ONLY US$100 MILLION RECEIVED FOR MYANMAR'S CYCLONE RECOVERY

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, June 11 (Bernama) -- With only US$100 million received so far from
the required US$691 million, Asean is facing hurdles in post-Cyclone Nargis
recovery as some donor countries are holding back due to concern over Myanmar's
treatment of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

This was far less encouraging than the emergency and relief efforts after
the May 2 cyclone last year which received US$315 million in aid. (US$1 =
RM3.49)

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said donors who attended an informal
meeting here Wednesday did raise the issue of Suu Kyi and told him that they
were less enthusiastic to engage fully in the recovery plan.

"They said there might be some delay and they have reservations. The issue
(Suu Kyi) is not separate...but they did not say it will be (aid)
conditionally," he told a press conference after meeting 30 representatives from
25 donor countries, including the United States, Britain, Australia, Norway,
Sweden and the Japanese embassies, and the World Bank.

Asked if the donors wanted to wait for the outcome of Suu Kyi's ongoing
trial, Surin said they did not speculate that far, adding that the situation did
not help efforts being taken to raise funds and help the 2.4 million victims
under the PONREPP (Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan).

Suu Kyi, under house arrest for several years, is facing trial after an
American war veteran sneaked into her heavily-guarded house.

Her detention was to have ended last month, and many foreign countries
accused Myanmar of using the incident to prolong her detention.

After Cyclone Nargis hit Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions on May 2 and 3,
killing almost 140,000 people, Asean, together with United Nations and the
Myanmar Government established the Tipartite Core Group (TCG) to undertake and
coordinate massive relief efforts, following initial reluctance from the
military junta.

The PONREPP provides a framework for assistance for the international
community and outlines an indicative three-year recovery plan beginning January
this year, until Dec 2011, which provides for livelihood, shelter, education,
health, water, disaster risk management and environment.

Surin said donors also wanted full support, access and coordination from the
Myanmar authorities to deliver assistance to the delta region as relief workers
had encountered problems with application process.

"In the first six to seven months, the TCC worked very well, but after that
there was some reform in the office, which affected and delayed those who wanted
to come in and help.

"So, we want assurance from them as TCC was supposed to clear all backlog
and obstacles," he said, adding a report would be submitted to Asean
Foreign Ministers next month.

Surin also said that despite PONREPP having a mandate until 2011, the
Myanmar Government only wanted to commit itself until mid-2010 as they expected
a general election during that period.
-- BERNAMA