1:34 a.m.: U.S. launches first relief airlift to Myanmar after cyclone

May 12, 2008 01:34 am

— UTAPAO, Thailand (AP) — The United States has launched its first relief airlift to Myanmar for last week’s cyclone victims.
A military C-130 cargo plane packed with supplies left a Thai air force base Monday for Myanmar’s biggest city, Yangon. Two more air shipments are scheduled to land Tuesday.
Allowing the U.S. flight is a huge concession by Myanmar’s military government, which sees Washington as its enemy. The junta has also generally refused to allow international relief experts and slowed down aid delivery by the U.N. with red-tape.
Operation spokesman Lt. Col. Douglas Powell said the plane is unarmed. He said it is carrying U.S. government, not military, aid supplies including mosquito nets, blankets and water.