Myanmar to allow all aid workers: UN Sec Gen

Bangkok, May 23: Myanmar's government has agreed to allow all foreign aid workers into the country, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after a meeting today with the country's top military ruler.

Mr Ban, who is in Myanmar to speed up international relief for victims of Cyclone Nargis, travelled to the capital Naypyidaw this morning and held talks with the country's top military ruler Senior General Than Shwe. ''I had a very good meeting with the Senior General and particularly on these aid workers. He has agreed to allow all the aid workers,'' Mr Ban said after the meeting, according to a UN press release.

The UN chief considers this a breakthrough as the Myanmar military government has agreed to let in foreign aid workers of all nationalities.

''He has taken quite a flexible position on this matter,'' Mr Ban was quoted as saying after the meeting which lasted more than two hours.

General Than Shwe also agreed to the UN request to use Yangon airport as a logistical hub for relief distribution, the UN Secretary-General told reporters accompanying him.

UNI