or other assistance, then we stand ready, willing and able to consider that," Smith said.

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Associated Press Writer Jae-soon Chang in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

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