Laura Bush says Myanmar should give full access to aid

13rd June,
ROME: Myanmar's military rulers should give unfettered access to U.S. and other humanitarian aid, Laura Bush, the wife of U.S. President George W. Bush, said Thursday.
The first lady made the appeal during a speech to officials of the U.N. World Food Program at the food agency's Rome headquarters. She and her husband are on a weeklong European trip.
"The United States has committed more than US$35 million (€22.7 million) in humanitarian assistance for the cyclone" that hit Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in May, Laura Bush said.

About a third of that money has gone to the World Food Program for food aid, including 1,600 tons of urgently needed commodities, she added.
"The ruling junta still has not yet granted full access to the international community," Laura Bush said. "Just last week the U.S. Navy pulled relief ships from Burma's coastline after 15 separate requests to provide assistance were rejected," she said.
"We urge Burma's ruling generals to allow U.S. and other international humanitarian relief teams as well as non-governmental organizations to provide assistance in getting supplies quickly and efficiently to areas of need," she said.

The United Nations said Thursday it has received just over half the money it needs for cyclone relief in Myanmar, with some nations delaying their donations because of concerns about restrictions imposed by the military government on foreign aid workers.
The U.N. estimates that more than 1 million survivors, mostly in the delta, still need help more than five weeks after the cyclone struck.
From; http://www.iht.com