BURMA’S military ruler finally visited cyclone victims yesterday – as the country announced three days of mourning for the 78,000 dead.
Reclusive dictator Than Shwe, 74, was shown on state TV visiting the worst-hit areas in the southwest of the country.
His appearance came amid growing fury at the lack of aid for victims, including a ban on much foreign help.
One diplomat said: “It is not insignificant that he has been forced out of his lair.
“There are obviously some in the military who see how enormous this is and how wrong it could go without further support.”
An official newspaper also promised that the government would work with foreign agencies “to ensure that all relief funds and supplies reach the storm victims”.
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes visited the devastated Irrawaddy delta region yesterday and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be allowed in this week.
More than 56,000 people are missing since the storm on May 2 and 3, and 2.5million survivors desperately need help.
The cost of damage has been estimated at more than £5billion.
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