US ships carrying aid to leave Burma
Four US warships are sailing away from Burma
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Wednesday, 04, Jun 2008 12:45
US warships carrying aid for the victims of Burma's Cyclone Nargis have begun sailing away after the country's ruling military refused their help.
The US Navy announced today that it is to withdraw the four ships from Burma's waters after repeated attempts to reach the authorities were rejected.
The vessels are carrying helicopters, amphibious vehicles and water purifying equipment, all of which would be vital in providing relief for those affected by the devastating cyclone.
Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of US Pacific command, said in a statement that attempts to convince Burma's military to allow the aid to land were "refused each and every time".
"It is time for the USS Essex group to move on to its next mission," he added.
"I am both saddened and frustrated to know that we have been in a position to help ease the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people and help mitigate further loss of life, but have been unable to do so because of the unrelenting position of the Burma military junta."
More than 130,000 people are reported to have been killed or are missing following the cyclone.
The United Nations claims that 2.4 million people are without food and shelter and 1.1 million of them have yet to receive any form of foreign aid.