The United Nations told Myanmar that more aid could be coming its way if the country’s military rulers would allow more political freedom. “I did tell them if there is progress on the political front, then it’s possible to envisage a far broader response to the issues affecting the people of Myanmar,” Charles Petrie, the U.N. top development official in Burma, said. He accompanied U.N. undersecretary general for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari in a meeting with Myanmar’s government officials, the first of its kind in over two years. According to Petrie, Britain and five other European donors gave their assurance that they will give $100 million to help the country fight deadly diseases such as HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria if Myanmar cooperates better with the U.N. and other relief agencies. Ten months earlier, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria withdrew a $98.4 million grant to Myanmar due to restrictions on access. (Source: U.N. Offers Aid Incentives to Burma/Washington Post)
