MANILA, Philippines - Myanmar, long a thorn in the side of its Southeast Asian allies, has again made them a target of criticism after its ruling junta shocked the world by blocking most foreign aid for desperate cyclone survivors.
Critics have accused the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, of doing little to persuade the reclusive country's military-led government to rapidly let in outside help particularly disaster experts. ASEAN is a 10-country bloc that includes Myanmar.
European Union nations have warned that the junta could be committing a crime against humanity by blocking aid intended for up to 2.5 million survivors grappling with hunger, loss of their homes and potential outbreaks of deadly diseases. - AP