This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7423763.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Window of opportunity' in Burma 'Window of opportunity' in Burma
(20 minutes later)
A 'window of opportunity' for political progress in Burma now exists, a former UN official has said.A 'window of opportunity' for political progress in Burma now exists, a former UN official has said.
Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, the former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, told the BBC that the cyclone crisis had helped achieve more active dialogue with the junta. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, told the BBC that the cyclone crisis had helped achieve more active dialogue with the junta.
On Tuesday pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest was renewed. On Tuesday pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest was renewed. Foreign donors condemned the decision but acknowledged that the donation of aid wouldn't be affected by it.
Foreign donors condemned the decision but acknowledged that the donation of aid wouldn't be affected by it.
Mr Pinheiro pointed out that the international relief operation could have positive ramifications for Burma's future democratic development.Mr Pinheiro pointed out that the international relief operation could have positive ramifications for Burma's future democratic development.
But he said this would depend on "the capacity to transform this humanitarian dialogue into a dialogue for transition".But he said this would depend on "the capacity to transform this humanitarian dialogue into a dialogue for transition".
He acknowledged that "terrible obstacles" to progress still existed inside the junta which he described as paranoid.He acknowledged that "terrible obstacles" to progress still existed inside the junta which he described as paranoid.
Local donorsLocal donors
A French ship carrying humanitarian supplies for Burma docked in Thailand on Wednesday.A French ship carrying humanitarian supplies for Burma docked in Thailand on Wednesday.
The regime has prohibited the direct delivery of aid by foreign governments, so the United Nations will distribute the ship's supplies.The regime has prohibited the direct delivery of aid by foreign governments, so the United Nations will distribute the ship's supplies.
Map of the cyclone zoneWill Burma keep its word on aid?Burmese anger at junta But the Burmese government has said that local donors are free to take aid directly to cyclone victims.Map of the cyclone zoneWill Burma keep its word on aid?Burmese anger at junta But the Burmese government has said that local donors are free to take aid directly to cyclone victims.
State media said individual volunteers could go to any cyclone-hit areas and hand out supplies freely.State media said individual volunteers could go to any cyclone-hit areas and hand out supplies freely.
In recent weeks the authorities have been stopping private donors and taking their supplies for the army to distribute.In recent weeks the authorities have been stopping private donors and taking their supplies for the army to distribute.
Some people inside Burma have described to the BBC News website their difficulties in distributing aid to the cyclone-affected areas.Some people inside Burma have described to the BBC News website their difficulties in distributing aid to the cyclone-affected areas.
On Burmese man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said his colleagues were prevented from distributing aid on 24 May.On Burmese man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said his colleagues were prevented from distributing aid on 24 May.
"They were arrested on the way back to Rangoon...They needed to leave their trucks with them [the authorities]," he said."They were arrested on the way back to Rangoon...They needed to leave their trucks with them [the authorities]," he said.
Others, though, say have managed to send aid down south in the past week.Others, though, say have managed to send aid down south in the past week.
Meanwhile, international donors at a conference on Sunday pledged nearly $50m (£25m) to help relief work in Burma.Meanwhile, international donors at a conference on Sunday pledged nearly $50m (£25m) to help relief work in Burma.
The amount pledged in aid was substantially less than the $11bn sought by the Burmese government, but some donors said money depended on foreign aid workers being allowed access to the Irrawaddy Delta disaster zone.The amount pledged in aid was substantially less than the $11bn sought by the Burmese government, but some donors said money depended on foreign aid workers being allowed access to the Irrawaddy Delta disaster zone.
At least 78,000 people have died as a result of the cyclone that struck three weeks ago. More than 50,000 people are still missing.At least 78,000 people have died as a result of the cyclone that struck three weeks ago. More than 50,000 people are still missing.