U.N. Helos Cleared to Deliver Myanmar Aid

The country’s military rulers have decided to allow 10 helicopters access to Yangon, Myanmar’s main city, according to The Wall Street Journal. Each helicopter can carry three tons of relief supplies. The U.N’s World Food Program, under which the helicopters will fly, may not be given access to the low-lying Irrawaddy River delta where most of the victims of Cyclone Nargis remain. Myanmar's ruling military junta still refuses assistance from the U.S. Navy, which has had four relief ships led by the helicopter carrier USS Essex offshore for about a week. The U.N.’s Secretary General Ban Ki-mon said, “Our focus now should be on saving lives” and plans to meet with the head of Myanmar’s junta tomorrow in an attempt to gain concessions on more access. For related news