19-05-08:Awesome HMS Westminister at 12 miles off Myanmar's coast .
International flotilla awaits Myanmar go-ahead By ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 16 minutes ago
BANGKOK, Thailand - Lt. Denver Applehans runs down the list of what's ready, almost within sight of Myanmar's cyclone-devastated shore.
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Four U.S. ships laden with 14 helicopters, two landing-craft vessels, two high-tech amphibious hovercraft and about 1,000 Marines — help that has been there for a week, prevented by the country's military junta from delivering aid.
"We are currently not providing any aid from the ships," said Applehans, a public affairs officer aboard the USS Essex.
A deal may be in the works, however, to allow the U.S. flotilla — and French and British ships in the same situation — to finally join in the relief effort after Cyclone Nargis.
Though extremely reluctant to allow foreign militaries into the devastated Irrawaddy delta, Myanmar's ruling junta appears to be weighing a proposal that would put Asian intermediaries in charge of ferrying aid from the ships to shore.
The ships are capable of providing a huge boost to relief operations for the more than 2 million people believed to be in severe need of help.
British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said the military regime was considering the arrangement, and said he was guardedly optimistic.
"I think if there were Asian partners able to transship into the delta area from ships, this may become an option," Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. Sunday. "I think you're going to see quite dramatic steps by the Burmese to open up."
During an emergency meeting in Singapore, Southeast Asia's regional bloc announced it would set up a task force to handle distribution of foreign aid for cyclone victims. Details remained sketchy, however.
The junta is under tremendous pressure to relent.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said over the weekend the cyclone is fast being surpassed by what he called a "man-made catastrophe" and warned that Britain would consider circumventing the junta if it continued to deny its people much-needed help.
He did not give details — though the possibility of air drops or direct landings ashore has been raised.
"We rule nothing out, and the reason we rule nothing out, is that we want to get the aid directly to the people," he said.
Britain currently chairs the U.N. Security Council, but resolutions to approve direct intervention in the delta were unlikely because China, Myanmar's biggest ally, has veto power and in the past has supported the junta against international pressure.
The Bush administration has been highly critical of the junta's handling of the disaster, but has tried to couple its outrage with diplomatic efforts out of concern the military rulers will shut off what little aid it is already allowing in.
In the meantime, the flotilla — made up of the USS Essex, USS Juneau, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Mustin — still waits.
The U.S. ships can produce more than 70,000 gallons of drinkable water per day and the Marines carry equipment capable of producing 5,000 gallons more per hour ashore. On the ships are more than 120 Navy medics, 12 doctors and three dentists.
Britain's Ministry of Defense has dispatched a Royal Navy frigate, the HMS Westminster, to stand ready to help Myanmar. It is stationed 12 miles off Myanmar's coast "and will remain there as part of the UK's humanitarian contingency plans," the government said.
It has a crew of 98 and is equipped with a communications facility, a Merlin helicopter, two sea boats, a doctor and a paramedic, the defense ministry said.
France, meanwhile, has an amphibious assault ship, Mistral, nearby.
French Defense Minister Herve Morin said French officials were still negotiating with Myanmar on delivering its cargo, adding that he hoped Myanmar allows "this important effort that France is making to save a population in distress."
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3:40
Tinzar Wint Kyaw_Don't do like this(TZWK in Bikini)by jimmytwooneone2,122,265 views
Excellent, HMS Chtham was in dock the other day at Chatham kent UK, nice vid mate!
tornadoandy 1 year ago
2:12 - armed with bicycles, too.
transonicbuoy1 1 year ago
technology huh, gone so far in such a short space of time.
imagine 20 years from now.
crazy shit
weeddegree 2 years ago
just shouting, if it is that strong as you said why don't you go directly to Burma!
yezarni01 2 years ago
Useless when they meet ground troops in Irrawaddy delta. Except for the missiles.....
Auntorious9 3 years ago
awesome!!!
gersing 3 years ago
Rest assured we were there to give aid to those who were in need, it's ashame they never received it.
AdamTC2504 3 years ago 2
No wonder the Burmese (Myanmar) military regime dare not let this kind of ship deliver any relief goods for the storm victims.
koko140872 3 years ago 2
cool ship
darwincollins 3 years ago