Burma takes diplomats to Irrawaddy disaster zone

17/05/2008 15:26:33

Burma's authorities have allowed a group of foreign diplomats into the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta, in the first such trip since the devastating storm hit the country two weeks ago.

Burma's regime says the cyclone left nearly 78,000 people dead and another 56,000 missing, but the government has strictly limited visits by foreigners -- including aid workers -- to the worst-hit regions.

Humanitarian workers have grown increasingly frustrated with these restrictions, and say millions of survivors are still in need of food, water and shelter.

Meanwhile, 43 US lawmakers have called on President George W. Bush to consider "humanitarian intervention" in Burma.

They are calling on the president to back the efforts of France, Britain, Germany, Denmark and other nations to gain entry into the devastated Irrawaddy Delta region to provide urgent life-saving humanitarian aid.

They have also asked Mr Bush to consult with other supportive regional governments.

The generals have accepted hundreds of tonnes of relief supplies but have all but sealed off the disaster zone, keeping out most foreigners.

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