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Military aid 'an option' in Burma Military aid 'an option' in Burma
(about 5 hours later)
Military action on humanitarian grounds is an option to get more aid to Burma's cyclone survivors, Britain's foreign secretary has told the BBC.Military action on humanitarian grounds is an option to get more aid to Burma's cyclone survivors, Britain's foreign secretary has told the BBC.
David Miliband said the "responsibility to protect" UN doctrine, drawn up to apply in cases like genocide, could apply to natural disasters.David Miliband said the "responsibility to protect" UN doctrine, drawn up to apply in cases like genocide, could apply to natural disasters.
"All instruments of the UN should be available," he told the BBC."All instruments of the UN should be available," he told the BBC.
Earlier the United Nations said it had only been able to reach 270,000 of the 1.5m survivors of Cyclone Nargis.Earlier the United Nations said it had only been able to reach 270,000 of the 1.5m survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
It called for an air or sea "corridor" to be opened up to channel large amounts of aid to the region and warned of the risk of a "second catastrophe" if a major operation did not begin.It called for an air or sea "corridor" to be opened up to channel large amounts of aid to the region and warned of the risk of a "second catastrophe" if a major operation did not begin.
Aid convoysAid convoys
Some European nations have called for the UN principle of "responsibility to protect" to be applied, which would allow aid deliveries without Burma's consent.Some European nations have called for the UN principle of "responsibility to protect" to be applied, which would allow aid deliveries without Burma's consent.
Asked about the issue for Tuesday BBC Radio 4 World Tonight programme, he said the problem with the protocol - drawn up to protect people against war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity - was that it was a "legal requirement". Asked about the issue for Tuesday's BBC Radio 4's World Tonight programme, Mr Miliband said the problem with the protocol - drawn up to protect people against war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity - was that it was a "legal requirement".
No-one should think that there is an easy or quick answer to this David MilibandNo-one should think that there is an easy or quick answer to this David Miliband
But asked if it could apply in the event of a natural disaster, Mr Miliband told the BBC: "It certainly could and we have been absolutely clear in New York over the last 12 days that all instruments of the UN should be available." But asked if it could apply in the event of a natural disaster, he said: "It certainly could and we have been absolutely clear in New York over the last 12 days that all instruments of the UN should be available."
However asked if aid convoys could be sent into Burma with military escorts, without the military regime's permission he said "you could try to" but pointed out there were 400,000 Burmese troops in uniform. However, asked if aid convoys could be sent into Burma with military escorts, without the military regime's permission, he said "you could try to" but pointed out there were 400,000 Burmese troops in uniform.
"No-one should think that there is an easy or quick answer to this," he said."No-one should think that there is an easy or quick answer to this," he said.
But he said "all options are being looked at" - pointing out that HMS Westminster had been sent to the area, alongside French and US military assets.But he said "all options are being looked at" - pointing out that HMS Westminster had been sent to the area, alongside French and US military assets.
The military junta that rules Burma has admitted that parts of the worst-affected region remain cut-off, but the generals are still refusing entry to foreign aid workers The military junta that rules Burma has admitted that parts of the worst-affected region remain cut off, but the generals are still refusing entry to foreign aid workers.
However the first US aid flight landed in Rangoon on Monday, after days of negotiation. However, the first US aid flight landed in Rangoon on Monday, after days of negotiation.
Both Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg have called for the dropping of aid directly into Burma if the ruling regime continues to block foreign relief workers.Both Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg have called for the dropping of aid directly into Burma if the ruling regime continues to block foreign relief workers.