GVN WILL URGE BURMA TO ALLOW RELIEF TEAMS

UNCLAS HANOI 000538 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL BM VM SUBJECT: GVN WILL URGE BURMA TO ALLOW RELIEF TEAMS REF: STATE 48651 On May 8, poloff discussed reftel points on humanitarian response to Cyclone Nargis with MFA Asia II Department Section Chief Ta Duy Chinh. According to Chinh, the GVN thinks the presence of disaster relief teams in Burma is necessary and the GVN will encourage Burmese officials to allow access for such teams. Concerning a joint statement at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),Chinh said he could not comment without first seeing the text of a proposed statement. He did suggest, however, that if the statement addresses only the issue of humanitarian relief, it might be acceptable to the GVN. Chinh also suggested that the U.S. delegation to the ARF contact the GVN team directly in Singapore. The GVN has no medical or technical teams to send to Burma, but Chinh said the GVN would probably send some in-kind disaster assistance. MICHALAK